The South African Government runs a parallel campaign that includes issues relating to violence against children. This campaign focuses primarily on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children.
The white ribbon is a symbol of personal and organisational commitment to the eradication of violence against women and children.
Historically, TFG CSI has supported the 16 Days of Activism and this is the 5th year that they have supported this initiative. This year, in conjunction with media partners; SAfm, City Press, GreaterGood SA and MXit and sponsors, Anything Goes Video Production and Flat Stanley (who have given The Foschini Group CSI full rights to use their track ‘Song for the Broken Hearted'), the concept is to run a campaign that is focused on securing media exposure for Non-Profit Organisations (NPO's), whose primary mandate is to support all victims of abuse.
Sixteen short listed NPO's that meet the required CSI criteria also receive a R20,000.00 donation towards their work from TFG CSI, i.e. 16 days, 16 charities.
The rationale behind this interactive campaign is that there are a large number of NPO's that are not widely recognised or acknowledged for their support of victims of abuse. By assisting them in increasing their exposure to the public, the campaign aims to build their profiles and to kick start support by providing the R20,000.00 donation.
Senior HR Manager for CSI and Wellness of The Foschini Group, Karde Buys says, “We have chosen NPO's with programmes that have a focus on helping victims get justice. In particular the Cape Mental programme which helps mentally handicapped victims”.
The message of The Foschini Group CSI this year is: 16 CHARITIES, 16 DAYS - SPEAK UP. SPEAK OUT. STOP ABUSE NOW, which runs parallel to the Government message; DON'T LOOK AWAY, ACT AGAINST ABUSE.
Says Neo Tsele, Manager of the 16 Days of Activism Secretariat says, “The rights of women and children are fundamental human rights entrenched in and protected by the Constitution. They are thus inalienable from, integral to and indivisible from the human rights framework. Gender-based violence in all its different guises is incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person, and must be eliminated. Hence, the call to society is “Don't Look Away, Act against Abuse.”
This year's campaign focuses on a call for all sectors of society to join the growing movement against the violation of children and women's rights. The 16 Days Campaign will launch in the form of a national stakeholder's conference that will look into strengthening the work of NGO's and NPO's, victim support centres, and community based organisations. The campaign will advocate for a focus on moral regeneration, young women, men, the aged, the disabled, mothers and the mobilisation of traditional leadership against the abuse of cultural practices to justify abuse”.
Listen to Otherwise with Nancy Richards on SAfm (104-107) each weekday at 13:05 for interviews with each of these organisations. Get your copy of City Press newspaper each Sunday from 22 November to 13 December or visit
www.citypress.co.za to read more about NPO's that are taking real action against abuse. Visit MXit's Bandit portal for videos (from Anything Goes), the campaign ringtone (from Flat Stanley) and to find out more information in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Abuse Campaign. Upload a blogger badge to your blog or website. Click on the ‘Blogger Badge' link on the TFG 16 Days webpage and download the 16 Charities, 16 Days badge of your choice to support and spread awareness of the campaign.
