16 Days campaign 'is a waste of time'

The way in which the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign is run in South Africa, particularly the government's participation, has not impressed those whose job is to protect the vulnerable.

Yesterday was the start of the campaign, which ends on December 10.

"There is an urgent need to have an independent cost and benefit analysis of the campaign," said Joan van Nierkerk, of Childline.

"We're now in our 19th year of the campaign and we don't see a significant reduction in crimes against women and children. Could this money be better spent on evidence-based prevention and on response programmes?"

She said a comprehensive plan involving the government and civil society was needed for more effective prevention.

Professor Ann Skelton, director of the Centre for Child Law, said: "Though awareness-raising is always valuable, there is scepticism about how much money and energy goes into this campaign instead of into a concerted whole-year approach. Currently, organisations that deliver services to children are struggling to stay alive because of funding constraints."

A spokesman for the Department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Phuti Mabelebele, defended the campaign and the government's participation in it. She said the campaign has helped in respect of gender-based violence because it has made most communities and individuals aware of their rights: more cases are reported, harsher sentences are awarded to deter would-be perpetrators, victims are supported, and more effort and resources are being channelled into fighting the scourge.