25 November 1999
The South African Communist Party expresses its full support for the ‘No Violence Against Women’ Campaign. While today marks the international day of ‘no violence against women’, the ’16 days of activism’ being launched in South Africa provides an excellent opportunity to carry forward this most central and important struggle.
As the SACP, we welcome the passage of the new Domestic Violence Act and the involvement and initiatives of government and numerous activist and advocacy organisations, in launching a campaign that lies at the heart of our common struggle to overcome the social and economic problems that beset our society. It is no mere coincidence that the majority of gender violence is perpetrated against working class and poor women. The pervasive and negative effects of capitalist-induced poverty are directly linked to the levels of violence against women. These twin evils must be tackled simultaneously.
We call on all our members and communities to be part of the campaign activities, but also to take this struggle further by pro-actively becoming involved in exposing and halting all forms of violence and abuse against women.
Blade Nzimande SACP General Secretary
Issued by the SACP Department of Information & Publicity
E-Mail: sacp1@wn.apc.org
South African Communist Party Head Office
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
(Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2)
(Fax: 27 11 339-4244)