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Women and children Check out these ideas for the 16 Days of Activism.

Inform yourself about the issue of violence against women, a worldwide problem.

Break the silence - talk about violence against women and children at work, at home, in your faith- based organisation.

Wear a white ribbon from 25 Nov – 10 Dec to show your support for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

Support an organisation that cares for children.

Join a CPF (community policing forum).

Get help if you are an abuser or know an abuser.

Support an organisation assisting women who have experienced rape or domestic violence.

Go to the theatre.

Get counselling and support for women in crisis.

Contact Childline on behalf of a child you suspect is being abused.

Be a real man: support campaigns that promote no violence.

Celebrate the roles of good women and men in society.

Report violence against women and children and protect women who report it.

Train as an early childcare worker.

Write a letter to a newspaper.

Update your Facebook or Twitter status to a white ribbon or an encouraging comment.

Take the I am a Partner pledge.

Mentor a young girl in a children's home.

Volunteer at a Women & Children organisation.

Sponsor a child's education.

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    Woman and children

  • Inform yourself about the issue of violence against women, a worldwide problem.
    Take this quiz to find out how much you really know about this issue.

  • Break the silence - talk about violence against women and children at work, at home, in your faith-based organisation.
    Speak out about the issue at all levels, understand different types of violence – sexual, physical, emotional and find out where survivors can go for support and help. Changing entrenched attitudes towards gender is also necessary, specifically around behaviour stereotypes and the role of men. Churches could become more involved with practical care for survivors by working with partner organisations that specialise in medical, psychological, legal and financial support for survivors of sexual violence.

  • Wear a white ribbon 25 Nov – 10 Dec to show your support for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.
    A white ribbon symbolises peace, and signifies the commitment of the wearer to never perpetrate or condone violence against women and children, and to speak out about violence whenever they see it. Find out more about the 16 Days of Activism.

  • Support an organisation that cares for children.
    There are plenty of organisations caring for children that need support. Check out children's groups on forgood, such as Iris House Children's Hospice and Oasis Haven.

  • Join a community policing forum (CPF).
    The community and the local police stations are active partners in ensuring local safety and security. The goal is to reduce crime by launching crime-prevention projects in partnership with the local community. You may want to also become a reservist, a member of the community who volunteers his/her services and time to support local policing efforts to fight crime. For more info, contact your local police station.

  • Get help if you are an abuser or know an abuser.
    If you are emotionally, physically or sexually abusive to your partner and/or children, seek help as soon as possible. The same counts if you know of someone who is an abuser. Many people live in fear daily, thinking nobody will help. You can make a difference. Call the Stop Gender Based Violence helpline (0800 150 150).

  • Support an organisation assisting women who have experienced rape or domestic violence.
    Connect with women's organisations working with vulnerable individuals and provide financial and/or moral support for their work. If you have the means, consider hosting a fundraiser for an organisation with a proven track record of working with survivors of sexual violence.

  • Go to the theatre.
    The performing arts play a huge role in promoting anti-violence messaging. Showing at the Market Theatre from 24 November, and then later at 18 venues in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West, is a play written by Jerry Mofokeng, on violence against women, followed by discussion at the end of each performance. For enquiries, contact tlokeng.hutamo@bydesignafrica.com.

  • Get counselling and support for women in crisis.
    There are a number of support lines for women who need support:
    o National Crisis Helpline (Lifeline) 0861 322 322
    o Stop Gender-Based Violence Helpline 0800 150 150
    o People Opposed to Women Abuse 011 642 4345
    o Family and Marriage Society of South Africa 012 460 0733
    o National Network on Violence Against Women 012 321 4959

  • Contact Childline on behalf of a child you suspect is being abused.
    One of the best resources for children in need is Childline. Contact them toll-free on 0800 055 555.

  • Be a real man: support campaigns that promote no violence.
    Real men protect the ones they love. Get involved in initiatives such as Brothers for Life or Men as Partners Project - or call them on 011 833 0504. Men and boys who believe in gender equality can be important allies to end violence against women and girls. Invite the men and boys you know to attend 16 Days events with you and ask them to share their ideas about how to be real men. For more ideas, visit the White Ribbon Campaign or the MenEngage Alliance.

  • Celebrate the roles of good women and men in society.
    Having positive role models and hearing success stories about peaceful activism are crucial for the growth of our movements. During this year's 16 Days Campaign celebrate the positive role models in your life and share your stories and photos about women and men making a difference for good.

  • Report violence against women and children and protect women who report it.
    Women often don't report intimate partner violence, either because they are fearful or lack access to the police or the justice system. Governments must ensure that criminal justice systems encourage women to report violence in the home, provide support for them when they do, and penalize the perpetrators.

  • Train as an early childcare worker.
    Not everyone can do this, but if you are compassionate and caring, this would be a great way to give back to people who need it. Organisations such as Right to Care and Masikhule Childcare offer training in this area.

  • Write a letter to a newspaper.
    The typical response to women who have been abused is often not filled with compassion. So make it your mission to fight for a more compassionate response, and get others to join you. Make use of local community newspapers as well as letters to the editor.

  • Update your facebook or Twitter status to a white ribbon or an encouraging comment.
    Post a relevant status update or tweet about your stand on gender-based violence.

  • Take the I am a Partner pledge.
    Be a man who cares – and acts. Resolve to protect those you love by taking the I am a Partner pledge.

  • Mentor a young girl in a children's home.
    Children's homes can provide the day-to-day food and shelter the child needs, but often they need support for advice on things such as subject choice, life decisions or work experience. Contact a children's home near you or one such as Strathyre Girls' Home and offer to bring a girl child to work for a day, or to embark on a longer-term mentoring relationship.

  • Volunteer at a Women & Children organisation.
    All charities and organisations need extra hands. Use your hands to help them with the amazing work that they are doing in the community.

  • Sponsor the education of a child.
    Education can unlock the door to a brighter future. By sponsoring a good education, you can change the life path of a child in need. Groups such as Bokamoso Education Trust can facilitate this process.


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