Stop Violence Against Women Bus Campaign – August 2009

Project Information
The KZN Network on Violence against Women in partnership with Project Concern International and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and other stakeholders hosted ”Stop Violence against Women Bus Campaign” in KZN.

The idea of the campaign was because we believe that violence against women is a huge problem that it has to be highlighted and awareness created at every opportunity. The Bus Campaign brought all partners and stakeholders together to promote and display their services and disseminate information to the public on a platform, such as this.

The objective of the bus campaign was to inform women on what their rights are and how they can go about accessing these rights. The bus campaign is only part of creating awareness on violence against women and the work that service providers do in highlighting women’s human rights.

These actions are not options, or privileges - these are women’s human rights. Violence against women is a problem for all of society, not just women. Therefore, taking a stand and addressing the silence that shrouds this scourge should involve everyone.

Although we call August, Women’s Month, violence against women should not just be confined to a calendar. We need to unite as communities, to mourn the loss of victims of domestic violence and recognize the brave survivors. But at the same time celebrate the progress being made with those who work towards ending violence against women.

Nature of the Problem
South Africa reports high levels of violence against women, which, at the very least, deny women their rights to life, safety and security, equality, and freedom of movement and association. Legislation is required that promotes and upholds such rights, with women, their families and friends needing to be made aware of such protective measures. This campaign aims to promote awareness on the relevant legislation and services in KZN for survivors of violence.

Content Within Which the Project is Developed
While SA does have some progressive legislation, women need to be informed about the content of these laws and how they can access their rights. Further to that, many women’s familiarity with their healthcare rights after rape or sexual assault is limited - particularly in relation to their access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent infection with HIV.

Strategies Intended in Implementing the Project
1. The campaign emphasised women’s rights to life, equality, freedom of movement and association and safety and security as set out in the Bill of Rights.
2. The campaign identified all pre-existing materials from partners already developed by organisations relevant to domestic violence, the DVA, sexual violence and maintenance. Two counsellors were part of the campaign to provide immediate assistance to those who request it.
3. The campaign was launched from the EThekwini Municipality City Hall (Mayor’s Office) and each stop along the route people were invited to get onto the bus, take materials, talk to organisational representatives on the bus. The bus also stopped at some taxi ranks, police stations and courts to enable organisational representatives to hand out materials and talk to people.
4. Mini-workshops were also run along the way as the bus moved from region to region with the assistance of the District task teams. The workshops educated and informed participants on issues around domestic violence, the DVA, maintenance, criminal justice system procedures and how to access them.
5. The media was invited to travel with the bus or cover its journey in other ways. Securing the involvement of local and community media was particularly important for ensuring that information reaches beyond those who boarded the bus or participated in the discussions.
6. The campaign included a range of stakeholders in the province. Where possible, staff from the various organisations in the regions was able to volunteer their time on the bus and run the mini-workshops at the various stops along the route.
7. The campaign ended with the bus arriving in Pietermaritzburg. Its final stop was at the Premier’s office and engaged provincial parliamentarians and the Gender Machinery on some of the issues raised by the communities visited during the course of the campaign.

Primary Beneficiaries Who Benefited from the Bus Campaign
The primary beneficiaries were women and young girls, particularly from rural areas, informal settlements and more marginalised areas of the province.

Overall Objectives
• Raise awareness around the relevant legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Offences Act, the Maintenance Act, Customary Marriages Act, Victim Charter and etc, all of which promote and uphold women’s right to safety and security, as well as potentially prevent further violence towards women.
• Promote women’s involvement in holding government accountable in terms of short comings in service delivery

Outcomes from the Campaign
• Mini-workshops held where the bus stopped in a community/region, ensured that a minimum of 500 women were reached in each community/region.
• At least 5000 people boarded the bus to receive information on the campaign.