In efforts to fight crime and domestic violence in communities, Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza recently visited Saint Wendelins Catholic Parish in Pinetown to encourage women not to turn their homes into ‘nests’ for criminals.
Speaking at a Women’s Month commemoration event, MEC Khoza said that it was extremely worrying that women often know about the criminal activities led by their children in the community, but are not brave enough to expose them. She also made a passionate plea to mothers to destroy criminal nests.
“We are aware that the church has always been in the forefront in curtailing the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and we know that it is women who are always in the lead to fight against all forms of abuse and discrimination. We believe that once more they can always lead in dealing with any kind of crime. We don’t say they must confront criminals, but as women we can’t stay with criminals in our homes. We have to expose them,” said Khoza.
MEC Khoza also commended the church for always being a place of comfort for the vulnerable in the community.
“It is this Parish that opened a temporary shelter to house the needy. As government, we are grateful for that. As women, we are faced with a wide range of issues such as domestic violence, gender-based violence, child abuse, HIV and Aids, unemployment, gender discrimination as well as poverty. It is important that we have to work together with the government to change these unfortunate situations and the church is always involved by ensuring that such issues are dealt with,” she said.
Touching on teenage pregnancy, MEC Khoza also pleaded with the church to play its role in the reduction of teenage pregnancy in the province.
“These children are raped by their uncles, stepfathers and even biological fathers. We saw a drastic increase in teenage pregnancies during the lockdown. We want to see women exposing those who impregnate children. Those involved in this distasteful act must be charged with statutory rape,”she said.
In remembering the women of 1956, MEC Khoza paid tribute to more than 20 000 who marched to the Union Buildings on 09 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women.
“The freedom we are enjoying as a nation came through the blood and sweat of many people and women were at the forefront of the struggle against the inhumane conditions as the apartheid regime took their rights and dignity. The apartheid regime was known as a crime against humanity, it is on the same note that we call on women to reject any forms of crime. The apartheid regime had reduced all women to passive beings at the mercy of men. We cannot live in fear of being victimised at all times. Women cannot be subjected to inhumane conditions while living under a democratic dispensation,” concluded MEC Khoza.
