I believe that it is important to note that today's discussions take place nine days after the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children Abuse campaign.

Needless to say, this campaign is aimed at eliminating what is an antithesis to the very core of the humanism that so many have sacrificed so much to attain.

Notwithstanding the bountiful material gains yielded by our democratic dispensation, every day and in all corners of the land, some women and girls are still beaten, raped, psychologically tortured and/or killed.

Some of the victims are left with little hope of a better tomorrow. The perceived impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators is built, to a large extent, on the moral foundation of patriarchy, inequality and the persistent racial bigotry that our democratic dispensation still has to completely wipe out.

As a direct contribution to the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, the awakened men and women started community food gardens in Chia- welo for the victims of this heinous crime.

Also in direct support for the campaign, other community food gardens will be started tomorrow in Meadowlands. These projects are implemented working with the communities of Chiawelo and Meadowlands.

Naturally, we also participate in other provincially co-ordinated initiatives.