THE Free State Department of Education has urged communities across the province to intensify efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) as South Africa marks this year’s edition of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
The campaign is running under the theme “30 years of advancing collective action to end violence against women and children”, reflecting three decades of national and global initiatives aimed at eliminating GBV and promoting safer, more inclusive communities.
Free State Education MEC Julia Maboya said her department remained committed to protecting learners and staff within the schooling system.
“As a department entrusted with shaping young minds, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering environments where learners, educators, support staff in our schools and ECD centres, officials and families are protected, empowered and respected,” she said.
The department has rolled out several interventions to prevent and respond to violence in schools.
These include training educators on prevention and reporting protocols, running school-based awareness and prevention programmes and partnering with various stakeholders to strengthen anti-GBV initiatives.
Maboya called on families, community leaders and civil society organisations to work with the education sector by reporting abuse promptly and supporting affected learners.
“We urge parents, caregivers, community leaders and civil society to partner with us in creating a culture of accountability and compassion by reporting cases of abuse with relevant authorities as soon as possible,” she said.
The department also appealed to learners, teachers and parents to help curb GBV by preventing and reporting cases of abuse, supporting survivors, especially learners, through school-based support systems and challenging harmful cultural practices that fuel violence.
Maboya said the department remains focused on ensuring safe learning spaces for all pupils.
“Together, we can build a South Africa where every child and every woman lives free from fear,” she said.
The national 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign runs annually from 25 November to 10 December.