Minister Lindiwe Zulu conducts outreach programme focusing on Youth Development and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, 30 to 31 Mar

The Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will from 30 March- 31 March 2021 conduct a follow up outreach programme focusing on youth development and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in Pietermaritzburg, Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Minister Zulu visited the area in 2020 as part of the 365 Days of Action Against GBVF, with specific focus on areas identified as hotspots across the country. The aim of the outreach is to mobilise young people to play their part as agents of change in promoting a culture of respect for human rights, gender equality and prevention of gender-based violence, which has reached epidemic proportions in South Africa.

The most recent crime statistics released by the South African Police Service (October-December 2020) revealed a 5% increase in reported sexual offences in the midst of COVID-19 national lockdown. Part of Minister Zulu's outreach will include interaction with local police to get a briefing on police response at Plessieslaer, which is one of the 7 GBVF hotspots in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The aim of the interaction is to support and encourage police who are in the frontline of the criminal justice system to play their part in prevention and response measures and better serve the needs of victims/survivors. Minister Zulu is a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) established by President Ramaphosa to expedite the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF (2019-2024). Social Development is responsible for Pillar 4 of the NSP: response, care, support, healing and empowerment of victims/survivors.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover Minister Zulu's outreach programme, which is scheduled as follows:

Day 1: Tuesday, 30 March 2021

Dialogue with young women living and working on farms

Time: 08h00-09h30
Venue: Fernhill Hotel, Howick

Official launch of Umzansi Youth in Business Digital HIV and Resource Centres

Time: 10h00-11h00
Venue: Umzansi Youth in Business Centre, D1132 Zayeka Location Sweetwaters- Pietermaritzburg

Commemoration of the International Social Work Day

Time: 12h00-14h00
Venue: Pietermaritzburg City Hall, Pietermaritzburg

Bonfire conversation with youth and representatives of youth organisations in uMgungundlovu District Municipality

Time: 16h00-18h00
Venue: Ascott Inn, Pietermaritzburg

Day 2: 31 March 2021

10km Walk Against GBVF and Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Nelson Mandela's 1961 Address to the All-in Africa Conference

Time: 06h30-08h00
Venue: Plessieslaer Hall, Pietermaritzburg

Interaction with police management on response to GBVF

Time: 08h30-09h00
Venue: Plessieslaer Police Station, Old Main Road, Edendale-Pietermaritzburg

Women empowerment initiative

Time: 11h00-13h00
Venue: Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg

Visit to KhanyiTex and ribbon cutting for an ECD centre benefiting factory employees' children

Time: 14h00-15h00
Venue: Coveway Industrial Park, 18 Green Road, Elangeni-Hammarsdale

Media RSVPs may be forwarded to Ms Sharlene Naiker on 082 673 5849/e-mail: [email protected](link sends e-mail) and Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845/e-mail: [email protected](link sends e-mail)

Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or email [email protected](link sends e-mail)

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