The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), a civil society organisation in the North West, has expressed strong support for renewed and strengthened crime prevention efforts aimed at ending gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the country.
The endorsement follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Address, in which he outlined the government’s renewed strategy to combat the abuse and killing of women and children.
According to MRM Convener Pastor Lesiba Kgwele, effective crime prevention is key to creating safer communities.
“Our hope and humanity must translate into well-knit, peaceful communities capable of rejecting lawlessness in all its manifestations. This can only be realised when our women are safe inside and outside their homes, on our streets and in our neighbourhoods, and perpetrators of GBVF are behind bars without the option of bail and/or parole,” Kgwele said.
He further emphasised the importance of collaboration between government and key stakeholders.
“This will ensure that grassroots initiatives are coordinated and viable structures are launched. Partnerships with civil society organisations, churches, youth, women’s and men’s organisations, social clubs, faith-based organisations and traditional leaders must be strengthened for impactful and sustainable programmes,” he added.
The MRM also called for increased support for judicial services and Thuthuzela Care Centres, saying such measures would help ensure access to justice and protect victims from further harm.
In conclusion, the movement urged the National Dialogue to facilitate an extensive discussion on the impact and perpetuation of abuse in the country.
