Ramaphosa: 'Root of gender-based violence are sexist and patriarchal attitudes'

Ramaphosa officially launched the 16 Days of Activism campaign in Limpopo on Monday, themed “Enough is Enough: 365 days to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)”.

The president delivered the keynote address at the Victim Support Centre at the Witpoort Police Station. 

READ: Newswatch Special Focus: #16DaysOfActivismNewswatch Special Focus: #16DaysOfActivism

The president challenged the justice system to uphold stringent sentences against those who commit crimes against women and children.

"Life sentence should mean life sentence, it should not mean that you go and  serve for five years and thereafter you come out and you do exactly same thing again."

"If you've raped women, you've killed women, yes you must go to prison and the key must be taken and thrown away somewhere, for you not to find it because you must serve your life sentence," Ramaphosa said. 

Ramaphosa says they are in the process of reforming existing laws around bail and sentencing. 

"At the root of gender-based violence are sexist and patriarchal attitudes."

"The national campaign that we are launching here today is aimed at raising awareness around the rights of women and girls, but also at changing the attitudes of men and boys."

"Far too many men and boys believe women are inferior, that they are the property of their husbands and fathers, and worse yet, that women and girls ‘deserve’ to be raped because of how they dress, the places they visit, and the friends they keep."

"This campaign will complement a wider 365-day, year-round education, awareness and prevention campaign that government will roll out in partnership with civil society."

"I will say it again – violence against women is not a problem of women, it is a problem of men. "

"Our message to those who abuse women has been abundantly clear: there is no place in our society for you," he said.