President Jacob Zuma has launched national dialogues at the start of 16 days of activism of no violence against women and children.

Saying that solving these issues of abuse is now a government priority, Zuma wants women to speak up and report perpetrators to police.

“This campaign is about uniting all in our country behind one message, that women and children must be safe and must feel safe at home, in the streets and anywhere in the country,” he says.

The President has addressed many issues, but notes importantly that the economic status of women plays a massive role in catalysing abuse.

“Improving the economic status of women is also paramount in order to stop the financial and economic dependence on men, which makes many women vulnerable to abuse,” he notes. “Some women stay in abusive relationships because they are unemployed and depend on the perpetrator for shelter, food and all basic needs.”

While this does not, of course, apply to all abusive situations, Zuma says that empowering women will without a doubt help to address the violence.

“The promotion of education and training opportunities is important measures aimed at empowering women and promoting economic independence,” he explains. “Women also need access to business financing and credit so that they can establish small businesses or cooperatives to generate income.”

Citing a real problem in the workplace, Zuma says that women need to able to excel without the constant threat of sexual harassment. “The workplace must be made safe for women so that they can perform and be productive in an environment conducive for work,” he says.

Zuma also highlighted other issues, including violence against LGBTQ minorities and sexual assault by teachers in schools.

Government has lined up dialogues on such issues all over the country in a desperate attempt to curb a severe problem in South Africa.

“Let me emphasise that this campaign should not run for 16 days only,” he asserts. “Let us build a society where women and children are safe, and feel safe.”

Some observers, however, have highlighted the irony of Zuma fronting this type of campaign, given his history with sexual violence.

The Number One was, of course, cleared of charges after being accused of raping Fezile "Khwezi" Kuzwayo, a women's rights activist who passed on earlier this year.

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