According to the organisation, this GBV campaign was initiated in 1991 and coordinated by the Center for Women's Global Leadership. The campaign is celebrating its 31st anniversary in 2022.

In recognition of this campaign and to bring attention to GBV, Mustadafin will partner with various community organisations to utilise the 16 days to highlight this scourge that seems not to come to an end but is growing in communities.

During the 16 days, Mustadafin will host a programme that includes placard demonstrations on various main roads and marches to SAPS stations. Mustadafin's programme will also focus on men taking responsibility to support and protect children and women within their communities.

Statistics from Quarter One Crime 2022 / 2023 indicate that from April to June 2022, 855 women and 243 children were killed in South Africa. Over 11 000 assault GBV cases, with female victims, were opened with the police. A further 1 670 such cases involved children.

The director of the Mustadafin Foundation Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem says, "This year, our focus is not only on violence against women and children; we are focusing on men as well. We often overlook that everyone is susceptible to violence, regardless of gender or age. We deal with numerous violent cases throughout the year, be it women, men or children."

"Education remains the key focus of the Foundation and during the 16-days of Activism period, we will create more heightened awareness on domestic violence and other social ills, health and safety issues," Johnstone-Cassiem adds.

"We plea to all South Africans to advocate peace in their homes not only for 16 days but for 365 days. Without education, support and commitment, gender-based violence will not stop," concludes Johnstone-Cassiem.

Individuals can donate with the following number, 021-633-0010.

For more information, visit www.mustadafin.org.za. You can also follow the Mustadafin Foundation on Facebook.