Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto has spoken out strongly against domestic violence, and called for a united effort to intensify the battle against it.

Speaking near Polokwane at a rally to mark the climax of the province's "Sixteen days of activism" campaign, the premier reaffirmed the status of women and children as equal citizens in their own country.

“This programme should continue to help raise awareness around gender-based violence as a human rights abuse, to ensure that survivors of violence are offered protection from those who can’t keep their hands to themselves and believe that the only way they can prove their manhood is by abusing defenseless women and children,” he said.

The premier said this form of abuse and violence against women and children had for many years destroyed the moral and social fibre of society, and the time had now come to boldly confront this monster.

“We should break the silence and speak out against this social malady; the continued abuse of our people increases health costs, keeps people from showing up at work, prevents them from performing at their best, keeps children out of school, and often prevents them from learning - it destroys families and relationships, and often prevents children from growing up to establish successful families of their own,” Moloto added.

He said laws alone were not enough, and everyone should be seen in action enforcing such laws. A respect and concern for human rights, including the rights of the child, as well as equality between men and women, must be at the core of a collective response to this anomaly. Only a dedicated, integrated and more inclusive approach, involving partnerships with government, would help bring about fundamental changes.

The Premier suggested that the education system should educate learners about the constitution, its Bill of Rights, and most importantly the implications and evils of women and child abuse.

“Wherever we are, day-in-day-out, we should let our families, friends, and peers know that they can save themselves and save the nation, by changing the way they live. We should use every opportunity openly to discuss the issue of violence against women and children,” Moloto said.