1. PRESENTATION TO WOMEN’S CAUCUS: INTEGRATED PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POA ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (POA-VAWC; 2013/18) 31 AUGUST 2017

2. Outline of the report Background Pillars of the programme
Progress on POA-2016/17
DSD Plans for POA -2017/18
Challenges on implementation POA
Way forward and recommendations

3. BACKGROUND
An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Violence against women and children (VAWC); which is led by the Department of Social Development, was established on the 3rd May in 2012.
The IMC on VAWC comprised of seven (7) state departments, namely DSD, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development; the then Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities; Home Affairs; South African Police Services and Basic Education and were tasked with a responsibility to investigate the root causes of violence against women and children with the objective to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the scourge of violence against women and children and look into the root causes of VAWC.
The work of the IMC on VAWC also culminated to the diagnostic review to ascertain the state’s response to violence against women and children (VAWC) by reviewing both the institutional and programmatic mechanisms by which the state addresses VAWC.
The IMC also conducted a study on the structural determinants on causes of violence against women and children. DPME developed M&E framework for the POA

4. BACKGROUND…
An integrated Programme of Action (POA-VAWC; ) was developed.
The aim of the POA is to eliminate of all forms of violence against women and children.
The programme is an important foundation in a longer journey to realize the long term vision of all women and children living free from violence in South Africa.
The framework for the realization of this vision is articulated in the three pillars namely 1.Prevention and 2.Protection, Response, as well as 3.Care and Support.

5. THE PILLARS OF THE PROGRAMME
The Elimination of all forms of violence against women and children
PREVENTION
PROTECTION
and
RESPONSE
SUPPORT
CARE
and
Advocacy and Communication
Legislation and Policies, Governance and Accountability, Intersectoral Collaboration and Coordination, Capacity- Building, Human Resources and Finances, M&E and Research.

6. INTERGRATED PROGRESS FOR 2016-2017

7. Progress on Pillar 1. 2016/17 1. 365 Days Action Plan
Prevention programmes
Progress
Future Plans
Days Action Plan
A successful Service Excellence Awards Gala dinner was held .on 29th November 2016 in Gauteng as an event of the 16 Days of activism campaign. Attended by 200 people. 22 Shelters received Services Excellent Certificates.
Victims Rights Week (September) commemorations reached about 3000 members of communities.
Establishment of Everyday Heroes change agents in provinces. Trained 280 change Agents in the 9 provinces.
Empowered 420 DSD provincial officials on the Sexual Offences Training Manual and Sexual Offences Act to provide effective services to victims of violence and GBV.
Trafficking in Persons awareness activities reached 460 people between 2014 and 2016.
GBV Dialogues and awareness activities on Prevention of Violence at Institutions of Higher Learning also held from 2016 reached 2000 students in Grahamstown
Dialogues conducted with LGBTQI community in all 9 provinces with 240 participants.
Conducted dialogues with men to participate and engage them on issues of Men As Positive Role Models in the prevention of GBV. Reached a total of 850 men in four provinces i.e. Free State, W Cape, KZN and Gauteng.
Child protection initiatives are implemented including capacity building of staff and strengthening of systems
Continuation with 16 Days Gala Dinner approach and extend it to the JCPS cluster.
Replication of the Everyday Heroes change agents model in communities.
Continuation with observation of Orange Day on the 25th of each month.
Continuation with Community and stakeholder dialogues activities.

8. Progress on Pillar 1 by DSD
Prevention & Early Intervention Strategy (as a first step in prevention of violence against children) has been developed and approved in order to build and strengthen resilience of children and families.
In the financial year 2016/17 provinces were supported to develop own provincial strategies.
In addition, provinces were guided to develop intersectoral protocol for reporting, referral and feedback systems between service providers
The protocol ensures effective management of reported cases of child abuse neglect and exploitation and track progress on interventions.

9. Progress on Pillar 1 (cont…)
DSD in collaboration with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development conducted SA Child Protection Surveillance Study Project finalised the research by July 2016.
The study provided a better understanding of the extent and dynamics of child abuse, neglect and exploitation which would result in a more responsive and effective child protection system in South Africa.
The study generated accurate and reliable data on the incidence of child abuse, neglect and exploitation. This data has been missing in a number of national instruments such as child care legislation, policies and strategies.

10. Progress on Pillar 1. 2016/17 DSD & DoJ&CD
Prevention programmes
Child Protection Week with children’s dialogues as built up activities to the official and closing ceremonies.
Children’s Parliament
Human Trafficking week
16 Days on no violence against women and children
National Children’s Day
Orange Day Observed on the 25th of each month.
Parenting programmes
Fatherhood and Men’s Care programme
Awareness Campaign against Ukuthwala in the following provinces –Free State, Eastern Cape, KZN and Limpopo.
Working with Municipalities in collaboration with SALGA and Cooperative Governance in popularising Child Friendly Community Framework.
Dialogues against Intimate Femicide held in KZN, GP, NC and FS- reaching 800 women
Ndabezitha Izimbizo against Domestic Violence in Rural Communities of Ga-Mphahlele- LIMP; Peddie- EC; eDumbe- KZN; Batlokoa Ba Mokgalong (Vrede)- FS; Sokhulumi (Bronkhorstspruit) GP
Prevention of Violence at Institutions of Higher Learning
Establishment of Everyday Heroes Ambassadors in provinces as change agents
Consultations in all provinces with Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersex community.
Let’s Talk Justice: Live Your Rights- reaching 65 community radio stations having a total listenership of 1.4m people. Topics covered were on Sexual Offences, Domestic Violence Safety Planning, National Register for Sex Offenders, Cyberbullying and Sexting; Child drug abuse, etc.

11. Progress on Pillar 1-Partner Dept.
Department of Justice and NPA
Department of Education
Department of Transport
Department of Home Affairs
Court support and victim support: The Sexual Offences Courts offer a catalogue of court-based support services, which include:
court preparation services;
pre-trial and post- trial emotional containment services (offered by NPA);
intermediary services;
private waiting room service;
information services (in audio-visual, large font (for partially blind and older persons), braille, etc.;
private testifying services with dual-view CCTV system;
witness fee services.
The court accompaniment services are recognized and people who render these services are therefore entitled to witness fees.
Life skills
Life orientation
Strengthen school based aftercare to promote human rights.
Scholar patrol
Birth registration campaigns
Awareness campaigns on cybercrime and child pornography

12. Progress on Pillar 2. 2016/17 Response programmes Progress
Future Plans
Increase the number of people accessing the Gender Based Violence Centre as part of Implementation of the South African Integrated Programme of Action (POA) Addressing Gender-Based Violence PreIncrease the number of people accessing the GBVCC.
National Emergency Response team (NERT).
The GBV Centre enhanced its service accessibility specifically to people with disabilities through a Skype Line for members of the deaf community and an SMS Based Line for persons with disabilities. These were launched on 2nd December 2016 during the 16 Days of Activism.
The following numbers accessed the GBVCC services between November 2013 and June 2017: via telephone calls; through USSDs and 986 through SMSs.
1371 people reached in provinces between April 2016 July 2017 for immediate trauma counselling, psychosocial support to both individuals and family members and dialogues with entire community when need arises .
GBVCC to continue increasing coverage, strengthen and increase access.
NERT to continue with provision of emergency interventions in all GBV related incidences.
Provide immediate trauma counselling in institutions of higher learning.

13. Progress on Pillar 2.-Partner Depts.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
South African Police Service
Department of Health
Department of Home Affairs
During 2016/17, 11 sexual offences courts were established at high offending areas, and this brought the total of fully-operational sexual offences courts in the country to 58. In 2017/2018, DoJ&CD will be commencing with Phase 2 of the Sexual Offences Courts Project which require the establishment of 106 sexual offences courts over a period of 10 years.
Emergency removal of perpetrators and victims
Coordinate neighbourhood watch to prevent and urgently attend to crime.
Community patrol.
There are 1046 Victim Friendly Rooms at Police Stations
Immediate treatment to victims of rape.
Birth registration campaigns
Awareness campaigns on cybercrime and child pornography

14. SEXUAL OFFENCES COURTS- DoJ&CD
Prov
2013/2014
2014/2015
2015/2016
2016/2017
Name of
the Court
No. of Courtrooms
Name of court
No. of Court Rooms
Name of the court
Name of Court
No of Courts EC
Butterworth 1
Port Elizabeth 2 -
Tsolo
East London FS
Welkom
Bethlehem
Phuthadi
tjhaba
Bloemfontein 3 GP
Palm Ridge
Pretoria
Johannesburg
Pretoria North
Protea
KZN
Ntuzuma
Emlazi
Durban
Pietermaritz
burg
Mpu
Tonga
(Boschfontein)
Eestehoek
Masoyi
Secunda
Mhala
Limp
Lephalale
Mankweng
Sekgosese
Mokerong NC
Kimberley
Galeshewe
Upington
Colesburg
Barkley West NW
Potchefstroom
Schweize-Reneke
Mankwe
Moretele
Klerksdorp
Molopo
Taung WC
Wynberg
Parow
Atlantis
Thembalethu
Sub-Total 19 14 11
Total 58

15. Progress on Pillar 3 – 2016/17 Care & Support Progress Future Plans
National Strategy for Sheltering Services
White Door/Safe Spaces of Hope for victims of GBV.
Shelter Strategy developed and empowered 180 officials and stakeholders to render effective services to women in shelters.
Supported and strengthened 84 shelters for abused women and established 6 Khuseleka One Stop Centres. Thirteen (13) shelters for victims of human trafficking. Five (5) of the 13 shelters received CARA funding to strengthen security.
Established four (4) White Door/Safe Spaces of Hope for victims of Gender Based Violence in Total of White Doors nationally is 205 to ensure protection and safe space for abused women.
Monitor implementation of the shelter strategy
Establish additional five (5) White Doors per annum.
Mentoring and coaching and capacity building for shelter management.

16. Policy and Legislation-2016/17
VEP strategy and mapping of services finalised.
61 unemployed and retired social workers trained on VEP legislation to compliment services of social workers in the provinces.
Revised National VEP Policy
Developed and consulted on the draft Bill on Victim Support Services.
Bill was preliminary certified to be constitutional by the State Law in June 2016.

17. PLANS FOR

18. 1. 2017/18 –PLANS ON PILLAR I. (PREVENTION AND PROTECTION )
ACTIVITY
TIME LINES
National VEP Forum -Review of the POA-VAWC;
31 August 2017
Conduct 9 Provincial Inter-sectoral dialogues to review the POA (VEP Forums)
August 2017 to February 2018
Prevention of violence and Educational and Awareness campaigns on GBV in Institutions of Higher Learning
April 2017 –April 2018
Participated on the March against Violence at University of Johannesburg on the 21 April 2017 with more than 1000 students.
Ambassadors on Everyday Heroes to mobilise community members.
National Workshop June 2018
Provincial programme July 2017-March 2018.
Men as Positive Role Model in the Prevention of GBV.
National Men’s Day on 19 November 2017-Mpumalanga.
17 August 2017 build up dialogues in Gert Sibande, Mpumalanga

19. 2017/18 –PLANS ON PILLAR 1. (PREVENTION AND PROTECTION )
ACTIVITY
TIME LINES
DSD to partner with USAID on the Mass Media Campaign on the prevention of GBV and HIV through a sustained strategy to transform attitudes, practices and behaviours.
On 24 August 2017 GBV will be flighted four times during Rhythm City episode
Conduct 6 Provincial GBV Dialogues to educate and raise awareness on the scourge of violence against women and distribution of Memeza Personal Alarms
N Cape August 2017
E. Cape September 2017
W Cape – September 2017
Mpumalanga September 2017
KZN – October 2017
Gauteng October 2017

20. 2. 2017/18 –PLANS ON PILLAR 2. (RESPONSE )
ACTIVITY
TIME LINES
National Emergency Response Team (NERT) to continue to provide emergency interventions in all GBV related incidences.
April March 2018
GBV Command Centre to continue increasing coverage, strengthen and increase access to GBVCC. Increase partnership with stakeholders in the sector the marketing of the centre.
April March 2018
Provide immediate trauma counselling to institutions of higher learning.
April 2017-March 2018

21. 3. 2017/18 –PLANS ON PILLAR 3. (CARE AND SUPPORT )
ACTIVITY
TIME LINES
Establish 5 White doors /Safe Space
April March 2018
Mentoring and Capacitate emerging shelters for abused women.
April 2017 –March 2018

22. 4. 2017/18 –PLANS ON POLICY AND LEGISLATION
ACTIVITY
TIME LINES
Submit the draft Bill to Cabinet for approval and publication for public comments.
4th Quarter 2018
Submit the Policy to Cabinet for approval and publication for public comments.
3rd Quarter 2017
Presentation of the Policy to the JCPS AND Social Cluster Structures 1st and 2nd Quarter
2nd Quarter 2017

23. CHALLENGES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF POA
Departments and other relevant stakeholders continue to render services in silos resulting to lack of coordinated implementation and
Poor reporting from cluster departments
There is no dedicated personnel that renders specialised service such as trauma counselling
Limited budget

24. WAY FORWARD AND RECOMMENDATION
The Women’s Caucus to take note of the progress for 2016/17 and the plans for 2017/18 financial years.
It is recommended that the POA be aligned to the departmental APP’s and Operational Plans and to ensure planning and monitoring by the Department of Monitoring and Evaluation at Presidency. This will assist in improving reporting
Review the POA and vigorously consult the civil society organisations and all stakeholders for buy inn.