Statement of the ANC Women`s League on the #Bring Back Our Girls Safely Program of Action
19 May 2014
This past Saturday, the ANC Women`s League convened a meeting in Johannesburg to provide a platform for all interested and concerned organisations to pledge their support to the campaign to bring back the Nigerian girls home safely.
This important gathering was attended by women`s organisations, civil society formations, religious and cultural organisations, interested individuals and progressive men`s organisations. As evidenced by our declaration, we were all united in our collective commitment to intensify efforts to mobilise the whole of society and the world behind this campaign.
Consistent with our declaration, we commit to join hands with all women across the world and in particular, from the African continent, to mobilise for the safe return of our children. Our actions are inspired by our firm conviction that injustice anywhere in the world must never be tolerated. Abuse of women and children anywhere in the world must be confronted with every might at our disposal. We have a duty to work relentlessly towards the total elimination of all forms of women and child abuse.
As the Women`s League, we are determined never to sit back or turn a blind eye while our girls` human rights are so blatantly and tragically violated. We commit to work with our women and men`s organizations to ensure solidarity with the people of Nigeria.
We reiterate the commitment we made in our declaration: We will continue to promote efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and children. We say: No to those who use our children as pawns in political and religious conflicts. We say: No to human trafficking.
The ANC Women`s League commit to solidarity with the women of Nigeria, both Muslims and Christians, in every effort to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped school girls. To this end, we will embark on the following programme of action:
Social Solidarity Petition
We reiterate our call to all South Africans, Africans and people across the world to sign our Social Solidarity Petition to unite behind this cause and campaign to "Bring Back Our Girls." The petition is available on the ANC and ANC Women`s League website, http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ancwl-bringbackourgirls-safely-now. We expect to receive petition until the 23rd of May 2014 at Luthuli House. The petition will be handed over to the Nigerian government on a date still to be confirmed.
Candle-lighting and lighting of flame of hope
This afternoon, the ANC Women`s League leadership, ANC NEC members and girl children will lead the process of candle-lighting at the Nigerian embassy and light the 230 flames of hope. The 230 flames of hope represent the number of missing children and will stay on until the safe return of our girls. Every afternoon and evening we will gather at the Nigerian embassy as members of the ANC Women`s League, girl children, progressive men and representatives of other structures of the mass Democratic Movement. We urge all South African to join us every evening at the Nigerian Embassy.
Moment of silence
We call all South Africans and the people of the world to join us as we observe a moment of silence, wherever they will be, on Wednesday, 21 May 2014, (let`s suggest time, say 12:00).
Mass Prayer Service Women Prayer Services
Starting this Thursday, 22 May 2014, we call upon all people to join a Mass Prayer Services in their various churches, stadiums and other venues. Every Thursday will be designated a day for Women Prayer Services. We urge all women of South Africa who gather every thursday for their regular women prayer services to observe a special prayer service for the Nigerian girls.
Mass sector activities from 21 to 23 May 2014
From the 21st to the 23rd of May, there will be picketing in selected public buildings led by Sisonke Men`s Sector and at police stations led by Men`s Group Action. In addition, there will be candle-lighting at selected places that will serve as shrines.. This programme will be led by Umkhamba Project. During this three-day period, the student movement will embark on activities such as picketing and marches at various institutions of higher learning. Women in Business, Traditional Leaders, and COSATU will participate in mass activities across all provinces. There will be mini marches by women, girls and progressive men selected places.
Africa Day (25 May 2014)
We urge all women of our country to use Africa Day to highlight the plight of Nigerian girls. On this occasion, as South Africans, we must reaffirm our commitment to the protection of all our children as well as the safe return of the kidnapped Nigerian girls.
Children`s Day (1 June 2014)
On Sunday, 1 June, the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities will utilise the official Children`s Day Event to draw national and international attention to the plight of the Nigerian children. On the same day, MDM structures will participate in prayer and picketing activities and also observe a moment of silence.
Call to action
We call upon all South Africans to join the ANC Women`s League and our partners in this campaign. We further call upon all Africans and the people of the world to unite behind the people and government of Nigeria to ensure that these innocent girls are returned home safely. We urge the international community to uphold its commitments to women`s rights, as well as commitments they have made to ensure the protection of girl children.
Together, we must do more than what we have been doing until now to ensure the safe return of our children. We call on our media to ensure that the plight of the children of Nigeria remain on our news diaries until their safe return. Let us spare a thought for these innocent children. We dare not fail them! Surrender to evil forces is not be an option.
Issued by the ANC Women`s League
Enquiries: Cde Edna Molewa (National Spokesperson): 076 462 5529
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| Nigerian school girls in the West African state. |
This past Saturday, the ANC Women`s League convened a meeting in Johannesburg to provide a platform for all interested and concerned organisations to pledge their support to the campaign to bring back the Nigerian girls home safely.
This important gathering was attended by women`s organisations, civil society formations, religious and cultural organisations, interested individuals and progressive men`s organisations. As evidenced by our declaration, we were all united in our collective commitment to intensify efforts to mobilise the whole of society and the world behind this campaign.
Consistent with our declaration, we commit to join hands with all women across the world and in particular, from the African continent, to mobilise for the safe return of our children. Our actions are inspired by our firm conviction that injustice anywhere in the world must never be tolerated. Abuse of women and children anywhere in the world must be confronted with every might at our disposal. We have a duty to work relentlessly towards the total elimination of all forms of women and child abuse.
As the Women`s League, we are determined never to sit back or turn a blind eye while our girls` human rights are so blatantly and tragically violated. We commit to work with our women and men`s organizations to ensure solidarity with the people of Nigeria.
We reiterate the commitment we made in our declaration: We will continue to promote efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and children. We say: No to those who use our children as pawns in political and religious conflicts. We say: No to human trafficking.
The ANC Women`s League commit to solidarity with the women of Nigeria, both Muslims and Christians, in every effort to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped school girls. To this end, we will embark on the following programme of action:
Social Solidarity Petition
We reiterate our call to all South Africans, Africans and people across the world to sign our Social Solidarity Petition to unite behind this cause and campaign to "Bring Back Our Girls." The petition is available on the ANC and ANC Women`s League website, http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ancwl-bringbackourgirls-safely-now. We expect to receive petition until the 23rd of May 2014 at Luthuli House. The petition will be handed over to the Nigerian government on a date still to be confirmed.
Candle-lighting and lighting of flame of hope
This afternoon, the ANC Women`s League leadership, ANC NEC members and girl children will lead the process of candle-lighting at the Nigerian embassy and light the 230 flames of hope. The 230 flames of hope represent the number of missing children and will stay on until the safe return of our girls. Every afternoon and evening we will gather at the Nigerian embassy as members of the ANC Women`s League, girl children, progressive men and representatives of other structures of the mass Democratic Movement. We urge all South African to join us every evening at the Nigerian Embassy.
Moment of silence
We call all South Africans and the people of the world to join us as we observe a moment of silence, wherever they will be, on Wednesday, 21 May 2014, (let`s suggest time, say 12:00).
Mass Prayer Service Women Prayer Services
Starting this Thursday, 22 May 2014, we call upon all people to join a Mass Prayer Services in their various churches, stadiums and other venues. Every Thursday will be designated a day for Women Prayer Services. We urge all women of South Africa who gather every thursday for their regular women prayer services to observe a special prayer service for the Nigerian girls.
Mass sector activities from 21 to 23 May 2014
From the 21st to the 23rd of May, there will be picketing in selected public buildings led by Sisonke Men`s Sector and at police stations led by Men`s Group Action. In addition, there will be candle-lighting at selected places that will serve as shrines.. This programme will be led by Umkhamba Project. During this three-day period, the student movement will embark on activities such as picketing and marches at various institutions of higher learning. Women in Business, Traditional Leaders, and COSATU will participate in mass activities across all provinces. There will be mini marches by women, girls and progressive men selected places.
Africa Day (25 May 2014)
We urge all women of our country to use Africa Day to highlight the plight of Nigerian girls. On this occasion, as South Africans, we must reaffirm our commitment to the protection of all our children as well as the safe return of the kidnapped Nigerian girls.
Children`s Day (1 June 2014)
On Sunday, 1 June, the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities will utilise the official Children`s Day Event to draw national and international attention to the plight of the Nigerian children. On the same day, MDM structures will participate in prayer and picketing activities and also observe a moment of silence.
Call to action
We call upon all South Africans to join the ANC Women`s League and our partners in this campaign. We further call upon all Africans and the people of the world to unite behind the people and government of Nigeria to ensure that these innocent girls are returned home safely. We urge the international community to uphold its commitments to women`s rights, as well as commitments they have made to ensure the protection of girl children.
Together, we must do more than what we have been doing until now to ensure the safe return of our children. We call on our media to ensure that the plight of the children of Nigeria remain on our news diaries until their safe return. Let us spare a thought for these innocent children. We dare not fail them! Surrender to evil forces is not be an option.
Issued by the ANC Women`s League
Enquiries: Cde Edna Molewa (National Spokesperson): 076 462 5529
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