The DBE has committed to intensify its efforts towards eradicating the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) within classrooms, schools and communities. Although the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign wrapped up on 10 December, the Basic Education Sector will continue to ensure safe learning environments for learners and educators beyond the commemoration.

The DBE, together with UNESCO, commemorated the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign at Madimbo Primary School, Vhembe East District in the Limpopo Province on 27 November 2024. This event served as a platform for raising awareness about issues related to violence against women and children, emphasising the importance of collective action and responsibility in addressing these societal issues. The DBE highlighted the sub-theme: “Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is a serious scourge, and we cannot remain silent any longer, empowering learners is key”.

The DBE also hosted a Men’s Day commemoration event at the Department’s Conference Centre on 6 December to observe International Men’s Day. A men’s dialogue was facilitated for intensified discussions and sharing of strategies on how to strengthen efforts towards creating a safe environment for women and children within communities.

Mr Likho Bottoman, Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, explained that, “with the release of the Diagnostic Reports on academic performance in South Africa on 4 December 2024, there is a phenomenon of underperformance of boys, with girls outperforming boys in many assessment aspects. There is also additional empirical evidence about boys’ disengagement in education and the vulnerability of boys to school dropout, psychosocial wellbeing issues and school violence. The Sector has therefore taken a strategic decision to observe 16 May 2025 as the International Day of the Boy Child to consolidate the concerted effort to foreground and frontload issues of adolescent boys and young men to enforce positive masculinity. International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on 11 October.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign commenced on 25 November until 10 December 2024, under the theme: “30 Years of advancing collective action to end violence against women and children,’’ which focuses on prevention and economic empowerment to foster financial independence and resilience.