THE LEGAL AID BOARD ENSURES JUSTICE FOR ALL DURING THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM CAMPAIGN
Press release 23 November 2007

THE LEGAL AID BOARD ENSURES JUSTICE FOR ALL DURING THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM CAMPAIGN

“We in the Legal Aid Board strive for A just South Africa in which the rights enshrined in the Constitution are promoted respected, defended, protected and fullfilled to ensure justice for all. We are commited to 365-days of no violence against children and women and urge all South Africans to commit to the same. We assist women and children with various types of legal matters, if they cannot afford the cost of their own legal matters. I urge women and children with legal needs to call your nearest Justice Centre to discuss your legal problems and see how they can be of help to you” said Ms Vidhu Vedalankar CEO of the Legal Aid Board.

“The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign provides added focus to ensuring such a vision. On 10th of December, the campaign will come to an end but the abuse will not and nor will efforts to protect the future leaders of South Africa”, said Vedalankar. It is the responsibility of every one of us to put an end to this violence.

Some of the measures taken by the Legal Aid Board in ensuring access to justice is a reality for all South Africans includes the introduction of children’s units at 13 of our justice centres across the country. Through our 99 service delivery points, 58 Justice Centres and 41 Satellitte Offices, the Legal Aid Board has represented over 350,000 people each year and 40,851 of these matters were involving representation of children.

Vedalankar continues to say that “each year the Legal Aid Board organises a programme of events across all its justice centres to raise awareness for the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. We continue to do so this year with specific interventions supporting the over-arching objectives of the campaign and we will, as a result be partnering with the Department of Community Safety for the launch at Duduza Thusong Service Centre, Ekurhuleni on 25 November 2007”.

“To ensure that we adopt a 365-day no violence attitude and we utilise the events to build and strengthen partnerships between civil society, government, the private sector, the media and parastatals so that we all commit ourselves towards fighting against all forms of violence. The Legal Aid Board paralegals and lawyers will be invited to advise the community members on how they can utilise the services we offer”, concludes Vedalankar.

The 16 Days of Activism commences on 25 November (International Day for No Violence against Women and Children) and it ends on 10 December (International Human Rights Day). The 16 day period is also marked by two other important international commemoration dates: International HIV/AIDS Day (01 December) and International Day for the Disabled (03 December).

For more information contact: Mpho Phasha
Communications: National Manager
Tel (011) 877-2000/082-603-4607
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it