South African Integrated Programme of Action

The high level of VAWC is particularly alarming and continues to have a devastating and lasting effect on survivors. It also harms families across generations, as well as communities, and constitutes one of the key drivers of the HIV epidemic in the country. Violence undermines social and economic development, it reinforces intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequalities, and impedes progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP) and the realisation of human rights.

The proposed Integrated Programme of Action Addressing Violence Against Women and Children (POA:VAWC) is essential to address the root and underlying causes of violence and to strengthen the systems that respond to it. It provides comprehensive, multi-sectoral and long-term strategic interventions, emphasising government accountability, for ending violence.