South Africa tackles sexual violence

Campaigners are highlighting attacks on women and children

South African President Thabo Mbeki is backing a publicity campaign aimed at stamping out the growing problem of rape and attacks on women and children.

I pledge to expose, oppose and combat all violence against women and children wherever I encounter it

President Mbeki

Several other senior members of the ruling African National Congress have added their voice to the drive which will last 16 days.

The campaign reflects increasing public concern particularly over the harm being done to young children.

More than 20,000 child rapes were reported to the police in 2000, although correspondents say many more are believed to go unreported.

Convictions are secured in just 9% of all rape cases.

President Mbeki issued a rallying cry: "I pledge to expose, oppose and combat all violence against women and children wherever I encounter it."

Spate of child rape

The campaign began with a meeting of traditional and religious leaders opposed to the abuse of women and children.

It had been planned as part of a global effort to raise awareness about abuse against women.

But the Justice Department said that a recent increase of violence against children led to the campaign being extended to include children, particularly very young girls.

There has been a spate of baby rapes in South Africa, which has the highest incidence of Aids in the world.

Some traditional healers, or sangomas, advise people with Aids that sex with a virgin will cure them.

In one case highlighted by the South African press at the weekend, a two-year-old girl died from an infection after being sexually abused in March.

Her attacker was never brought to justice after a policeman examined her corpse and decided nothing was wrong, the Sunday Times said.

Figures from the South African Institute of Race Relations show that more than 20,000 murders and about 51,000 rapes occur in South Africa annually.