President Ramaphosa recently declared a ‘National 5-day period of mourning’ – from the 25th to 29th November 2020, for those victims of COVID-19 and Gender Violence. In solidarity with our communities, we encourage our members to support this initiative.

SCOUTS South Africa is a value-based youth organisation open to girls, boys, women and men. All members are respected, honoured and are given equal opportunities to lead, learn and grow into independent and productive citizens with sound morals and values. As part of our commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, children and youth have been encouraged to complete a number of actions towards achieving SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG 5 – Gender Equality.

To address SDG 3 during the COVID lockdowns, COVID-19 prevention and safety protocols were packaged in a COVID-19 Awareness programme in order to empower members to be informed and lead by example as our youth returned to school. Furthermore, members nationwide rallied to shared compassion and support with community members where possible.

Photo: supplied North West Region / social media

From the 25th of November to the 10th of December people around the world will come together to oppose violence against women and children as part of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign. An integral part of our youth programme and SDG 5 is to educate our young members in the specifics of their rights and responsibilities and the ways in which they can seek protection from any form of abuse.

We call on our members to stand in solidarity with those who lost their lives due to COVID-19 or Gender Based Violence, the two pandemics present in our country today.  During the ‘National 5-day period of mourning’ – from 25 November 2020 to 29 November 2000:

• Scouters are encouraged to include references to both COVID-19 and GBV in the opening and closing ceremonies of their meetings.
• National flags should be flown at half-mast.
• We encourage our members to wear a black band around their arm for the duration of the 5-day mourning period.

Standing together we can make a difference.

Gary Pienaar
Chief Commissioner

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