With the support of organisations like Merck Pty (Ltd), in the fight for a world where women and children are safe, this seemingly unattainable goal could become a reality. Supporting this notion and in recognition of "16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children", Merck sponsored an awareness day, hosted at the Alexandra Health Centre at the beginning of December, 2010. The alignment of Merck with this social responsibility initiative was a natural fit for this is a company invested not only in pharmaceuticals but in people and in total wellness; it operates with a view to enhancing the lives of its consumers so that they can live to their full potential.
The overarching objective of the event was to generate and increase awareness of the plight of the many women and children in the community. The well-supported event incorporated presentations from influential members within the community, highlighting that whether psychological or physical, women and children who are subjected to terrible forms of violence are left traumatised and unable to realise their full potential and participation in public life. The event placed further emphasis on how gender-based violence acts as a barrier to solving societal challenges such as extreme poverty, prostitution, teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS pandemic.
"South Africa unfortunately is still home to unacceptably high levels of violence against its women and children," says Merck senior marketing manager, Rina McKellar. "This campaign directly challenges the citizens of Alexandra to declare a respite on acts of violence towards women and children. The ultimate goal of course, is to make this truce a permanent one."
Slow-Mag and Multibionta were just two of the Merck Consumer Healthcare (CHC) brands represented at the event, and product was distributed with the aim of enhancing the wellbeing of the community and guests who attended the event.
As a national campaign "16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children" takes place annually from November 25 (International Day of No Violence against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). These specific dates were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and children as a pervasive human rights violation, which does not respect geographic boundaries, affluence, race or ethnicity.
In support for the campaign, Merck urged the community of Alexandra to wear the official white ribbon - a symbol of peace - to demonstrate visibly and publicly their pledge to never commit or condone violence against women and children.
