SADC has established appropriate structures, policies, and laws to prevent and eradicate Violence Against Women and Girls. SADC Heads of State and Government signed the SADC Declaration on Gender and Development in 1997 and it's Addendum on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence Against Women and Children in 1998. Furthermore SADC has developed a five year Strategic Implementation Framework on Gender and Development 2006-2011 that has specific action areas with targets for Member States and other stakeholders to address among other issues Violence Against Women and Girls.
It is, however, still very disturbing to note the increased cases of violence against women and girls within SADC Member States, especially in the form of rape, murder suicides, battering, child molestation and human trafficking. It is on this basis that SADC welcomes the Theme of this year's International Women's Day which is 'Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls'.
