Attend Sisters with Blisters protest walk
MAGALIESSIG – Read to find out how you can become a part of this protest walk.
In a bid to raise awareness against women and children abuse; sisters, ‘misters’, children and four-legged friends are set to unite at Montecasino on 26 November.
This for the 11th annual 1st for Women, Sisters with Blisters protest walk in partnership with Jacaranda FM.
Violence against women and children is seen as a social tragedy which transcends political, religious and economic boundaries.
“More can and must be done to highlight this injustice. Every case of a woman being abused is a case too many. Too many survivors continue to suffer in silence and it is our joint responsibility to do whatever possible to change this,” said spokesperson for 1st for Women Insurance and the 1st for Women Foundation, Casey Rousseau.
She added that the country had one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world and the Department of Justice estimated that one out of every four South African women were survivors of domestic violence.
“Between 2014 and last year, it was estimated that 563 841 sexual offences occurred, but only 62 649 sexual offences were reported. [A total of] 8 174 of these sexual offences cases went to court, and only one per cent of the perpetrators got jail time for their horrendous crimes,” Rousseau said.
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Every year from 25 November to 10 December, the world turns its attention to the plight of abused women, Rousseau added. “Much is done during this brief time to raise awareness with efforts to expose the social tragedy and campaign for equality. A bruise can heal in 16 days, but for the survivors of abuse, the veiled emotional scar lasts a lifetime.
“The protest will be the largest peaceful protest of its kind – a chance for men, women and children to come together, walk as one and make our collective voices heard. There is strength in numbers and with that strength comes power, the power to make a difference.”
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Sisters with Blisters marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign. All proceeds raised will be donated to two organisations that make an active and practical difference to the lives of those affected by abuse – Men and Women against Child Abuse and the Centre for Community Justice and Development.
