#WomensMonth: Durban unites against abuse

DURBAN is set to make a powerful global statement in August, Women’s Month, when women from around the world converge on the city in a unified stand against child abuse and gender-based violence.

Mrs Universe contestants from 84 countries will join NGOs, women’s groups, civil society bodies and the public for the #OneVoice march in the city centre on Wednesday, 30 August.

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Dressed in black and wearing a gold ribbon, the women will gather at King Dinizulu Park from 8am and make their way to the Durban City Hall at 10am to speak out in #OneVoice on behalf of the millions of women and children worldwide who have suffered, and continue to suffer, at the hands of their abusers.

In South Africa alone, official figures are alarming – pointing to a woman being murdered every eight hours by someone she knows. On a global scale, gender-based violence and violations against children are escalating despite intervention and prevention efforts.

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“The #OneVoice march taps into the theme for this year’s Mrs Universe event is ‘Empowering women. Creating change’. What could be more hard-hitting than women from all over the world, from different backgrounds and communities, speaking out in a collective voice against the scourge of women and child abuse?,” said Mrs Universe 2017 hosting director Africa and Durban, Tracey-Anne Aggett.

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