My Wave: Women’s Month is viewed as patronising

SOUTH AFRICA continues to be an unsafe space for women with the University of Cape Town first year student, Uyinene Mrwetyana, having died after going missing more than a week ago.

She was another victim of gender-based violence. Uyinene was murdered at a post office which is situated next to a police station.

Her disappearance sparked mass campaigns on social media platforms, mainly Instagram and Twitter – accompanied by a hashtag #bringNenehome.

Women on various social media platforms also used this time to express their discomfort over the situation and it triggered a number of comments about the safety of the female body.

Nikita Temere tweeted: “Cape Town is really not safe. Just after leaving my res, two guys came and closed my eyes and mouth. I am just grateful my friends who were waiting for me from a distance screamed, I only have a few injuries on my back.”

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Temere continued tweeting: “I am so traumatised, I can’t even walk alone and I don’t want anyone walking close to me. I pray Uyinene comes home.”

Celebrities like Riky Rick and Khaya Dlanga also spread some awareness about Uyinene and Dlanga shared a distressing story about his friend being kidnapped in Port Elizabeth and raised a point about women being in constant danger.

“Is it not ridiculous that women can’t go about their daily business without living in constant fear? My women friends can’t even go to social spaces, ride Ubers and do basic things like go to the bathroom without living in constant fear.”

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According to the 2019 Women’s danger list, South Africa is ranked the worst country for a women travelling solo.

Corporate company’s and mainstream media should do more on women’s day/month than saying “you strike a women, you strike a rock,” and encouraging men to wear high-heels.

I asked three young women about how they feel about Women’s Month.

Stha Ngeleka: “I absolutely think it’s patronising to say that we have a month that celebrates women when in reality we’re a country that is so unkind to women. In this country I have a greater chance of being raped or killed by my male counterparts rather than earning the same salary or respect as them.”

Nasiha Khan: “Women’s month gets patronising when conglomerates use it to push their products onto us. For example, women’s month beauty sales. It’s all pretty counterproductive.”

Aaliya Basser: “Well, I think it is patronising. As much as it’s nice to have this token of appreciation, I believe it just distracts from the real problems, like prejudice in the workplace, in appointing a women to a leadership position. Also, it would be nice if men stopped killing, raping and abusing us.”

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