Women march against abuse of women and children abuse

The event was held under the theme “A Conscious, Service Delivery Driven ANC Caucus”.

Nozipho Mabuza the convener of ANC Women’s Caucus said the purpose of the march was to express and affirm the dignity, humanity, protection and justice for all women and children in Ekurhuleni.

“Earlier this month, a research report on gender-based violence in Ekurhuleni revealed that Tembisa has the highest cases of violence against women at 64 per cent while Vosloorus and Katlehong follow it at 57 and 50 per cent respectively. The report was launched in Wattville Township, which is south of Benoni in Ekurhuleni,” said Mabuza.

She said an extensive social audit was conducted based on the prevalence of gender-based violence in the city.

“Women and children are abused each and every day but perpetrators are getting lighter sentences or get away with it. In a memorandum we stated that the perpetrators must get tougher sentences.

“As I speak with you now a senior citizen in Katlehong was raped by her own child,” Mabuza told Kathorus MAIL.

The ANC Women’s Caucus started the day with prayer at Nguni Hall and then marched to Vosloorus Police Station to deliver a memorandum of grievances.

Women from different churches gathered to pray. Men came in their numbers to support women in their fight against abuse.

Maria Mofokeng, one of the concerned women, said men must stop abusing women.

“Instead they must start protecting them,” said Mofokeng.

Moroti Noke, one of the men who came to support women, said men are called to protect women and children.

“No one can love our women and children except us men. We men must stop doing what we are doing and start doing what God sent us to do on earth – be the leaders in our homes and stop being abusive,” said Noke.

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