The #Holler initiative was introduced on Women’s Day 2021 and this year the mall will be building on it with the ‘educate and rescue’ theme.
In South Africa, GBV is a serious and pervasive issue that affects practically every facet of daily life.
President Cyril Ramaphosa called it the “second epidemic” of the nation and said it was one of the most dangerous places in the world for women.
Due to lockdowns and other steps to limit movement and stop the spread of the virus during the Covid epidemic, GBV instances skyrocketed, with victims being forced to share spaces with their offenders.
The six core types of GBV are rape, sexual assault, physical assault, forced marriage, denial of resources, opportunities, or services and psychological/emotional abuse.
Shocking statistics in South Africa
More than 9 500 instances of GBV and 13 000 instances of domestic violence were recorded between July and September of 2021, according to Police Minister Bheki Cele.
In the same period, 897 women were killed (up 7.7% from the same period in 2020), while sexual offence cases and rape events grew by 4.7% and 7.1%, respectively, from the second quarter of 2020.
According to police reports based on the third quarter of 2021, 903 women were killed and 11 315 raped between October and December of 2021.
A study regarding crimes against women in SA published in 2021 by Statistics South Africa (SSA), showed that one in five women (21%) has suffered physical abuse at the hands of a spouse.
Also, just 29% of GBV attacks are carried out by total strangers, with the majority being perpetrated by someone close to the victim, such as a spouse or intimate partner (15%), relative or household member (13%) or friend or acquaintance (22%).
The fact that a woman is murdered every three hours in SA is as startling.
These alarming statistics demonstrate how we as a country have failed to protect its citizens, and they demand a swift and comprehensive response to the crisis we are currently experiencing from all spheres of our society.
#Holler event
Mall of the South will support EPIC Foundation this coming Women’s Day through the #Holler campaign.
The foundation is a Gauteng-based NPO, founded by Alta McMaster in 2013.
Alta has been through many traumatic life experiences, including being a survivor of rape. This has led her to gain a deep understanding of the societal need to empower survivors which includes women, children, and men.
Alta’s experience of turning a violation into an epic victory can be read HERE.
On August 9, Mall of the South will host the event where there will be eight speakers talking about education, legal information and the rescue process around GBV.
The speakers at the event are Andile Gaelesiwe (South African kwaito singer/songwriter, sexual rights campaigner and television presenter), Unaiza Suliman (businesswoman and SA’s Brow Queen and influencer), Sharon Gordon (author, entrepreneur, speaker, human rights activist, founder of Dignity Dreams and fearless teller of necessary truths), Alta McMaster (Lead SA Hero, founder of Epic Foundation empowering people in crisis), Sarah Wissler (provincial fundraising chairperson Action SA, chairperson for governance in City of Johannesburg), Romanah Adam (mom, lawyer, diamond connoisseur, humanitarian and feminist), Martin Pelders (founder of Matrix Men Africa, activist and public speaker raising awareness about male survivors of sexual abuse, GBV rape, war rape divorce and trauma in Africa), and Cindy Laufs (CEO and founder of Hustle Media SA).
Show support
You can support the initiative by purchasing a ticket to attend the #Holler event in the platinum court at entrance five on August 9 at 11:00 at R100 per ticket. Seats are limited so hurry along and book.
All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to Epic Foundation.
To book your seat please contact Mall of the South on 011 682 8780 or email: motsaccounts@redefine.co.za.
Donations welcome
A donation box will be placed at entrance two where the public can donate the following items for Epic Foundation:
• Activity toy / soft toy
• Blankets
• Body lotion/baby lotion
• Baby powder
• Brown paper bag
• Biscuits
• Coffee
• Chips
• Clothing
• Colouring in book, crayons, pens and pencils
• Crockery and cutlery
• Deodorant
• Face cloth and soap
• Hairbrush, combs, elastics, and clips for ladies
• Long Life Milk
• Lip balm
• Non-perishable food
• Notebook and pens
• Nappies
• Sanitary towels (full pack)
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Surgical gloves and plasters
• Sugar
• Sweets
• Tea
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Tissues
• Underwear
• Vaseline and wet wipes
• Water or cooldrinks
Find help
The digital safe space, which will be launched at the event, will act as a comprehensive online support platform for GBV victims, as well as anyone looking to learn more and offer help.
The educational and rescue aspects will be the main focus of this resource portal.
