The current Covid-19 lockdown has thrown a spotlight on those vulnerable to domestic abuse and gender-based violence in South Africa.
Gender-based violence does not discriminate against race, culture, social or economic standing. As a response to this, Lee-Anne Germanos, who is a non-practising attorney and legal researcher into gender-based violence and the criminal justice system, and illustrator and designer Leanne Berger have founded The Embrace Project. “This will be an online platform through which we sell art, to raise funds for established grass-roots organisations that are combatting gender-based violence, and supporting victims and those affected,” said Germanos.
The Embrace Project is a non-profit organisation that aims to creatively combat gender-based violence by creating a platform for the sale of the artwork of South African creatives and artists. The proceeds will go to existing grass-roots organisations involved in combatting gender-based violence in their respective communities? one of which will be FightBack SA. The Embrace Project also creates awareness of the pandemic that is gender-based violence, focusing on its prevalence and causes through its social media platforms while simultaneously working to change the narrative around violence and disempowerment.
All collaborators and supporters of The Embrace Project are welcome. “We have just launched, and there is much more to be done. Please join us in support of this cause! We are stronger together,” said Berger. To show your support in bringing an end to this abuse that has plagued our society for centuries, please follow their social media pages. Their website (with the art sale platform) will soon follow with a pre-sale launch on 12 June, where community members will be able to purchase and put up some beautiful pieces of art in their homes in support of this initiative.
Details: www.facebook.com/theembraceprojectza
