St Stithians pupils take a stand against women and children abuse

The pupils protested outside of the school’s Peter Place gate in support of the national 16 days of activism campaign which starts on 25 November and runs until 10 December. The female and male students stood at the school’s main entrance in silence, with signs and posters showing their support for the national campaign.

This following a message delivered in the school chapel by Reverend Jenni Samdaan. Pupils from the college then approached the school leadership with a request to stage a protest. They felt it was important to take a stand and show their support for the campaign.

Lethabo-Thabo Royds, communications co-ordinator of St Stithians College, explained that the pupils chose to stage the protest now as they will be writing exams during the launch of the campaign.

Ivanka Acquisto, head of St Stithians Girls’ College, expressed pride in the effort put in by the schoolgirls to organise the protest. “I was so proud that our pupils took a stand and that it was an energetic event; they took it seriously. I was a proud head,” she said.

“I think that the protest shows that abuse against women and children is not reserved for one gender to feel enraged about: it is for both men and women to stand together against it.”

The campaign is an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children. The campaign takes place annually.

“St Stithians College is immensely proud of its students,” added Acquisto.

Details: www.gov.za/16-days-activism-no-violence-against-women-and-children-2014

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