Enough is enough!
SANDTON– It was the launch of 365 Days of Activism against GBVF with the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in partnership with UN Women and 1st for Women Insurance.
Tuesday 10 December was meant to mark the end of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
Instead, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has partnered up with UN Women and 1st for Women Insurance to bring forth 365 Days of Activism against GBVF.
Minister in the Presidency Maite Nkoana- Mashabane welcomed a number of esteemed guests. In attendance was the executive director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, CEO of 1st for Women Insurance, Robyn Farrell and Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu to name a few.
Men, women and activists from all over made their way to the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel in Sandton to make their pledge.
Calling on all South African men to become actively involved in ending all forms of violence, it’s a call to all South Africans to also sign the National Pledge on GBVF.
The government will also be launching a national strategic plan on GBVF. One of their aims is to appeal to the private sector to actively mobilise conscious citizens. CEO Robyn Farrell is one of the first private sector partners mentioned that their customers are all victims and survivors of abuse.
“We’re a company about fighting for all women in South Africa to end the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide.
“We’ve got big 2020 plans, we’re planning to refocus the 1st for Women strategy with a focus in Diepsloot.”
Farrell said that it’s about changing the behaviour and mindsets in communities. “We need to stop the perpetrators and tell women and young girls to have respect for themselves, not put up with violence and to report it.”
Active participation means bold moves and statements. Minister Lindiwe Zulu is doing just that. Carrying a poster with the words ‘Women Lives Matter’ has had some heads turning.
“I have been walking around with this poster everywhere I go. I am putting it on my briefcase. I see some people look and they nod in agreement and then I see others and they think ‘She must be crazy’.
“I am not crazy and I think it’s a message we need to pass on every day – 365 days is this message here and that is Women Lives Matter. Enough is enough.”
Zulu reiterated that the struggle is not just a woman’s struggle. “It’s all of ours, the message has to be carried through all the time.”
If you would like to get involved, join www.for-women.co.za – a hub for survivors and victims of GBVF who need help and corporates who can offer help.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/244607/minister-maite-nkoana-mashabane-launches-365-days-activism-gender-based-violence/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/235395/south-africas-shocking-gender-based-violence-statistics/
