With the onset of Women’s Month, it is devastating to note the National Minister of Police, Bheki Cele announcing the increase in gender-based violence.
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Every August, the month that celebrates women and womanhood, we wait with bated breath for reports of more violence towards women.
It is sickening to note that unfortunately, these incidents increase during this month as well as during the 16 Days of Activism.
Seemingly in KwaZulu-Natal women have it worst. According to the latest crime statistics, we were the only province to record an increase in crimes against women.
Inanda and Umlazi are still in the lead for police stations which recorded the highest increase in rape and sexual offences, again ensuring that we keep the title for “rape capital” of the country.
In the past, the biggest concern for women was equal opportunities in the commercial field and for the voting process. However, the cry for the protection of women is now a matter of life and death. How did we get to the stage where every woman now asks, “Am I next?”
After years of failing to protect women, the government is also now at the centre of making our lives unbearable. The Commission for Gender Equality had requested the Department of Health to provide clarification in May on what they were doing to ensure women with HIV were no longer being sterilised without their consent.
This following a complaint by women from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng who had been subjected to this. Until this day the government has been mum.
The kind of abuse women face now is physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and economical. In addition to all these, the DA had recently exposed the added humiliation of women being forced into sex for jobs.
Women are no longer slaves, nor are they toys to be played with. Not only are they able to support a houseful of children, care for their needs, earn a living and feed their families, they are also an asset to the economy of the country if they are allowed to do so.
Even though many women carry the scars of rape, domestic violence and deprivation of opportunities, they still have the strength and abilities to do what is required to survive.
Women should never underestimate their strength. No matter how difficult life is for them, they are always able to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and soldier on with life.
Wathinta abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo.
We wish women all over the province and the country as a whole a safe and happy Women’s Month.
Keep safe, be alert and remember that help is just a call away!
Written by C
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