Men’s march raises awareness on abuse
Men were urged to protect women and children and their communities.
In commemoration of Men’s Month in July, the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Men’s Forum hosted a men’s march in the Port Shepstone CBD last Thursday.
Men from all walks of life were invited including the Saps, members of the community, local pastors, municipal and various departmental officials.
The march began at St Martin De Porres School to Dick King Square and ended at the Port Shepstone Civic Centre, where various speakers spoke on the importance of protecting women and children, crime in communities and that abuse affected men too.
The participants carried placards with messages of awareness such as ‘protect, respect and restore crime victims rights and ‘as men do not choose to die with helpful information’.
Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Zuma from the Saps said men are sometimes embarrassed to report when they are being abused. “All crimes and abuse should be reported to the police, they are there to assist, whether you are a man or a woman. As men we need to make sure that are our communities are safe for all who live in them, and we urge everyone to work with the police,” he said.
He added that people must stop hiding those who murder, steal or rob people. “Every suspect has a family and lives in a community. It is this family and this community that must work with the police, to ensure these people are apprehended, sentenced and removed from society. Fighting crime effectively, particularly against women, children and the vulnerable is something do-able.”
He said it was pleasing to see that so many men joined the peaceful march, as it signified that they are ready to fight social ills.
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