Brainchild of Women Network and Men for Change initiative to victims of gender-based violence
Men walk in women's shoes.
The men in blue paid tribute to victims of gender-based violence who continue to suffer in silence through a march in Dobsonville last Friday.
The march started at Tshepo Themba private Hospital to Dobsonville Police Station aimed at raising awareness about pain, abuse and hardship suffered by females within the Dobsonville Police jurisdiction area.
The initiative is a brainchild of Women Network and Men for Change.
According to provincial champion of Women Network Major General Anna Mateisi, the march coincided with August women’s month celebration event.
“Today we are taking the baton from the 1950’s women who marched to the parliament in defiance of the pass law.
“We are saying enough is enough with domestic violence, either be physical, psychological or financial violence perpetuated against women.
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“Abuse starts with one clap and escalates further,” said Mateisi.
She said victims of abuse are left with scars that tell about their horrible suffering in the hands their abusive partners.
Mateisi said it gives her joys that SAPS men were wearing women clothes, makeup, high hill shoes and waves during the march which gives them an experience and hardship of what it takes to be a woman.
“Police officers should show love and caring to the victims of gender-based violence.
” Our responsibility as police officers is to register their case and conduct investigation.
“We should tell the victims of abuse to walk out from the abusive relationship or marriage instead of leaving in a coffin.
“As police officers, we shouldn’t be seen as perpetrators of abuse but seek available resources to repent,” said Mateisi.
She reminded female police officers to walk out of the abusive relationship because there are hundreds of available abusive husbands that they can choose from.
Mateisi further raised concerns about women who are using the Domestic Violence Act to commit infidelity which is unacceptable. She said women should refrain from shouting at their partners but be sensible when talking to their partners.
Dobsonville Station Commander Brigadier Sipho Ngubani added that Dobsonville Police Station is one of the police stations that has registered a large number of women abuse.
“Victims of domestic violence find it difficult to walk out of abusive marriage and survivors of domestic violence are left with scars.
“There are three phases of abuse namely, Tension Building phase.
” In this phase the abuse victim trying to put extraordinary effort trying to please the abusive partner without being appreciated.
“Then comes the second phase called Explosion phase when the perpetrator gets violent and dangerous towards his victim.
“The Honeymoon phase where the abusive partner buys a gift for the victim to bribe him or her,” said Brigadier Ngubani.
Men for Change representative Surgent Bafana Ndimande unpacked to the audience the acronym of the word woman during his speech.
He said the W letter in the word woman stands for work.
“The alphabet O stands for Organiser, alphabet M stands for Manager, alphabet A stands for Advisor and alphabet N stands for Nation Builder.
“Even though woman womb is so small but could curry up to 6 children and further raised her extended family children,” said surgent Ndimande.
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