‘Thursdays in Black’ anti-rape campaign launched

LIFELINE Zululand is challenging all local government institutions, businesses, schools and other members of the community to join them in making a stand against rape, abuse and violence against women and children by wearing black every Thursday.

‘The ‘Thursdays in Black’ campaign has its roots in the 1970’s protests by Mothers of the Disappeared in Argentina,’ said LifeLine Zululand Director, Michelle Jewlal.

‘These women began wearing black sashes in honour of their friends and family members who were being raped, abused and disappearing.

‘They would gather every Thursday in silence to protest the loss of loved ones under the military dictatorship.

‘Since then other groups have developed including women who wanted to express outrage at the rape-death camps in war torn Bosnia.

Human rights

The campaign was launched in South Africa by the Diakonia Council of Churches in the 1980’s, as a peaceful way of saying: ‘I support the human right of women to live in a world without violence, rape and fear’.

‘Support is growing tremendously in KZN, linked to the annual 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children campaign which runs from 25 November to 10 December,’ said Jewlal.

‘’Thursdays in Black’ is taking this challenge one step further, encouraging communities to wear black every Thursday to create a culture of 365 days of no violence.

‘We at LifeLine Zululand would like to challenge our communities to stand with us, take up this challenge and make a stand towards a world without rape and violence.’

For more information or to order t-shirts, call LifeLine on 035 789 2472