Hout Bay gets behind GBV campaign
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children takes place annually from November 25 to December 10.
Image: Supplied
The annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign kicked off on Tuesday, November 25 until Wednesday, December 10, themed Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls working together to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
This year’s campaign will mark the 27th anniversary of its adoption. The campaign has, over the years, raised awareness of the devastating impact that GBVF has on women and children, and the social fabric of society.
It has also been used to highlight the societal and systemic causes of GBVF, and to mobilise action at local, national, and international levels to eliminate all forms of gendered violence.
Hout Bay residents came from all over to support the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
Image: Supplied
A statement by Parliament said that statistics from the past year show that one in three women experience physical violence in their lifetime, 9.8% experience sexual violence, and 24% experience either physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner. Other forms of abuse, including emotional, economic, and psychological abuse, are also common but often go unreported.
GBV Ambassador Soeraya Davids said she has seen the impact the 16 Days of Activism campaign is already having in encouraging more survivors to come forward.
“The moment the community sees us wearing the sash or the badge, it gives people the confidence to talk to us because they know us. They know now where to go or who to speak to. People can rely on us because we’re taking their hand, and we don’t just take them to the next step, but we take them to the last step,” she said.
Residents and organisations held up placards in support of the campaign.
Image: Supplied
Hout Bay got behind the campaign and took to the streets to share their views on Monday, November 23.
Ingrid Harper from Hout Bay said it was "disgusting" to still be speaking about this issue so many years down the line.
"This sounds like a slavery issue, where you are fighting for people's rights, but it's falling upon deaf ears because there are people who feel it's okay. Why are we still talking about this as if we don't have solutions? Speak up and come forward, put these men doing this in the public eye and allow society to deal with them."
Llandudno resident, Raymond Murray, added that the campaign needed to be extended as the matter has only been getting worse.
"I cannot understand how such a serious topic gets attention at the end of the year, before your Christmas shopping and festive period. This is a matter that requires attention all year round, and we need to start talking about these things," Mr Murray said.
"Let's not wait for the body count to rise so that we can highlight it. Let's prevent it and celebrate the lives saved and not lost."
The statement also shared a few campaign ideas for individuals and families: Report abusers: Reject and report abusers – act and do not look away. Stop abuse: Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser. Values: Teach children the values of gender equality.Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content on the internet and social media, including pornography and sexual solicitation.Educate on online safety: Teach children about online safety to protect them from harmful content on the internet and social media.Seek personal help to change harmful behaviour, such as alcohol and substance abuse.Involve men and boys in conversations about gender equality and non-violence.Support survivors: Be sensitive and supportive to victims, and share information about local support causes and resources.Challenge harmful norms: Challenge cultures and practices that perpetuate gender inequalities and consequent abuse of women and children at the personal and societal levels. Address online violence: Focus campaigns on ending digital violence, including harmful online content and cyber-solicitation.Assist older women to be aware of their rights, to build community networks, and to involve civil society and faith-based organisations.
Image: Supplied
Other key commemorative days during the 16 Days Campaign include the International Day of No Violence against Women (Tuesday, November 25), World AIDS Day (Monday, December 1), International Day for Persons with Disabilities (Wednesday, December 3), and International Human Rights Day (Wednesday, December 10).
All of these commemorative days are linked to GBVF.
Some fields were occupied with supporters of the campaign laying on a field to show their support for the women who have lost their lives.
Image: Supplied
Pupils from the Kronendal Primary School putting up posters of support outside the school.
Image: Supplied