Ending Violence Against Women
Every year, from the 25th of November till the 10th of December a global campaign to end violence against women kicks off. In South Africa, civil society organisations and government increase awareness raising efforts to highlight the huge problem of domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual harassment.
16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women
Every year, from the 25th of November till the
10th of December a global campaign to end violence against women
kicks off. In
South Africa,
civil society organisations and government increase awareness raising efforts
to highlight the huge problem of domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual
harassment.
The problem we face is enormous - according to People
Opposing Women Abuses' website, a woman is raped every 26 seconds and a woman
dies at the hands of her intimate partner every 12 hours. In 2003, teenage
girls comprised one in four victims of reported rape, and girls between 0-11
years old were victims of 1 in seven reported rapes.
Women'sNet, as part of our work in supporting women's
organisations, publicises the campaign and events associated with it. We get
calls from all over the country asking "what can I do?" and decided to write
down some of the things that small businesses, and large ones, as well as
individuals, have done in the past to support the campaign.
In the past businesses have
wrapped their buildings with white ribbons (the symbol of the campaign) and
offered workshops to staff. Smaller companies have given their employees a day
off to volunteer at an organisation. Others gave all staff a white ribbon - to
show support and solidarity.
Donations have been made to the
campaign fund (managed by the Foundation for Human Rights) and also to
individual organisations. Thousands have sent an SMS to 31616 and by doing so,
donated R5 to the campaign for the benefit of NGOs.
Naum Rousine, a resident
conductor, composer and violinist, from the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra,
composed a cello concerto expressing in musical form, the senselessness of
violence against women and children, the music was performed in 2007. Turf FM
Radio hosted radio slots for men to express their solidarity with women and
pledge their non-violence. Deneys Reitz Attorneys Johannesburg,
Durban and
Cape
Town sent a team of lawyers to various magistrates
courts to assist women there with their domestic violence interdict
applications. Vhusengavhadzimu media, with Old Mutual, hosted a 10 kilometer
run in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province.
This year, the Foschini
Group will be including the campaign
logo in all it's correspondence - and including an information sheet in
employees pay slips. They will put posters up in offices and send emails to all
staff. Given the statistics, many of their staff will find the information
useful.
Examples of contributions both
big and small, are endless. Do they make a difference? Yes! They let the many
survivors of violence, their friends and families who supported them know that
they are valued. Initiatives like the ones above, let women in abusive relationships
know that violence is not acceptable. The campaign raises out awareness of the
enormity of a problem that is so prolific, it has become almost invisible.
We do have a long way to go to
make sure our streets and homes are safe for women and children, and the 16
Days Campaign helps us get a small step closer to a violence free nation.
If you have ideas on
activities, or if you have participated in the campaign - past and present-
write about it to share your strategies and publicize your efforts: go to: http://www.womensnet.org.za,
register as a user and then add your story to the Interactive forum: http://www.womensnet.org.za/what-i-did-16-days-activism-sharing-your-strategies
Women'sNet is a non-profit
organisation that uses information and communications technology to empower
women and girls for a gender just
South Africa. We facilitate content
development, research gender and ICT issues, assist women's organisations to
network and communicate and build capacity to use ICTs as a tool for gender
equality. Contact us on 011 429-0000
