EAO runs to raise awareness on violence against women
Elevate as One (EAO) honoured women who lost their lives through a dedication run aimed at raising awareness against GBV on September 19.
Elevate as One (EAO) hosted a dedication run in Tsakani on September 19 to honour women who have lost their lives to violence in the country, especially murdered runner Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo.
One of EAO’s founders, Gontse Moeketsi, said the runner’s story affected them deeply because running is something they all share.
“It made us realise that something that should be safe and enjoyable can also become dangerous for our women.
“The run was held as a way of remembering her and the many other women who have been found dead.
“We wanted to bring people together through running and use our platform to raise awareness about what is happening,” Moeketsi said.
During the run, the group held purple balloons, which represented their call for justice for women. They also carried boards with the names of women who had been killed or found dead.
“We wanted their names to be seen and remembered because they were more than just stories in the news, they were people, daughters, sisters, mothers, friends and members of our communities.
“For us, this was more than just a normal run, it was a dedication and a statement.
“We wanted to show that we see what is happening, that we care, and that we stand with the families and loved ones who have lost someone,” he added.
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“Raising awareness is important because silence can make these issues easier to ignore.
“By coming together and speaking out, we hope to encourage more conversations about the safety of women and the need for justice.”
Moeketsi mentioned that the difference they hoped to make was to keep the women’s names and stories alive, bring attention to the issue, and encourage people to take it seriously.
As an organisation, EAO believes that the community can use running not only for fitness, but also to stand together for something that matters.
“This run was our way of saying that women deserve to be safe, their lives matter, and their deaths should not simply be forgotten,” Moeketsi concluded.
