Break the silence on abuse
A group of campaigners took a stand against abuse of women and children this Saturday.
GENDER based violence came under the spotlight on Saturday, 6 December when PR councillor Judy Mulqueeny and community leaders and members of the Umbilo Community Crime Prevention Association, organised a pamphlet blitz and speak in and around Baxter Park in Glenwood as part of the Count Me In! 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children initiated by national government..
“Our message was that 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of democracy in South Africa and the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Charter, but the scourge of gender based violence is a great blot on our democracy. Laws have been passed by the democratic government to deal with it, but there is a low level of awareness about these laws. Residents were urged to get to know their rights – speak out – report – act,” said Mulqueeny.
A supervisor at a block of flats near Davenport Centre told the group she had “seen it all”.
“Behind the closed doors women are being battered and bruised, but because of stigma they fear to speak out,” she said.
Men and women were urged to join hands to take action as women would not win the battle by themselves.
“Some male residents pointed out that they were also being abused by women. One man lamented that the national 16 days campaign only talks about women and children and leaves men out,” said Mulqueeny.
The link between HIV/AIDS and violence against youth was another hot topic.
Statistics for young women between 15 and 24 who are affected by HIV/AIDS continues to climb, yet for young men the rates of infection are falling.
“The predicament of the young prostitutes/sex workers around Baxter Park was controversial for some residents, and heartbreaking for others. We invited the girls to join us in our speak out campaign. They were reluctant, but one said she was a ‘born free’, one of ‘Mandela’s children’ but was subjected to so much abuse. Our message was that prostitution exists in the ward because there is a market for it, with both buyers and sellers. We must address the root causes – poverty, unemployment and inequality,” said Mulqueeny.
A representative from Lifeline spoke about the inspiring work the organisation was doing in seeking to uplift the young women in the community.
