G20 women’s shutdown: St Dominic’s unites against GBV with symbolic purple ribbon initiative

St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls has joined the nationwide Women For Change G20 Women’s Shutdown initiative to highlight the devastating impact of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, distributing purple ribbons to every learner and staff member from November 17.

Learners from pre-school to matric, along with staff, have already started wearing the ribbons in support of the women’s shutdown on November 21.

While people can stay home to support the initiative, St Dominic’s has chosen to continue with normal school attendance, emphasising unity and awareness within the school community.

“Let us support this important cause as a school family, encouraging conversations, compassion, and a shared commitment to ending GBV in our country,” said the school’s marketing manager, Sharon Antonizzi.

Also Read: Boksburg North SAPS take a stand against GBV

Lihlumile Shabalala, a Grade 10 learner, said she was proud to stand in solidarity.

“I’m supporting the initiative because GBV is a common occurrence, and we need to stop it from happening in our country. Just standing in solidarity before any of us becomes a statistic is better.

“I find it really beautiful that the school is allowing learners and staff to wear purple ribbons. Before we had to say anything or force anything, the school took the initiative. I think it’s a beautiful act. Thank you.”

Another learner, Jemma Ferreira, echoed Shabalala’s words and said: “We are all here because we support the Women For Change in South Africa. In our country, we face a significant problem of GBV, and we all stand together to make a small change. Even though it’s something small, it can make a big difference.”

How people are participating in the G20 women’s shutdownAccording to the website, there are several ways in which people can participate in the shutdown.
This includes:
• Not going to work, whether a person gets paid or not.
• Not spending any money on the day and thus withdrawing from the economy for a day.
• Lying down for 15 minutes at 12:00 to honour the 15 women murdered every day.
• Wearing black.
• Changing your profile picture to purple to make the shutdown visible online.
• Using the hashtag #WomenShutdown on social media.
The website states that no physical marches or protests are planned on the day.
“This is not a rally – it is a shutdown. A collective refusal to keep the country running while women are dying. Instead of marching, we are calling for nationwide symbolic actions, including a 15-minute silent standstill at 12:00.”