Women from Greenspark and Wedela supported a nationwide march this week for women’s safety. The marches followed the wave of fear that swept through the country after the bodies of nine murdered women were discovered in the East Rand this month.

According to a concerned community member from Greenspark, Herminah Makinta, a group of women from this town marched against femicide on September 18.

About 20 participants began with a prayer circle near the bridge at about 16:00 and marched through the town’s streets. The march ended at Greenspark Primary School.

“Every day during the last week we heard about the death of another woman. We took the initiative to empower others to act against GBV. These issues are even happening in our area,” says Makinta, who is also a Green Door ambassador who helps victims of gender-based violence in the area.

She added that some women from the area do not know where to go and report such issues. Some are also afraid to act.

“Our police station and social workers are in town, and our clinic is also not open 24 hours a day,” says Makinta. She called on residents to report gender-based violence and not to stay quiet on the matter.
“GBV is not only a family matter. The more people who do not report it, the more it grows and will also affect other people,” she says.

Meanwhile, concerned residents of Wedela also marched for the same cause.

According to the chairperson of the Wedela Community Policing Forum (CPF), Naledi Ramaru, a group of residents from this town also marched against GBV on September 18. They started at the Wedela community hall before proceeding through most of the town.

“We saw a poster online calling on women to take a stand, and organised this because GBV is also taking place in our community,” says Ramaru.

She added that Wedela residents are planning more such actions.