This year’s Women’s Month commemoration comes at a time when the whole country is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in domestic violence during lockdown as it has made women more vulnerable and exposed them to more danger.

“We must strengthen our relationship with communities by reporting various forms of abuse directed at women, such as physical, economic and emotional abuse, and harassment and sexual abuse at places of worship, higher learning institutions and workplaces,” read a statement sent by Kagiso Police’s spokesperson, Captain Solomon Sibiya.

He added, “We have been challenged and addressed some incidents of women as victims being displaced from their homes. As a nation we should not only recognise but also pay tribute to all the women fighting the virus on the frontline – some of whom have lost their lives after being infected.

“The list includes nurses, law-enforcement agents, caregivers and other similar services. It must be the responsibility of each resident to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

The Kagiso Police are calling on women from all walks of life to speak out if they are being victimised or their rights are being violated.

They must use all available platforms or talk to the police, a friend, relative, community leader, women’s group, victim empowerment centre or a pastor.”

They were also urging to play their role by respecting and taking care of themselves.

“Let our women take pride in themselves and refrain from accepting gifts, booze and so on from strangers in exchange for intimate relationships. They must also not fall into a trap of empty promises of job placement in exchange for an affair,” Sibiya advised.

He further wished all women a safe, successful and fearless future. He said Women’s Month also marks the time when we pay tribute to more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in August 1956 to protest against the then pass laws.