Two Ballito teens took to the streets on Saturday to show how women standing together can help create safer public spaces.

Jess Gifford and Emma FletcherCampbell, both in Grade 10 at Reddam House Ballito, organised the Ballito Community Run for Safer Women and Girls after the recent deaths of at least 10 Johannesburg women.

Gifford said they were particularly affected by the death of Elizabeth Moselakgomo, who was killed earlier this month while out for her daily run in Kempton Park.

“It’s what we are all talking about a lot, in our friend groups and at school,” said Gifford.

Around 40 women and girls joined the duo for the run/walk from Odyssey Mall to Concha Café.

“We were thrilled with the amount of support we got after sharing a few posters on social media. There were people we had never met too, which was exciting,” she said.

“We put up purple heart stickers on some traffic lights and stop signs to spread the message further.”

Purple hearts represent solidarity with victims of gender-based violence (GBV).

Gifford said she planned to organise another run following Saturday’s support and would share details on social media once available.