Murals depict gender inequality
ROSSMORE - Murals around Johannesburg hope to get you thinking about gender equality.
Driving down Perth Road in Rossmore, near the Helen Joseph Hospital entrance, one is greeted by a collection of colourful murals painted by local artists.
These gender equality public awareness artworks – an initiative established in 2014 in Johannesburg by social entrepreneur, Balfour Lekgwathi – promotes the Commission for Gender Equality’s (CGE) toll-free number, 0800 007 709, for gender discrimination and abuse.
The Commission on Gender Equality is a State institution set up in terms of the Constitution to promote and strengthen democracy and a culture of human rights in the country, according to its website.
“The artwork and messaging aims to attract the public and raise consciousness about gender equality issues, but more importantly, to inform the public of the CGE’s intervention in dealing with the challenges associated with gender inequalities in South Africa,” Lekgwathi said.
Lekgwathi, parented by an artist and an entrepreneur, now lives in Brixton and hopes to continue supporting local artists through this initiative and his company, On the Beat Communications.
The pilot project was undertaken by the CGE and On the Beat Communications, in a joint partnership. Lekgwathi explained. “We want to create public artworks with strong messages that will entice the audience both inside and outside, to look differently at their lives in their local communities.”
The murals depict real-life moments that often define the roles of men and women – reversed. In one of the artworks, a man can be seen cradling a child, while a woman rakes the garden. The murals are accompanied with messages, such as: Equal power to influence decisions within our society, which promotes gender equality.
At this stage, there are eight installations in and around Johannesburg with eight more in the pipeline. Lekgwathi’s goal is to have 16 murals in each municipality across South Africa. “It is envisaged that the murals will, in future, become a regular feature in all cities where the provincial offices of the CGE are based,” he said.
Lekgwathi is supported by local businesses and public sector organisations. The various murals in Johannesburg have already been supported by Versus Paints, Soho Design, Klo-Ink Medi and Business and Arts South Africa.
A collection of photographs of the murals were showcased at the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture gallery atrium alongside the Embassy of Sweden’s Photographic Award Exhibition, Gender Today, that launched on 15 August and ran until 31 August.
If you would like to support the initiative, contact Balfour Lekgwathi on 082 712 5352 or e-mail: balfour@onthebeat.co.za
Details: Commission for Gender Equality 011 403 7182.
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