On 2 April 2021, Ikageng Men and Boys’ Conference marched from Ikageng Stadium to the Ikageng police station in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
“The purpose of the march was to raise awareness of GBV among both men and women and homi- cide in our communities,” said Letlhogonolo Tlholoe (27), the chairperson of Ikageng Men’s Conference.
What started as a small group grew to about 150 people who joined in the march. “People even started coming from their houses,” Tlholoe laughed.
This was the first march since the Men’s Conference was launched last year. The organisers specifically chose Freedom Day because they felt they needed to fight for the freedom of GBV victims. “Freedom Day is about being liberated. When someone is abused, raped or killed, their rights are violated,” explained Tlholoe.
A memorandum of request was submitted to the police during the march. “The memorandum asked the police to be on the same page as us regarding GBV cases,” the chairperson explained. “There is no use in trying to fight GBV if the police do not advocate for the victims too,” he continued.
After the march, many stories poured in from victims of GBV who needed help. “We got a lot of calls from people sharing their experi- ences and saying they had no idea we even existed. Some also asked to join the fight with us,” Tlholoe concluded.
The police are yet to respond to the memorandum. Meanwhile, the Ikageng Men and Boys’ Conference is hosting another event at the end of May. Further details will be released at a later stage.