Thousands march on Union Buildings to demand action against GBV scourge
Tshwane residents and organisations are calling on government to strengthen its work on GBV and protect victims.
The Women For Change (WFC) organisation led a picket recently to hand over a petition at the Union Buildings.
The main objective behind the petition was to call on the government to declare GBV and femicide national disasters.
The demonstrations held on April 11 called for justice and accountability for victims of GBV, particularly in light of the recent case of a seven-year-old girl from Matatiele that sparked national outrage.
Different organisations including civil society groups, the ActionSA Youth Forum, LGBTQIA+ community, and others supported the picket.
A moment of silence set the tone on the day followed by a heartfelt choral tribute to the victims.
The spokesperson for WFC, Bulelwa Adonis, said the demonstration aligns with the broader mission and goals of their organisation.
She said the petition handover highlighted the organisation’s aim to eradicate GBVF.
Adonis emphasised the urgent need for action.
“The unchanging reality of this pandemic worsening and not being taken seriously enough and the normality of [the] rape culture in our society is unacceptable. Safety is not a guaranteed right as a woman or child in South Africa (sic).” she said.
Local ActionSA Youth Forum chairperson Pusetsi Matlala was supportive.
“We are calling upon all South Africans, including men, to come in their numbers in solidarity.
“It’s something that must be condemned,” he said.
He encouraged men and women to stand together and fight this pandemic.
“Let us come together in solidarity to fight this behaviour that has been happening for too long,” he said.
Activist Charne Kelynack hoped that the demonstration will lead to meaningful change.
“The longer we stay behind closed doors and online in these forums, the less chance it has of seeing the light of day. So, I am hopeful that this is going to make a change.”
She said if it does not make a change, they will keep coming back again until it does.
The petition was received and signed for by Deputy Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in the Presidency Mmapaseka Steve Letsike.
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