As the president of the South African Council for Business Women (SACBW), I was shocked to hear about the woman who was raped in Secunda on Sunday, 30 March at noon. This happened right next to the complex where I am staying and I thought the green strip was supposed to be a safe place for children to play. It is also a concern to hear that the rape victim had to visit Evander Hospital three times before she received treatment.
Violence stops women accessing their most basic rights to safety, health, schooling and work.
Due to violence, women and children experience injury and mental health and emotional problems. It also stops women and their families from making positive changes in their own lives in order to end the poverty they and their communities experience. The issue of violence against women cannot be separated from other important issues affecting women, such as HIV and Aids. Women are at a heightened risk of infection due to violence but are also subject to violence if their positive status is disclosed.
We support women around the world and I would like to encourage women of Secunda and South Africa to get involved in the iDuc Project.
We as businesswomen of South Africa would like to create awareness and support to victims by supporting the crises centres in towns where we have branches. We invite women to visit our website at www.sacbw.org or send an e-mail to admin@sacbw.org if they are interested to get involved. Hester du Bruyn, Secunda.
