Bicycle rally in Bethal supports GBVF victims

A bicycle rally supported the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, which is an annual international civil society-led campaign running from November 25 to December 10.

It creates awareness of GBV and femicide issues, sensitising and educating people about their dangers, sexual offences and human trafficking.

The Bethal SAPS Men for Change and Women’s Network, the Gert Sibande District Men for Change and Women’s Network, the Department of Health, the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa, the Department of Social Development, the Bethal CPF, the Youth Desk, Bethal SuperSPAR and Mrova Bikes Crew created awareness during the rally on November 25 to support the campaign.

Young boys rallied on their bicycles with posters displaying these messages: ‘There is no excuse for femicide’, “Take action to end GBV’, ‘A boy child needs protection’, ‘Let’s end GBV now’, ‘Cycling against GBV’, ‘Cycling against the abuse of women and children’, ‘Act against the abuse of women and girls… Now! Reject and Report abusers’, ’Act and don’t look away’, ‘Do not protect abusers, report them!’, ‘Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser’, ‘Stop Abuse’ and ‘There is no excuse for violence against women and girls’.

“Women are not the only victims of GBV. Good men are also victims because vicious men have the audacity to attack good men and women with the same brutality,” said Sergeant Thomas Mogadime, the spokesperson for the Bethal SAPS and the deputy chairperson for the Mpumalanga Provincial Men For Change.

The boys were educated and sensitised about the dangers of committing crime, especially sexual offences, and were encouraged not to involve themselves in sexual activities but to focus on their education and their cycling.

Mogadime thanked everyone for their positive participation and encouraged them to be agents of change in their communities.