Pardon me if I am going to sound naïve, ignorant, or simply stupid, but this week I have to say what I think needs to be said.
For many years Sedibeng Ster has been an advocate of the people, in particular women, when it comes to issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and many others. We have always raised awareness and our voices against terrible deeds that are committed against women.

However, this week I would like to ask you a simple question, my dear reader, who speaks for the boys and men that are abused….and killed?
The stories in our pages this week do not lie, that men, and boys to that extent, are also abused (physically, financially and emotionally) but never in a thousand years have there been campaigns that speak about this….almost on a daily basis. Imagine the pain and abuse that the young boy from Boipatong who was kidnapped and killed, burned to be exact, must have suffered. What about the young man that was killed apparently after resolving a fight between women at a tavern, did he have to die, did he not suffer… for a woman, if that is really the case?

Before you say anything, let me inform you that I have nothing against women.
I was raised by a single woman.
I, myself, have daughters of my own.
I, myself, am married.
So, rest assured, I have nothing against women!

My argument here is simple and does not need a scientist to perform miracles, it just needs you to balance the equation. As much as South Africa recognizes that women and children, girl children in particular, are being abused at will, it should never be forgotten that men and boy children are humans too. It should never be forgotten that they too are being abused, that they too are being killed and lastly that they too face danger every day. When events such as the GBV campaigns that are organised or held everyday are being organised, men should also be included, and not only as perpertrators but also as victims, it should not only be about women and girls. Let’s take a moment and truly recognize and perhaps accept that men are human too, that men are also abused. I shall reiterate, I have nothing against women and GBV campaigns, but men are abused too!

Lerato wa ha Serero…