DEAR Editor,-
The Salvation Army calls for an end to the silence, stigma and shame that has entrenched violence against women and children.
On the eve of the start of the 16 days of activism to end violence against women and children, the importance of this annual commemoration was emphasised.
Especially in a country in which, according to the World Health Organisation, the femicide rate in 2015 was almost five times higher than the global average of 2.6.
The Salvation Army endorsed the hashtag, #HearMeToo to bring to the forefront the voices of women and girls who survived violence and defend women’s rights every day through their actions.
It’s shocking that in 2017/18, there were 79 578 reported rape cases, 13 028 reported cases of sexual assault and 985 children were murdered in South Africa.
This doesn’t take into account incidents of rape and assault that were not reported.
The way we treat each other as parents often dictates the way our children will treat significant others in their lives.
Scripture teaches us that husbands must love their wives, while wives must submit to their husbands. Remember, in God’s economy you are both regal.
The organisation has a number of social initiatives to assist victims of crime, including child and youth care centres and shelters for female victims of crime.
At the same time, South Africans must remember those people living with or impacted by HIV/Aids on World Aids Day (December 1).
In particular, remember child-headed households, where young people are forced to take on parenting roles due to the deaths of their parents through HIV/Aids.
This robs them of the opportunity to live their childhood and teenage years to the fullest by placing enormous burdens of parenting on their shoulders.
The 16 days culminates in International Human Rights’ day on December 10.
MAJOR CARIN HOLMES
Public Relations Secretary, Salvation Army
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