Young and old women and men took a stand against gender-based violence this past weekend through a march from Morris Isaacson Secondary School in Jabavu to Hector Peterson Memorial in Orlando West chanting ‘sekwanele’ enough is enough.

Organised by Voice It in Action and Kuhluka Movement, the march was also in remembrance of the late Karabo Mokoena and all other women who have fallen victim to gender-based violence.

Participants dressed in all black and peacefully marched the streets of Soweto until they reached Orlando West where various speakers shared the stage condemning gender-based violence.

Not in our name. #VoiceItInAction #nomore pic.twitter.com/f6bvctFyfR

— DJ Keyez 🤴🏾 (@djkeyez) June 18, 2017

The march came a day after the country commemorated the 41st anniversary of June 16 Soweto uprising.

Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi–Malobane said the timing of the march was not aimed at drawing attention away from other youth struggles.

“The fact that the march is held after Youth Day does not mean that it is more important than June 16 in this country.

“The struggles of the youth of 1976 were different from those of the youth of today but they are equally important,” said Nkosi–Malobane after walking alongside young women.

Sekwanele. #NOMORE #voiceitinaction pic.twitter.com/agcI2WnDOQ

— DJ Keyez 🤴🏾 (@djkeyez) June 18, 2017

The march was a call to action for all men and women to take a stand against all forms of violence. It managed to draw attention and huge crowds by the time it reached Orlando West.

Nkosi–Malobane said, “Today proves that our voice as women can be heard if we stand together.

“By standing together as women, our voices will be heard so that this nonsense of hitting, raping and killing women can come to an end.”

The march was attended by renowned actor and champion of gender activism Patrick Shai who walked with the rest of the participants until the end.

https://twitter.com/BronBADASS/status/876351609554571264

Speaking after the march, Shai said it is important that everyone gets involved in these campaigns so that the spirit can be kept alive.

There are many women who have fallen victims to gender-based violence in this country and in most cases, they lose their lives.

“It is very important to make this call to all men out there to be part of these campaigns.

“Being part of these campaigns only is not enough.

“What is important is what we do in our homes and how we relate to the boy child. That is very important because, for every crime committed against women, there is a son of a father involved,” said Shai.

https://twitter.com/BronBADASS/status/876346983962865665

Relating to young boys and teaching them how to treat women from an early age was part of the message conveyed in the march.

Mbali Ndaba from Soweto Women United put an emphasis on this message by encouraging parents to teach their boys that it is okay for them to cry.

“Teach your son to cry and to talk when they are not okay. Tell your son that you love them like you do with your daughter. This goes out to all the fathers who have sons,” said Ndaba.

It begins with me. Please come join us #voiceitinaction #nomore #breakthesilence pic.twitter.com/bq2yAsOTqU

— DJ Keyez 🤴🏾 (@djkeyez) June 18, 2017

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