In solidarity with young women and children who are victims of the recent spate of gender violence in South Africa, sefa had all its staff wearing black on Monday 29th May 2017 as a symbol of condemnation of such acts.
In the past few weeks South Africa has been treated to numerous protest marches against women abuse to highlight the repulse around the senseless kidnappings and furtive killings of women.
The Movement against the abuse of women was ignited by the killing of Karabo Mokoena allegedly by her boyfriend. She is being seen as a symbol of wider violence against women in the country. Sandile Mantshoe, her boyfried was charged for her murder.
Subsequent to this, more women have reportedly been victims with the most recent high profile reports being the murder of Lerato Moloi in Soweto, Bongeka Phungula and her friend Popi Qwabe also killed in Soweto.
More cases have been reported around the country and, now a distress for all citizens as there are fears that a syndicate on the loose may be engineering the mysterious kidnappings, abuse and killings.
“Let us all stand up against violence on children and women. As our contribution to curb this scourge, I encourage each one of us to be the change agents by promoting both none violence and abuse in our own respective spaces as well as home environments; Nurture, protect, support and respect children/women at all times, says Vicky Malale one of the organisers of the sefa action day.
Gender violence in South Africa
- 1 in 5 women are assaulted by their partner
- More than 40,000 cases of rape are reported every year, most of the victims are female
- Femicide in South Africa is 5 times higher than the global average
Source: Medical Research Council 2009 study; Stats SA Demographic and Health Survey 2016.
President Jacob Zuma described "the manner in which women and children are being killed" as a "crisis in the country”. He urged victims of gender violence not to turn a blind eye to the problem and added that he would consider calls for harsher sentences for sex offenders.
He urged victims of gender violence not to turn a blind eye to the problem and added that he would consider calls for harsher sentences for sex offenders.