Following the tragic rape and murder of countless cisgender and LGBTQIA+ girls and women across South Africa, anti-gender-based violence groups are calling for a nationwide protest on Saturday, August 29. The #EndTheFemicide March is calling on all South Africans to participate.
The Cape Town-based march will take place outside parliament on Saturday at 11 am. Participants are reminded to socially distance, bring a mask and to wear black and red.
For more information on the protest in other parts of the country, click here.
Femicide is an epidemic in South Africa. Last year, the brutal rape and murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana at the hands of a post office worker sparked a national outcry for stricter rules and protection from government and the police.
A year later, the situation has seemingly gotten worse with more women and children disappearing, murdered and raped every day.
The public have been asked to tweet President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the protest and to write the following: “We demand more funding, prevention and response services to GBV. Women’s medical, sexual & reproductive health services, counselling, shelters & legal assistance are an essential service #EndTheFemicide”.
Protesters are also encouraged to call governmental hotlines to express grievances over the femicide incidences. The organisers suggest saying: “I am calling to express my grievances related to the genocide of women and LGBTQI+ people in South Africa. I demand MORE funding to be allocated to prevention and response services to GBV. Women’s medical, sexual & reproductive health services, counselling, shelters & legal assistance are an essential service that need to be prioritised!”
The Presidential Hotline: 17737
COVID-19 Public Hotline: 0800 029 999
Union Buildings: 012 300 5200
Ahead of the protest, you can also email this statement to the president. A list of government email addresses are contained in the statement.
“Public pressure on the government encourages them to prioritise this crisis. It may influence them to implement adequate interventions and new policies that centres our concerns! It is our constitutional right to engage with the government. The government is mandated to allow and encourage public participation in making and deciding policies as well as taking public opinion into account,” said one of the protest advocates, Mikayla Boorany, in an Instagram statement.
“We do not have the privilege to be silent citizens! It makes it clear to the government that the public are paying attention to issues. It shows that we are monitoring what they are doing and we will hold them accountable if they fail to uphold their mandate of creating a safe South Africa for everyone!”
One in four women suffer some from violence during their lifetime.
If you or someone you know who suffers from domestic or gender-based violence, The Warrior Project is a free legal helpline service.
– Free Legal Helpline (LawForAll) 0860 333 353
– Free Legal Advice on WhatsApp (LawForAll) 063 603 3759
– Stop Domestic Violence Helpline (Lifeline) 0800 150 150
– Childline 0800 055 555
– Report Child Abuse and request call back: SMS ‘help’ to 31022
– Report Abuse of Persons with Disabilities: SMS ‘help’ to 31531
– HIV/Aids Helpline 0800 012 322
For more information from The Warrior Project, click here.
Image: Cape Town Etc
