A society that respects human rights was the call by one of Grahamstown's prominent male leaders at a march on Monday morning in support of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
A society that respects human rights was the call by one of Grahamstown's prominent male leaders at a march on Monday morning in support of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
The group of around 60 men, comprising municipal employees led by Mayor Zamuxolo Peter and Rhodes University's Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, set off shortly after 8am from the City Hall.
Their 3km route took them to Beaufort Street and back to the city hall. Addressing the men after the march, the Mayor said: "It is time for Makana men to break the silence. Let us be the agents of change. Be a responsible man and let everyone put his or her trust in you. You must be a father figure at home, in the workplace and in your neighbourhood."
Peter said in most cases of violence against women and children, the perpetrators were men. "We live in a sick society. One cannot imagine some of the things that are experienced by women, children and elderly people, the most vulnerable groups in our society," Peter said.
"We need to try and uproot the demon entrenched in our communities. We will remove perpetrators and let the law take its course."
The Mayor emphasised that there were still good and responsible men out there. Mabizela echoed the Mayor's view, saying it was important, as men to make a public statement on violence. "They should make it clear, he said that they will not look away. That they will stand firmly against violence towards women and children."
He said they wanted to stand up as the community and send a clear message to the public. "We live in such a violent society… we hope through this activism there will be an emergence of a new society that respects human rights."
"We hope we will realise as a society that our own humanity must reach its fullness to defend and advance the humanity of others," Mabizela said.
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an international campaign that takes place every year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
The period includes Universal Children’s Day and World Aids Day. Every year, the government, civil-society organisations and the business sector work together to broaden the impact of the campaign.
By supporting this campaign, thousands of South Africans have also helped to increase awareness of abuse and build support for victims and survivors of abuse.
