National Men’s Rally – Men gather to Rally Against Gender-Based Abuse
'No Woman will be
raped in my name' read one of the placards that were being brandished at the
men's rally led by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe at the Johannesburg
Stadium on Saturday, 24 August 2013.
Also present were
Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana and her
deputy Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Minister of Correctional Services Sbu Ndebele,
Johannesburg Executive Mayor Parks Tau, Chief Executive Officer of South
African National Aids Council (SANAC) Dr Fareed Abdullah and Chairperson of
SANAC Men's Sector Bafana Khumalo.
Held under the theme
'NOT IN MY NAME', the historic men's rally was convened by Brothers for Life in
partnership with SANAC Men's Sector and the Department of Women, Children and
People with Disabilities. The rally sought to encourage South African men to
take a pledge in the fight against gender-based violence and build safer and
healthier South Africa
Speaking at the rally
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who is also chairperson of SANAC, called all
men to play an active role in the fight against gender-based violence.
"We are here
today to encourage men to take a stand against gender-based violence. We do
this well aware that the majority of victims of domestic violence are girl
children, women and even our grannies. But we are also aware that gender-based
violence affects gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender communities. All of
this happens because of classification which gives birth to
prejudice"
In support of the
initiative Minister Lulu Xingwana echoed Motlanthe's sentiments and called on
everyone experiencing gender-based violence to speak out.
"This scourge
requires us as society, men, women, government and civil society, together
through coordinated concerted efforts, to maximally put together resources to
support programmes to curb this scourge that has become a disease in our
society.
Actor and Brothers for
Life ambassador Patrick Shai, who was himself an abuser, also told his story to
scores of men and stressed how he and his family had been liberated by his
decision to educate men about his own abusive past and that a man can change.
"A real man does
not abuse women or children and that is what we should be preaching."
Brothers for Life
Programme Manager, Mogale Mashiapata said that the "Not In My Name"
campaign is an initiative that seeks to encourage men to stand up and be
counted as men who do not harm women and children but rather to ensure that
they helped to create healthier and safer communities
"We want men to
go back to their communities and ensure that the message reaches other men out
there. And that, as men, we cannot tolerate abuse of women and children,"
The rally culminated
in the signing of a pledge!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment