Monday, 31 August 2020
22:31
22:31
Women's Month 2020
22:31Women's Month in South Africa takes place in August every year. On the 9th of August 1956, 20 000 women marched to the Union buildings t...
Women's Month in South Africa takes place in August every year. On the 9th of August 1956, 20 000 women marched to the Union buildings to petition against the pass laws.
Present day we still remember the women who marched for our rights but in a country known as the rape capital of the world, it's difficult to celebrate women when you are more likely to be raped than educated.
Last year's women's month was the same month were we mourned the death of Uyinene Mrwetyana and this year we are still angry and we are still mad at the constant rapes and killings of women. Which is why I didn't post any beautiful messages to women but instead opted to remind people of the current state of our nation.
Later on in the month I posted tweets and messages from other women and also asked South African women where they feel the most safe.
I wasn't expecting men to engage with the posts but they were completely silent. No one said a single word or even expressed their anguish or disgust. Further proving the point that men aren't willing to engage in gender based violence topics. Below are screenshots of women's response to the question: Where in South Africa do you feel safe.
In summary women in South Africa don't feel safe anywhere. It's the sad reality that we live in. The posts that I put on my Instagram won't miraculously change how men view women in South Africa but they can't say they are unaware of the how dangerous their presence is.
As much as it's up to the government to ensure that abusers and killers are punished and their victims get justice, we shouldn't have to live in fear daily and we wouldn't need to if men were not predators.
Hopefully 2021 Women's Month in South Africa will have a different tone.
Present day we still remember the women who marched for our rights but in a country known as the rape capital of the world, it's difficult to celebrate women when you are more likely to be raped than educated.
Last year's women's month was the same month were we mourned the death of Uyinene Mrwetyana and this year we are still angry and we are still mad at the constant rapes and killings of women. Which is why I didn't post any beautiful messages to women but instead opted to remind people of the current state of our nation.
Later on in the month I posted tweets and messages from other women and also asked South African women where they feel the most safe.
As much as it's up to the government to ensure that abusers and killers are punished and their victims get justice, we shouldn't have to live in fear daily and we wouldn't need to if men were not predators.