In keeping with the global campaign of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the Phoenix Survival Centre (PSC) for abused, abandoned and destitute women, joined by various organisations and concerned members of the public, took to the streets of Phoenix on Monday morning, 27 November, to raise awareness on the pressing issue of gender-based violence. .
This year marks the 25th anniversary since South Africa initiated the 16 Days of Activism campaign which continues to raise awareness about the heinous and ongoing tidal wave of violence and abuse levelled against women and children. Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid, co-founder of Phoenix Survival Centre, Caroline Govender, said that their voice and calls to end gender-based violence will not be silenced.
She said: “The Phoenix Survival Centre is a home for abused, abandoned and destitute women of all nationalities, languages, religious backgrounds, cultures and ethnic groups. The primary objective at this facility is to house women who face physical, emotional, physiological and sexual abuse. A home that endeavours to encourage, inspire, uplift, motivate and educate abused women back to society. Our communities are very familiar with the depressing statistics on the prevalence of violence against women and children, this is a pandemic that has spiralled out of control and is just escalating every year.”
Govender said South Africa has the highest gender-based violence and femicide rates in the world and that these statistics are notoriously high. “It has also been widely reported that SA is one of the most violent countries in the world and not forgetting one the most unsafe places in the world for a woman to live. Therefore, today we stand in solidarity with the 16 Days of Activism campaign to oppose violence against women and children and we will ensure that our voices get even louder every single year until we win the fight against this pandemic,” said Govender.
The placard demonstration held on the streets of Phoenix on Monday morning served to bring courage to victims of abuse who are often afraid to speak out. They urged victims to speak out and break the cycle of abuse.
“In the same breath, perpetrators must realise that it is time to down-tools and become game-changers for a peaceful home, community, society and country. The success of the 16 Days of Activism campaign depends on our daily individual and collective actions to safeguard our societies against the cycle of abuse. We should be custodians of each other and if you are concerned for your own safety, should you not be concerned of the next person?” she asked. “It is during the silence that victims end up in such tragic circumstances, therefore we should not turn a blind eye or be hesitant to ask questions to help another person,” said Govender.
She encouraged members of the community to join the fight against the scourge of violence and rid society of inhumane acts and abuse in all its forms. “Let’s speak out against all forms of violence. Be courageous; don’t be afraid to speak up for those who have lost their voice or dignity and use your voice to break the silence of abuse,” added Govender.
In his address at the launch of the ‘Raising a boy child Campaign’ in Durban, at the start of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “Women are not the possessions of men. God never decreed in that way, so as a man, forget it. The woman that you love or are married to is not your possession. She is not your football to kick around. What you should do is respect her and treat her with dignity. So let us live up to what our Constitution teaches us.”
“When people look at our country, they see a country that is beset with gender-based violence. It is a scourge, a shame and something we cannot be proud of as men. It is a blight on our country. When the whole world looks at South Africa, they say that it is the home of gender-based violence. We have got to end this. We must wear the badge of honour, the badge of respect by men for women,” said President Ramaphosa.
Phoenix SAPS communications officer, Captain Louise Naidoo, who was part of the demonstration in Phoenix, said: “The 16 Days of Activism campaign inspires us to learn, reflect, and take action to end violence against women and children. However, we should be taking a stance against all forms of abuse on women and children 365 days annually. Violence and abuse is something that affects anybody at anytime, it does not discriminate against race, age, or body size with victims sadly being abused throughout the year. The statistics of gender-based violence have increased over the years and with this campaign which focuses on raising awareness to the devastating impact that violence has on women and children as well as the social fabric of society, we are hoping to make an impact during this time and put an end to the ongoing cycle of abuse in our communities.”
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children officially kicked-off on 25 November and will run until 10 December. Should you need any assistance regarding abuse, email: phoenixsurvivalcentre@gmail.com
