South Africans weigh in on #16DaysOfActivism as campaign starts today
- Today marks the start of the international#16DaysOfActivism campaign which is a campaign against Gender-Based Violence
- Since early this morning local and international Twitter users have been taking to the app to share their thoughts
- Many South Africans have also pledged to observe the 16 days of activism and show their support
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Today marks the very first day of an international campaign, 16 Days of Activism, that has been started to both highlight and combat gender-based violence and other related crimes against women.
Since the start of the day, both local and international social media users have flocked online to share how they would be taking part in the 16-day campaign. Many have also shared personal stories of the abuse and ordeals they have suffered at the hands of men.
South Africans, who have a particularly gruesome record of gender-based violence have weighed in on the campaign, sharing their thoughts, experiences, and support. Read a few of their tweets below.
@BeynonSammy
"I am a product of a single, working class Mother. Like her, I am a survivor of gender based violence. I want to thank her for, even in her suffering & death, inspiring hope. For encouraging me to develop a questioning mind - to reject injustice whenever I hear & see it. #16Days"
@MoanerLeaser said:
"The very least that we can do during the #16Days, is to center the real victims of gender-based violence in our conversations rather than give space to perpetrators. Listen to & amplify their voices, find out about organizations that work with abused women & children & donate."
@phumzileunwomen said:
"Ending gender-based violence means bigger investments in prevention, communication, survivor services & humanitarian response. The #GenerationEquality Forum in 2021 is the world’s moment to step up."
Source: Getty Images
In other Briefly.co.za news, Police Minister Bheki Cele has released the Second Quarter Crime Statistics for the period between July and September 2020. Speaking during a press briefing to release the report, Cele revealed that murder in SA had seen a slight decline, with 339 fewer cases recorded with 5 107 people murdered in total.
Analysis of dockets revealed that 1992 of the murders had taken place in public spaces such as beaches, parks, streets or open fields. Cele noted with alarm that arguments and misunderstandings remain the main drivers of murder. Robberies, vigilantism, and gang conflicts also feature high on the list of some of the causes of murder.
Turning to Gender-based violence, Cele noted a drop in the number of sexual offenses reported, citing a 16.8% dip in crimes such as rape and sexual assault. An 18.8% decrease in the number of rapes was recorded but Cele described July, August, and September as 'dangerous months for thousands of women' in SA.
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Source: Briefly News
