×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Standing up to abuse of women and children

THE public has come out in full support of a campaign aimed at changing attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women.

THE public has come out in full support of a campaign aimed at changing attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women.

As the country winds up the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Durban this week saw more than 2000 women and men gathering at The Workshop where a 25metre high billboard of the badly bruised face of an abused woman had been erected as part of the campaign.

The crowd, dressed in white T-shirts then formed a human white ribbon, which is an international symbol to end all forms of violence.

Director of the KwaZulu-Natal Network on Violence Against Women Cookie Edwards, who organised the campaign in partnership with Project Concern International, said the aim was to stir debate around social norms that have kept violence against women and children alive.

"The gathering is one of the first in the country that interrogates the root cause of violence against women, the attitudes and beliefs held by men and women in our communities.

"In order to begin to solve this problem, we need to recognise the damage we do if we perpetuate these social norms."

She said the group would submit its claim for the largest human ribbon formation record to Guinness World Records for verification.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.