Gender-based violence: leave our women alone!

We live in a broken world. A world where women are violated purely because of their gender. This is not new. But we are seeing a lot of gender-based violence in the news is because women are no longer keeping quiet. They are speaking out and speaking LOUD! Many women from previous generations were – and still are – too frightened to report this kind of abuse. Friends and family have decided for whatever reason not to get involved. Yet the hard truth of it is that as long as we keep quiet, we silently allow this sickness to grow in our society.

As the future of our country, the youth can play your part in stopping this senseless abuse. You can be the generation that says, “It ends with me!”. This Women’s Day, pledge your ongoing support against gender-based violence. Every action counts! How?

Know exactly what gender-based violence really is

How will you be able to report it, if you don’t know exactly what it means? The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women defines gender-based violence as: “Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life”. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), it is estimated that a shocking one in three women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime.

Know the history and reason for celebrating Women’s Day

National Women’s Day in South Africa commemorates the 1956 march of approximately 20 000 women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the country’s pass laws. These pass laws forced South Africans defined as “black” under The Population Registration Act to carry an internal passport, known as a pass, that served to segregate, control and manage migrant labour during the apartheid era. These women marched and stood silently outside the Union Buildings for 30 minutes in a non-violent and incredibly dramatic demonstration of solidarity against these inhumane laws. On August 9, 1995, the first National Women’s Day was observed honouring the brave women who took a stand.

Speak to men, and show your disgust for this repulsive behavior

If you are a man, it’s time to man up against gender-based violence. Don’t be scared to speak out about it to your friends, family and colleagues. It could one day be your daughter who is violated. If you stand up against it now, you will be playing your part in making this world a better place for future generations to come. Don’t turn a blind eye. Don’t be that guy.

One day it could be one of your own

You are still young, but one day you will have a family of your own. It is your duty to teach your girls to speak out against gender-based violence. Teach them to understand what it is and how to recognise it. Make sure they are empowered enough to report it, even if they are a witness or a victim. Teach your boys to stand against it and stand up to it. Teach them the right way to treat a woman. They will learn from you; they are watching how you treat women so set a good example. How you treat your future wife, and your female friends is how they will one day treat theirs. How you behave can make a difference.

Silence is a killer

Don’t leave anything you witness unreported. These cowardly men, who use their physical strength to dominate, hurt and control women, must be rejected outright by your generation. You have the power to make a difference. Use your power well.