'To lead society into action does not necessarily require a demonstration' NOT IN our name. That's the word from a group of government leaders, social workers, members of the clergy and the media who joined a forum of men who speak out and stand up against rape and other forms of violence against women in South Africa.
Brothers for Life is a national campaign that seeks to help men recognise the role men play in sexual violence as well as what they can do to educate communities about ways to decrease crimes against women.
At an event to launch the forum, deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe urged men to collaborate in the antirape campaign. He called for civil society to take up the mantle of saving South Africa's women in partnership with the government, and encouraged the media to be a voice for the voiceless.
The event came against a backdrop of increasing concern about gratuitous violence in society in general, most recently details emerging of a video which shows security officials beating up an elderly woman at a store in Limpopo. LeadSA activist Yusuf Abramjee said men should recommit themselves to protecting women and children.
"More awareness, more talking and more momentum on the issue will certainly make the difference in the long run," Abramjee said. 65 000 sexual assaults were reported last year. "At the end of the day, it's not only the government's role (to protect women), it's the role of civil society" Patrick Shai, an actor and a previously a woman abuser, said boys turned to drugs or emulated the wrong role-models because families had broken down.
"Boys seek alternative fathers outside their homes," said Shai. Editor of The Star Makhudu Sefara said it was shameful that when Thandeka Madonsela was raped, killed, mutilated and her body dumped on the side of the road, this elicited little more than condemnation from society "We have sadly become inured and desensitised, not just to rape, but the violent manner in which it now occurs," said Sefara.
Motlanthe said that in order to mobilise people around the tragedy that befell Thandeka, "we must not only report the news, but must seek a pattern and challenge society to act. "To lead society into action does not necessarily require a demonstration," Motlanthe added.
Wits students will tomorrow show their solidarity with the cause in a silent protest. This follows a similar protest at Rhodes University.
By: SUSAN DU
Source: PRETORIA NEWS