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Violence Against Women Must Stop

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The Gqeberha branch of the Business Women’s Association South Arica issued this statement today:

It is with utmost sadness and grave concern that the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWASA) Gqeberha Branch boldly speaks out regarding the violence against women in our region.

The noted increase in recent attacks on women, relates to two of the non-derogable Constitutional Rights of South African citizens, relating to Section 11 (the right to life) and Section 12 (the right to freedom and security of the person – (d & e) respectively.

Section 11 refers to the right to life, and
Section 12:
(d – the right not to be tortured in anyway) and
(e) – the right not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman, or degrading way)

The perpetual rise of violence against women MUST STOP. It violates the Constitutional Right to not merely breathe, but to live a full life without fear.

We strongly condemn the most recent incidences, of missing Ayanda Emenaha whose body was found burnt beyond recognition, and the violent murder of Marolien Schmidt, just over an hour into the commemoration of National Women’s Day on the 9th of August.

On August 9, 1956, over 20,000 women of all races staged a march on the Union Buildings of Pretoria to protest against the Urban Areas Act of 1950 amendments. After the silent protest, songs were sung to honour the event, to make sure their voices were heard. The song they sang was composed specifically for the event, titled “Wathint’Abafazi Wathint’imbokodo” which translates to “You strike a woman, you strike a rock.” The day draws attention to the issues African women faced then and still face today, including domestic violence, murder, workplace sexual harassment, the lack of safety and security of person, unequal pay, girls not being allowed to go to school, and no-help parenting, to name a few.

We can make a difference, by acting in solidarity, both women and men of South Africa, to declare “Enough is Enough”.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.