International Women’s Day reports, pictures

STELLIES PROTEST TAKES AIM AT RAPE CULTURE

STELLENBOSCH University students bared their bodies in a “Slut Walk” through campus to put the spotlight on rape culture.

About 200 students took part in the walk in an effort to stand against gender discrimination, which they say has been normalised.

The students chanted, “My dress is not a yes” and “No means no”, to raise awareness about tvictim blaming and shaming of women.

A handful of male students participated.

Student Lascelles Marcus said: “We are here to take a stand against female oppression. We are here to say it is our bodies, it is our choice, whether we are fully clothed, or fully exposed.

“We are empowering ourselves to start bringing conversation here in Stellenbosch, to question gender norms, to question sexuality, and the definition of self respect and self worth. Consent is valuable.”

She said that in society today, women were placed under scrutiny and forced to meet gender norms and standards in order to be respected.

“Rape culture manifests in the form that if I wear a crop top or a (pair of) shorts, I’m seen as someone who disrespects myself – and therefore someone can take whatever they want, or say whatever they want to me.

“If I wear too much clothes, then I’m seen as a prude.

“Our bodies, and what we do with our sexuality, has nothing to do with our self-worth,” said Marcus.

Qonda Jodwana said the group aimed to dismantle gender-based discrimination, body shaming, rape culture and female oppression.

“Why is it when I say, I am raped, they will ask me, ‘What were you wearing? Were you drunk?’ Why is it that when I walk down the street in shorts and a crop top that people will start whistling?

“This is everyday life. People always brush off these things,” she said.

Luke Waltham said there was not enough support from male students on campus for movements of this nature, and those that empower women.

“I was raised in a feminist household, where my mom raised me and my sister and she taught us to be independent.

“She treated my sister and myself as equals.

‘‘So, when we come to a patriarchal society, I am blown away by this idea that men are more important than women and that men can treat women as objects,” he said.

“There is still a lot of conservatism at Stellenbosch itself, that’s why we need to create awareness. We need to get people talking. And start thinking. With movements like this, we can work together to make sure that men and women are treated as equals.”

The students chanted, ‘My dress is not a yes’ and ‘No means no’

Picture: AP MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Participants march to mark International Women’s Day in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.

Picture: JASON BOUD COURAGE: About 200 Stellenbosch University students took part in a ‘Slut Walk’ through their campus in an effort to stand against rape culture and gender discrimination.

Picture: AP DRIVEN: Filipino women march towards a downtown park to mark International Women’s Day in Manila.

Picture: EPA RECEPTION: Kenya’s Maasai women dance as they welcome UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres at an event to celebrate International Women’s Day in Nairobi.

Picture: REUTERS TAKING A STAND: A woman holds a placard during a rally for gender equality and against violence towards women on International Women’s Day yesterday in Kiev, Ukraine.

Picture: EPA JOYOUS: Indian folk artists dance to local tunes during a celebration of International Women’s Day in Bangalore, India. The day’s aims are to promote women’s rights and equality.

Picture: AP MARCHING ON: Filipino women display placards as they march during a rally at the US embassy to mark International Women’s Day in Manila, Philippines.