1 000 Women Trust standing up to gender-based violence
“THE epidemic of violence against women and girls that sees one of every four women in an abusive relationship and a murder of a woman every six days has to stop, and it’s time to break the silence,” said Elana AfrikaBredenkamp, master of ceremonies at the 1000 Women Trust Initiative flagship event last Thursday, in front of a capacity crowd at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
All tickets for the flagship event of 1000 Women Trust were sold out.
Photographer Karin Schermbrucker, who delivered the keynote address, said a centrepiece of the life of women who have to endure so much is courage. Schermbrucker encouraged women to press on courageously in South Africa.
“I will not be intimidated, discouraged or dissuaded from standing up for the rights of those who suffer injustice. I will not fear, in fact, we have an even greater resolve to speak up for those who cannot do so.
“My standing up here today is testimony to many of the courageous women in my life – who have helped me find my voice and have always called me to more – women who have fought for justice and believed that we can and should help change the lives of women all over the world,” Schermbrucker said.
“As one of the bravest women of our time, Wangari Maathai said: ‘We cannot tire or give up, we owe it to the present and future generations of all species to rise up and walk’.”
Schermbrucker quoted the famous photographer Annie Griffiths, of National Geographic, who said: “When faced with the sheer magnitude of global need, most of us feel completely overwhelmed. How can we possibly make a difference?
“But when each of us can search inside ourselves for a little acorn of time or passion or ability, and find creative ways to offer that gift, then a forest begins to grow.”
Afrika-Bredenkamp added: “For 14 years we (at 1000 Women Trust) have fought a battle to bring an end to what can only be called an epidemic.
“In South Africa, one out of every four women is in an abusive relationship. Every six days a women is murdered by her partner, every 25 seconds of every day a woman in South Africa is raped.
“And this has to stop. It will stop. It does not happen to other people. It happens among us. It is time to break the silence.
“Today is a celebration of courage, faith and most of all hope. You are here today because your company or a sponsor wants to make sure the 1 000 women 1 Voice Fund can continue to bring hope and create change,” Afrika-Bredenkamp said.
She celebrated the force of social media to foster social change through the use of the #Enoughisenough.
A candle was lit to commemorate the lives of women who lost their lives to rape or through gender violence.
During a three-minute video clip played during the lunch attended by more than 1 000 women, the rape culture and disrespect for life in South Africa was highlighted as a major problem which causes the horrendous abuse and killing of women.
Guests were invited to bring toiletries, soft toys and tin food for the shelters.
This year, the shelters are the beneficiaries and the 1 000 Women Unite Trust is working with a number of new shelters. Helpline numbers: 1. Tears helpline: *134*7355# 2. GBV (gender-based violence) national hotline: Dial *120*7867# (free) from any cellphone and a social worker will call back. We are available Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day. GBV Hotline: 080 042 8428 3. Stop gender violence: 0800 150 150 4. Human Trafficking hotline 080 022 277.