Women’s walk in CBD extends support network
The message of transformation, diversity and humanity came out strongly
WOMEN, men and children from all parts of the city came together to extend a support network as they took part in the annual Women’s Humanity Walk through the CBD.
The walk was organised by the Artscape Theatre Centre and the SA Faith and Family Institute.
It formed part of the 12th edition of the Artscape Women’s Humanity Arts Festival, with the theme this year of A Spotlight on Cultural Diversity: Transformation and healing through the arts.
The festival, which runs until August 18, has a jampacked programme featuring dance and musical performances by a number of community groups, including the Cape Cultural Collective Rosa Choir, Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies, Kleinvlei Fitness Club and the Gugulethu United We Stand Pantsula Dancers.
The Cancer Association of SA, in partnership with nonprofit organisation TB HIV Care and the home-based care non-profit organisation Arisen Women and Opportunity to Serve Ministry, conducted health screenings, while the Southern Suburbs Legal Advice Centre offered free legal advice and counselling.
Artscape chief executive Marlene le Roux said: “The walk went exceptionally well.... There were persons with dis- ability, young boys, young girls and it was a family humanity walk. We felt we reached out to everybody from different walks of life. The message of transformation, diversity and humanity came out very strongly and we combined that with the message to combat gender violence with action.
“The walk is about us talking to each other, because sometimes you feel so alone in your abuse that you think it’s only happening to you, while most of us are sometimes going through different kinds of abuse. Then (after talking) we can assist each other.”
Florence Xulu from the Local Network in Khayelitsha attended the event with a group of women from her community. She said their attendance was important because “it shows us how we will get our freedom”.
“We still face abuse, poverty, lack of communication with those who are in Parliament, because they don’t come to us to ask: ‘What do you need, what do you want?’
“As women we want to be empowered by other women who are in Parliament. Teach us skills so we can make things for our next generations.”