Readers discuss gender-based violence
For our latest Facebook question, we asked our readers how government should deal with gender based-violence, and if they thought 16 days of activism was enough.
Wall of Words Port Alfred News wrote: “16 days of activism is meaningless. The men and even women committing these atrocities probably march with everyone else and look as normal as your best friend. We are raising boys and girls into men and women with no respect, responsibility or values. It starts at home when children are growing up either they have poor role models as parents or non-existent parents who allow them to do what they want, when they want how they want.
“We have sick old men in our society so addicted to pornography that they take it one step further and molest then rape. We have people in our police force who desecrate the meaning of what it means to defend the people and use their power to hurt and manipulate people, teachers using their authority to overpower students. We have a nation under duress,”
Beverly Young said: “Punishment must be harsh. Police have to become more aware of the crime of rape and wife/woman beating. If reported they must be compelled to take immediate action. Now I know this is going to be the hiccup as from what I have seen in my long life, is that while a 'wife' might be screaming for help today, when sobered up, the mere thought of her partner who possibly is the bread winner, will change her mind regarding life incarceration.
“We need to understand, that men are raped as well. From what I understand, the prisons are a nightmare for this sin. I saw our current president on television yesterday; he was making a statement to the effect that rape and {female} beating, will in future carry a life sentence,” Young said.
“I would urge that all schools, and universities, have monitored cameras that look into every aspect of the facility, as I have read the terrible stories of rape, and child molestation, in these places.”
Sjean Pearson said: “Those few days don’t stop years of wrong! What a joke our government is.”
Neil Human said: “They can perhaps start by acknowledging that a culture of buying and selling women as property may be a significant contributor to the absurd sense of entitlement felt by some that still endorse these archaic practices.”
Hazel Schreiber said: “No, but life imprisonment with hard labour might help.”
Sue Gordon said: “The question shouldn’t be 'what should the government do' – rather what should SA society is doing to change. It starts, like many things, in the home, with the boy child and continues with education. Where are the absentee fathers? Where are the good male role models for young boys? 16 days of activism should be 365.”