Hundreds support campaign launch
Many reach out for help during 16 Days of Activism
SIX HUNDRED people took to the streets of Kraaifontein yesterday in support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women and Children, which officially launches today. The march, organised by police, saw the crowd marching from the Kraaifontein Police Station, to the Central Park Sports Ground in Scottsdene.
Station Commander for Kraaifontein, Brigadier Gerda van Niekerk, said the march received a “positive response” from the people of Kraaifontein.
“First of all, I will say that I am overwhelmed, honoured to be a woman, and to see the support because I know that everyone had their own things to do today, but they found the time to come and support us, and that I am grateful for.
“This time of the year is one of the best stages because this is the time that many women reach out to us, and we assist so many victims of crime and child abuse.
“This, on the other hand, is also a sad time of the year for us as we recently lost our female constable, Amanda Ladlokova, in a shooting. It was a bad time for us and it’s not acceptable for us to lose a colleague in that way.
“This day brings all sorts of mixed emotions, but also seeing the young children and people coming to support this makes me happy, and we are looking forward to a safe festive season,” she said. Those who turned out in support included the Women’s Network, police station members, community members of Belmont Park, Scottsdene, Wallacedene, as well as pupils of Harvester Primary School, who are members of the drilling squad, and were led by a drum majorette.
Thirty pupils joined the march yesterday. The squad were announced as champions in the ninth annual SAPS schools marching and drilling competition in Mitchells Plain in October.
Harvester Primary School coach Dawood Davids said he wanted to educate pupils about abuse against women and children, and to make them active leaders in their communities in future.
”It is important for them to be aware of the things that happen in their communities, and they need to start practising to be good citizens,” said Davids.
While crime was a concern in the area, Van Niekerk said Wallacedene was of particular concern. LOCAL celebrities and Capetonians have pledged their support for the Don’t Look Away campaign, the Independent Media’s official 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.
Don’t Look Away is in support of the worldwide campaign to highlight gender-based violence from today, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day.
Singer Chad Saaiman said he fully endorsed the campaign.“We need to spread the word against violence. People need to support the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Speak against it, be open. People need to know there is support for them; they are not alone.”
Radio personality Liezel van derWesthuizen and Ryan O’Connor also pledged their support.
“Today I visited a school in Sir Lowry’s Park where children as young as grade one told their stories of when they were assaulted. A lot still needs to be done in the fight against women and children abuse,” said Van der Westhuizen. O’Connor said: “It is good media houses focus on the 16 Days of Activism campaign and issues such as violence against women and children.”
The social change initiative calls on people to paint their index finger with orange nail polish or wear something orange to show support. Orange is the colour identified by the United Nations to symbolise a brighter future without violence. Yesterday, building up to the launch Independent Media, we spoke to Capetonians in St George’s Mall.
Yusuf Hoosain said: “Unfortunately there is a minority group that does not regard women with the respect they deserve.”
Audrey Daniels said as a mother she experienced women and children abuse in Kalksteenfontein. “Also our women are keeping quiet about abuse, we need to educate our women so this thing of keeping quiet must stop today.”