Rock Girls Audery and Nazeerah
THE Rock Girls have been out on the streets of central Cape Town, asking young people about their opinions, their lives as teenagers and what they think about the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
Eighteen-year-old Antonio Soxujwa said many of his peers were influenced by drugs and gangsters, which were quite tempting, especially for those who were easily swayed.
“I don’t see anything changing during the 16 days of Activism, so I don’t really take part in it.
“The change I want to see is that women should be treated equally.
“My message for men is that they should appreciate the women they have in life because without the women, we would be nothing. We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them.”
Ru-eeza Hendricks, 18, said: “Living in South Africa is difficult for youngsters because we have a huge rate of unemployment, and for me, it’s hard because it’s my last year in high school.
“What do I do next year? I can’t go study due to the #FeesMustFall protests.”
Adam van der Schyff, also 18 years old, said: “My message to women and men out there is that women must not allow men to abuse them because some women do allow men to abuse them.”
Tasrique Meyer, 18, said: “I want to see that men and women treated equally.”
Samantha Navarro, 15, said: “The change I want to see is that every community should stand up for their rights because every women and child has the right to freedom.”
Angela Valdes, 16, said: “Sixteen Days of Activism means a lot to me as a woman because all around the world, women are abused, but this is the only time it is being discussed.”
Ashwin Williams, 16, said: “The change I want to see is that there should be less abuse, and that men should cherish their women children.”
This is what the youngsters have to say about South Africa and the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and children campaign.
We as youngsters really hope that abuse stops because that’s not what we want for our future generations.
We want to see the changes, so let’s all stand together and fight against abuse. and