Unite. This is the theme of this year’s 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children (25 November to 10 December). It is quite simple and straightforward, yet at the same time very difficult to achieve. We know that in unity there is safety, not to mention protection and prevention.
The very inception of 16 days of activism, worldwide, was to create awareness of a disturbing social phenomenon that is rapidly developing into a norm – perpetuating the scourge of violence against the most vulnerable in our society, women and children. It is a festering sore that sees only a handful of cases reported to the police because people are scared or are told not to by others because of the shame.
Of the cases reported only a few suspects are actually brought to book. We as women, men and children need to unite in the wake of these atrocities. Yes, it is easy to turn a blind eye or tell others not to report because we may well know the perpetrators. But what one is actually doing is enabling these vile monsters to continue murdering and raping innocent women and children. It is time we did away with the illusions of safety and comfort we placate ourselves with and take a proactive united stand against what amounts to a form of national (and global) genocide.
