Shabangu calls for noise on International Men’s Day
Minister in the Presidency for Women Susan Shabangu on Thursday called on South African men to show their solidarity with women and children who were victims of violence by making a noise on International Men’s Day next week.
Opening the debate on the 16 days of no violence against women and children in the National Assembly, Shabangu said while the United Nations declared November 19 International Men’s Day to focus on men’s health, it was also a day for men to show they won’t tolerate gender-based violence.
“On Thursday next week, the 19th, we call on all South Africans to switch on their hazard lights, blow whistles, and hoot for at least five minutes in the period between 07h30 and 08h00 in the morning to register their concern, especially men who are saying ‘not in my name’,” she told MPs.
“I also want to call across the nation to stand up and say ‘count me in on this day’, we want to hear the cacophany of sounds as South Africans join forces to be heard saying ‘enough is enough’. We call on all male members of Parliament to join thousands of South African men to say …’enough is enough’.”
The 16 days of activism against no violence against women and children takes place each year between November 25 and December 10.
Shabangu called on the country’s citizens to light a candle for the hundreds of women and children who died at the hands of violent perpertrators each year on the eve of the start of the 16 days of activism.
“We appeal to all South Africans to switch off their lights between 20h00 and 21h00 on the 24th of November and light a candle in memory of many South African women and children who have died as a result of this scourge.”
File photo: Presidency website