South African heroine from the Jes Foord Foundation on 16 Days of Activism
Empowering change in South Africa.
This article may be triggering to sensitive readers. This is a matter that we intend to approach sensitively and is intended to raise awareness and without judgment or prejudice.
"My strength is not defined by what happened to me but by my courage to share my story and stand tall as a survivor."
In South Africa, the annual '16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence' campaign serves as a powerful rallying call to address and combat the issue of violence against women and children.
Running from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, International Human Rights Day, this initiative aims to raise awareness, inspire action, and promote dialogue surrounding gender-based violence.
Read More: LISTEN: Jes Foord Foundation looks back on 10 years of activism
Survivor and founder of the Jes Foord Foundations joins us in studio to shed light on the prevalence of gender-based violence and what resources there are available to assist. Take a listen here:
The Jes Foord Foundation is a non-profit PBO (public benefit organisation) that coordinates various projects in an effort to educate, create awareness, and change attitudes though advocacy and other initiatives.
The Jes Foord foundation share: "It has been estimated that 40% of South African women will be raped in their lifetime and that 116 rapes occur in the country every day. Furthermore, only 1 in 4 cases are reported and lower than 9% of perpetrators are convicted. It is a sad reality that South Africa’s rape statistics are currently among the highest in the world. It is, however, our aim to address the problem itself: the prevalence of rape in our society."
Some of the initiatives they offer include the Handbag Project, The Young Men’s Mentorship Program, Awareness Talks and free Trauma Counselling – all of which have a unique purpose, but work together in addressing the problem.
For more information or assistance, click here.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign in South Africa plays a crucial role in driving societal change and pushing towards a future free from gender-based violence.
Play your part, as shared by the South African Government:
- Reject and report abusers- Act and don’t look away!
- Do not protect abusers, report them!
- Sign the Pledge Against Gender-Based Violence. Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser- Stop abuse.
- Challenge and denounce cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequalities
- Be sensitive and supportive to GBV victims - share helpful information and support causes near you.
- Seek personal help to change harmful behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse
- Teach children values of gender equality
- Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content on internet and social media, including pornography, sexual solicitation
- Develop policies that prevent and deal with gender based violence in your sector, workplace and communities.
- Organise targeted community outreach and dialogues on solution towards a gender equal society.
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
- Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet
- Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606
- Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
More on East Coast Radio:
Image supplied