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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - As part of the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children campaign, men, women and children from across George took to the streets to make their voices heard in an attempt to stop abuse against all women and children.
They gathered in front of Checkers in York Street on Monday 27 November, from where they proceeded with a peaceful protest march.
George Municipality's social services department, law enforcement, correctional services, Thutuzela Care Centre, local police, the ACVV, the traffic department, the fire brigade, the Anglican Church brass band from Pacaltsdorp and representatives from various businesses took part in the march.
16 Days of Activism is an international awareness campaign that takes place every year from 25 November.
South Africa adopted it in 1998 as one of the intervention strategies towards creating a society free of violence.
Local businesswoman Sandra van Rensburg took part in the march. "I was a victim of gender based abuse and violence. My son and I had to flee for our lives. I was beaten and verbally abused. It took a while, but I got out of it. I survived and so can other women. I am a strong woman today and so are they," she said.
Watch a video below.
Deputy Mayor Gerrit Pretorius and Social Services Gender and Disability Coordinator, Ejustley Boshoff, at the ceremony after the march. Photo: Debra Sauer
After the march, the municipality's social services department hosted a short programme in the Civic Centre to empower and inform the public and victims of abuse.
"We are all aware of how many times gender based violence have made the front pages of our written media and how many times it is prevalent on social media platforms," said George Deputy Mayor Gerrit Pretorius, during his keynote address.
"As a city, we have reached a time where we need to add action to our words. We must stand together and combat this crime against humanity.
"Although it is known as the 16 days of activism, we need to ensure that it is maintained for 365 days of every year. It is time that men take up the responsibility of ensuring the safety of our women and children.
"The time of being quiet - the time of resting on our laurels - is over; the time of waiting for one another is over.
Martina Figeland, Isabella Alberts, Elizabeth Scheepers and Rosina Barnardo came from Blanco to show their support.
"We should take up the responsibility of ensuring safe families, safe neighbourhoods, safe communities, safe cities, a safe region, a safe province and a safe country. As fathers, we should be the role models."
Cllr Mercia Draghoender, who attended the programme at the civic centre, said that there are a lot of other types of abuse besides physical abuse.
"If your husband robs you of your money, that is also abuse." Draghoender's message to the community was that real men and women don't abuse each other.
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