GEORGE NEWS - Members of George Museum in conjunction with George Municipality kicked off their 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence at the museum on Wednesday morning, 24 November.
The museum hosted a pledging ceremony for men to do their part against gender-based violence in George.
In his welcoming speech, acting museum manager Errol Jaftha stressed that it is the responsibility of the men in our community to protect our wives and children at any cost.
During the ceremony, male passers-by were handed information pamphlets and asked to join the pledge.
Thuthuzela Care Centre's Angelique Vezasie
Angelique Vezasie of the Thuthuzela Care Centre at George Hospital said we need to recognise that not only women and children, but also men are suffering from gender-based violence.
"People think that men don't cry, that men don't have feelings. But it's wrong. It's time that men also come forward about the abuse that they suffer," she said.
Vezasie went on to explain the various forms of abuse committed in our communities and what can be done for sufferers of abuse. The 16 Days of Activism campaign is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
It was started by activists at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991.
George Municipality's senior manager at Community Development: Libraries and Sport, Shanold Marillac, signs his pledge against the abuse of women and children.
Role players who organised the event at the George Museum. Photos: Kristy Kolberg
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