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Barely after the much-celebrated Women’s Month has concluded a protest is looming. South Africa has found itself at a similar position to 2018 when the community organised #TotalShutdown march sparked by a surge in femicide reports, a similar position to the surge of femicide reports the year before that in 2017 following the wide reporting of Karabo Mokeona’s death, a similar position the year before that.
The high rate at which women and girls in South Africa are killed and abused is widely recorded.
READ MORE: A young woman abandoned by her father asks how we can move beyond #MenAreTrash
In a shaken state women have taken to social media to share their pains following the reports of Uyinene Mrwetyana’s death and her murderer being apprehended, and following the reports of multiple other women and girls being killed.
Among those murdered was 19-year-old Jesse Hess who was found beaten, 14-year-old Janika Mallo who was found with a serious head injury and boxing champion,Leighandre 'Baby Lee' Jegels who was shot dead by her boyfriend.
A study by 1st For Women reveals that out of the 500 respondents surveyed, 36% are more about the safety and security of their friends and family than themselves.
The survey also shows that women are increasing security measures where they can with 44% of the women surveyed having installed tracking device on their children’s cellphones, 33% having increased the security at their home and 16% having installed additional security features their vehicles.
READ MORE: “One child too many” - #TheTotalShutdown protests to support the alleged Dros child rape victim
The #AmINext conversation that has gone viral shows greatest fears women in South Africa have following the surge in reporting of femicide, not only for their loved ones but for themselves as well. Women have also come out to share shocking stories of when they were violated. Most of them were shut down by officials or even their families when they tried to report the incidents.
Suggestions of getting pepper sprays and other self defence mechanisms are floating around but the issue remains the same, women are terrified in South Africa. These are some of the thoughts women are sharing:
Im walking in town and this dum*** just tried to touch my face, calling me "baby"! It's things like this! Who gave you have the right!! ????we need a reboot as a country #AmINext
— Gugu Mlondo (@gugungaleka10) September 3, 2019
One time I was sexually harassed by my uncle and went to report it with my friend Maps
— Moonchild Sanelly (@Moonsanelly) September 3, 2019
The cops both male and Women asked me what was I wearing and why did I dance with my uncle and that I should go home and talk about it with my family
They took me in the van and drove me home
My anxiety is at its peak! It’s business as usual. Men are still catcalling me and trying to get my attention. I’m punishing myself, timing myself and constantly looking over my shoulder. #AmINext
— all the women in me are tired. (@Miss_Cashy) September 3, 2019
It just dawned on me that I remember being 5 years old having to help my sister who was 17 at the time Fight off 5 guys who ran after us trying to harm her on our way back home after she fetched me from Creche ` ??#AmINext
— Badboyf|ames?? (@Sakhilenavy21) September 3, 2019
Today a classmate spoke about how she goes to THAT post office often and she was there on her own not too long ago. It could have been her, it could have been any one of us #AmINext
— Iman (@imand_96) September 3, 2019
I was lucky I survived.... But than again I can be next again. #AmINextpic.twitter.com/rWvPkDgwLg
— lulu™ (@Lulamagusha4) September 3, 2019
My ex fiance almost burnt me inside the house with petrol, a guy friend of mine raped me and denied it . Both are raoming the streets free and I am left living in fear and not trusting any single male in my life ??#AmINext
— Ndlovukazi ?? (@SurpriseNdzungu) September 2, 2019
South African’s are now calling for the government to declare gender-based violence in South Africa a state of emergency. A petition by Laura-Lee Gillion is calling for 300 000 signatures to call on the government to declare gender-based violence a state of emergency. Having garnered more than 260 000 signatures, Laura-Lee also calls for a march to Parliament on 21 September 2019.
Do you have any thoughts on having gender-based violence declared as a state of emergency? Chat to us here and tell us why.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact one of the organisations below:
- Gender-based violence Command Centre: “Please call me” facility: *120*7867#
- Emergency line: 0800 428 428
- POWA helpline: 0116424345
- Tears Foundation helpline: *134*7355# Or visit them by find the nearest offices here: tears.storefind.mobi
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