ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: Standing Together Against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide

The Power of Women and Children NPC Stands in Solidarity with Women and Girls

This morning, The Power of Women and Children NPC (PoWC) joined hands with fellow civil society organisations, Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners, community members and concerned citizens to stand in solidarity with women and girls who continue to lose their lives to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide.

Our message was clear:

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Women and girls should not have to live in fear of violence. No family should have to bury a mother, daughter, sister, wife or child because of gender-based violence. Every life lost is a life that mattered, a family that is left grieving, and a community that is left wounded.

The march began at Lehae Phase 1 Park and proceeded through the community, ending at Lehae Phase 3 Park. The march brought together people from different organisations and backgrounds, united by one common purpose: to raise our voices against GBV and Femicide and demand safer communities for women and children.

We sincerely appreciate the South African Police Service (SAPS) for providing an escort and helping to ensure that the march could proceed safely.

GBV IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE

Gender-based violence cannot be addressed by government and law enforcement alone. It requires the active involvement of families, schools, churches, community organisations, civil society, traditional and community leaders, workplaces and every individual within our communities.

We must challenge attitudes and behaviours that normalise violence against women and girls. We must speak up when we see abuse. We must support survivors and ensure that children grow up understanding that violence is never an acceptable way to resolve conflict.

Most importantly, we must not wait until another woman or girl becomes a victim before we act.

OUR CHILDREN MUST GROW UP IN SAFETY

As an organisation committed to the protection and wellbeing of women and children, The Power of Women and Children NPC believes that the fight against GBV must begin early.

Our ECD practitioners and organisations working with children have an important role to play in building a generation that understands respect, dignity, equality, compassion and non-violence.

The communities we build today will shape the world our children inherit tomorrow.

OUR VOICES MUST NOT BE SILENCED

Today’s march was more than a walk. It was a statement.

A statement that women are human beings.

A statement that girls deserve to grow up without fear.

A statement that families deserve to live without violence.

A statement that communities must take responsibility.

And a statement that silence cannot be the response to violence.

The Power of Women and Children NPC remains committed to working alongside civil society organisations, ECDs, community structures, law enforcement and other partners to strengthen awareness, prevention, support and action against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

We call upon everyone in our communities to become part of the solution.

Speak out. Stand up. Support survivors. Protect children. Challenge violence.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Women are human beings. They deserve to live.

The Power of Women and Children NPC
Standing together. Speaking out. Protecting women and children.

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