#Beboldtellyourstory Campaign as a vehicle for change

#beboldtellyourstory

One in every four women is physically abused by her intimate partner. Every six hours, a woman is killed by her current or former intimate partner.

These are some of the shocking statistics that illustrate the extent of violence against women in South Africa.

According to the South African Domestic Violence Act of 1998, domestic violence is defined as “Sexual abuse; emotional abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, economic abuse, psychological abuse, stalking, damage to property, harassment, entry into the complainant’s residence without consent, where involved parties do not share the same residence; or any abusive or controlling behavior towards a complainant, where such conduct harms, or may cause immediate harm to the safety, health or wellbeing of the complainant”

Any form of abuse can be difficult for the person being abused for many reasons. However, not talking about abuse can be one of the reasons abusers continue to abuse.

This August, CWSA will run a social media campaign where women who have been previously abused will speak out against violence and encourage other women to be bold and stand for their rights.

“Boldness is needed to effect change and it is time to time to join forces and take bold actions to accelerate a positive change and end violence against women and children”, says Dr. Benny Obayi Acting National Executive Director of CWSA.

Each one of us – with women, men and non-binary people joining forces – can be a leader within our own spheres of influence by taking bold pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity. Through purposeful collaboration, we can help women advance and unleash the limitless potential offered to economies the world over.

The World Economic Forum predicts that the gender gap between men and women will only entirely close in 2186. This is a very long time from now, thus, women will continue to be subjected to forms of discrimination and inequalityThere is a need for renewed and determined action to shorten this time and make a positive change in the lives of women worldwide, starting with the girl child.

Women deserve to be treated equally with men and not subjected to discriminatory and violent treatment.

Will you #BeBoldForChange on Women’s Day 2017 and beyond by taking action that truly drives the greatest change for women?

Catch all the stories of inspiring women on the Child Welfare South Africa Facebook and Twitter pages.

https://www.facebook.com/childwelfaresa/