November 25, 2004
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE women sit chatting about love, life and other things that are important to them. They talk about their children, about how beautiful their wedding day was.
Then the conversation takes a sinister twist. Slowly the tales of beatings, of abuse, start to emerge.
These conversations are part of a dramatic presentation - Flipping the Script - staged at the launch of Sixteen Days of Activism on Gender Violence, at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein on Wednesday 24 November.
These conversations, the actors remind the audience, could be taking place in any house, anywhere in the country.
The annual campaign aims to highlight the effects of gender violence and find ways to prevent women and children abuse.
"We need to look at ways to disseminate information to people at grassroots level," says information co-ordinator at Women'sNet, Sally-Jean Shackleton. "As I see it, rights and respect go hand in hand."
She adds: "We need 365 days of activism - not just 16 days - to do away with abuse of any kind."
The insightful Flipping the Script looks at women's choices in men, contrasting the beautiful wedding day against the often harsh reality of the present and explores the paths women find themselves on, and how and when the problems of abuse start.
"As we watch the play, we recognise someone we know, or even ourselves, in those situations," says Councillor Rehana Moosajee. "And we are encouraged to speak out about these experiences."
After the play a survivor of gender violence spoke out about her experiences. "He used to call me names and beat me. There was a time when he even told me not to use the main bedroom with him anymore. This broke my heart," Martha Seloane told the gathering. "I stayed with him for the sake of the children."
The Sixteen Days of Activism runs from November 25, International Day of No Violence against Women, to December 10.
"This is our chance, as South Africans, to speak out about women and children abuse," says Council Speaker, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza.
The Sixteen Days of Activism gives people throughout southern Africa the opportunity to speak out, to organise campaigns and to raise awareness.
In Johannesburg, advocacy group, Gender Links, together with the City of Johannesburg and NGOs such as the Gender Advocacy Programme, the Nisaa Institute for Women's Development and the Tshwaranang Men's Movement of South Africa, will hold discussions and workshops in various communities.
This year organisers have also introduced a new method to tackle the issue of gender violence - the Internet. Cyber Dialogues will allow people to express their opinions, raise awareness and help change attitudes and behaviour.
"With Cyber Dialogues available at our disposal, we will have a chance to make a difference and be vocal in any way," says Mayathula-Khoza.
Different topics will be discussed daily and people can participate by logging on to www.cyberdialogues.co.za. The chat room is open daily between 1pm and 2pm.
For those who do not have access to the Internet, a cyber café has been set up at the Metro Centre for the next 16 days. People can also post their ideas on specific issues on the bulletin board for further discussion.
"We need to bring rural communities on board because they are the ones we are aiming at. They also need to be taught about the Internet and be part of the Cyber Dialogues," says Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Cheryl Gillwald.
"We hope the Cyber Dialogues will not just be shop talk, but that people will support the idea. What is clear is that there is still a lot to be done," says Gender Links Executive Director, Colleen Lowe Morna.
Another aspect of the campaign involves people signing postcards, pledging support for the campaign. These cards can then be posted and will be forwarded to the Council.
In addition, one of the country's leading football teams, Kaizer Chiefs, will be dedicating their Premier Soccer League match against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, 27 November at Soccer City to the campaign.
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