The 'not in my name' march aims to promote healthy relationships

RELATED LINKS: Campaign to end violence kicks off JOHANNESBURG executive Mayor Amos Masondo launched the 2002 Sixteen Days of Peace campaign against domestic violence and abuse of women and children, at the City's Visitor and Resource Centre by signing a pledge for peace. Read more Gender links FOR a complete calendar of events detailing all the campaign activities per province and per organisation, visit the Genderlinks website. Click here

Real men march against domestic violence WITH the theme 'Not in my name', about 500 men will march through the streets of Soweto to take a stand against the abuse of women and children. June 14, 2005 By Bafana Nzimande HUNDREDS of men are expected to join a march through the streets of Soweto on Saturday, 18 June against abuse of women and children. The march is to voice their opposition to the number of domestic violence cases affecting women and children. Set to coincide with Fathers' Day, the march is aimed at discouraging all forms of domestic violence by men, promoting healthy relationships among communities and celebrating responsible male figures who have championed the role of fatherhood. Fathers' Day is the following day, on Sunday, 19 June. "This march is meant to send a clear message to everyone out there that a huge majority of men are strongly against violence against women and children," said Dean Peacock, the programme manager of EngenderHealth South Africa. "But it is also an opportunity to invite all real man to unite and stand up against those few male perpetrators of domestic violence." Members of the City's law enforcement departments, representatives from non-governmental organisations against women and children abuse and general members of the public will take part in the march, which is supported by the City of Johannesburg. It will start at 9am in Thokoza Park, Rockville, and will wind its way towards the Moraka Police Station to deliver a draft memorandum to senior police officials. From there the marchers will make their way back to Thokoza Park for speeches and entertainment. Not all the day's events have been finalised yet, but Peacock said numerous dignitaries, including Bafana Khumalo from the Commission on Gender Equality and Dumisani Rebombo of the Men as Partners Network, among others, were expected to speak. "We are still waiting for a few approvals from certain invited guests, but aside from that, everything is running according to plan. Everyone is invited to come forward and show their support of this very important initiative, because it is about time we revisit the true meaning of the word men," Peacock said. Real men did not abuse women or children. "That is the first quality of being a man. A minority of males long deserted that main element and we need to address that." The theme of the march is "Not in my name". Organisers say all safety measures have been taken to ensure the march runs smoothly. For more information about the "Not in name" march, phone 011 833 0504 or 072 451 7751. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za