Young South African women told to be independent
August 12th, 2011 - 10:31 am ICT by IANSPretoria, Aug 12 (IANS) A popular South African gospel artiste has asked young women to become educated, independent and avoid taking financial support as well as being abused by men, state-run news agency BuaNews reported.
Rebecca Malope said: “Your body isn’t worth 50 rand or a cell phone. Go to school and get an education so that tomorrow, you can be your own boss.”
She said most women were not afraid of robberies in their homes but of the men they stay with. The men come home drunk and commit heinous acts of abuse against the women and their children.
Malope urged women to walk away and to not tolerate the abuse.
“Don’t stay there because of the double storey. Go and be safe with your children,” she said.
Malope joined Gauteng province premier Nomvula Mokonyane and thousands of citizens to remember 20,000 South African women, who 55 years ago marched to the seat of government against racial segregation and discriminatory laws.
The Commission for Gender Equality has also called on men and women to play equal roles when it comes to dealing with issues such as gender-based violence and human trafficking.
“Gender issues are not women’s issues alone. For far too long, women’s organisations have taken the sole responsibility in dealing with issues like violence against women, lesbians and gays and human trafficking, as if men had nothing to do with them,” said spokesperson Javu Baloyi.
“This has to change. Men must assume their share of responsibility and join the feminist struggle against these issues,” he said.
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