16 days is not  alot to ask for - 16 days in which no woman or child gets violated. I ask for 365 days, naively, knowing not in my life time. Statistics are staggering, stories of violence against women horrifies and what is missing is effective action that stops this epidemic, this public health hazard to women, societes globally. Policies are established, governments make pledges and yet within the intimacy of our lives men and women cannot commit to honour and respect each other. It is a traversty.

The global theme for 2010 is "militarism and violence against women".  For the first time on a global scale an awareness is   being raised about the horrific impact of wars, conflict, emergency situations on women. From the "comfort" women in Japan during World War 11 , to the women  in DRC, Rwanda, Bosnia who are locked in huts, sheds,and kept there for the use of the soldiers, repeatedly raped, beaten and removed from their families.

You may wonder what this has to do with us in sunny South Africa.. we are not invloved in military action right now. We merely live in a violent society in which we struggle to survive in our own homes and beds. I see this as a war. I think the way to manage this war is through militant attitude and militant behaviour towards the men who behave like "soldiers" and use their penises as weapons of mass destruction, their hands as tools to hurt and invade women and their private spaces.

I am not advocating violence - I am advocating that women, men and communities take a confrontational approach- do not let your son address his mom disrespectfully, tease his sister without parental intervention. Confront your neighbour when you hear him beating up on his woman - man- to man. Stop blaming "the Government" - it is in your attitude towards women, your sexuality with women, your respect of her as person. Its about creating relationships of equality rather than battle grounds within your own homes.

I urge you to be mindful of your own relationship during these 16 days- then continue for another 365 days and beyond. I urge you to support educational campaigns that are happenign all voer the country.

Join me at my Red Ribbon Party 3 December in Johannesburg - see invitation above. We have a family lawyer who has donated his time to talk to us women about our rights and then of course, we play - with toys- to lighten our load and remind ourselves why we still love, treasure ourselves. Book now - only a few places left .

 

 

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