Others read: “Respect our existence or expect our resistance.”Activist and survivor of gender-based violence Rosie Motene said the first step out of an abusive relationship is “an honest conversation in a secure space”. However, very few women feel they can talk about their experiences of violence.
“Women and men all need to address this issue openly and to be prepared to listen in ways that can make a positive difference.” “If we can use this climate to really get through the message that silence is an enemy, and provide the means for women to safely speak, we should be able to make some long-overdue, real progress.”
To paraphrase what’s being said: Women are dying and our government says there is no money to combat gender-based violence. We’re here to ask the JSE for that money.