Annie Lennox demands an end to violence against women and girls in South Africa

Annie Lennox has issued a call to action today, in response to the epidemic of violence that has been taking place against women and girls in South Africa for years.
The petition implores  South African media, key government officials, and religious leaders to make a commitment of personal and professional responsibility, in order to ensure that the issue of gender-based violence is never marginalised again.
Signatories include The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (Nelson Mandela Foundation), Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Medecins Sans Frontiers, Treatment Action Campaign, Amnesty International South Africa and CTAOP (Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project)

Annie Lennox OBE is the founder of The SING Campaign, a voice for hIV/AIDS women and children, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, Ambassador for Oxfam, Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Campaign, Amnesty International, The British Red Cross, Special Envoy for HIV and AIDS in Scotland and also London Ambassador for HIV and AIDS.

Click here to read the petition

For the sake of Valencia Farmer… Anene Booysen… and every victim and survivor of sexual violence.
South Africa has an outstanding legacy of activism that is renowned all over the globe.
Everyone refers to the end of Apartheid in 1994 as an achievement as significant as the 1865 agreement to abolish slavery in America.
These events weren’t simply miracles that occurred by themselves.
It took collective effort, courage and vision to achieve those goals.
Nineteen years since the end of Apartheid in South Africa, and there are still many obstacles and challenges to be overcome.
Many people feel fatigued and disillusioned.
They don’t believe anything will change for the better.
They have lost faith in politics and the criminal justice system, and are despairing of false rhetoric that offers empty promises without delivery.
But the problems will never go away by themselves.
It will take the same strength of focus and purpose to create lasting and impactful transformation.
BUT…. It is achievable.
We believe that gender violence CAN and MUST be tackled.
We need to create a tipping point of collective awareness and action to make it happen.
That is why we are appealing to EVERYONE working in the media and civil society to make a commitment to take personal and professional responsibility to become a part of the change.
Together we can all bridge the gap between the victims, survivors and solutions.
We implore you to promote the efforts of organizations working to ensure the issue of gender-based violence is never marginalized again.
It is vital that you play your part in making the change.

PETITION NAMES

1.    The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (Nelson Mandela Foundation)
2.    Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation
3.    Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation
4.    Barbara Stocking Chief Executive Oxfam GB
5.    Women on Farms Project
6.    The South African Red Cross Society
7.    National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders
8.    Mothers2mothers
9.    Medecins Sans Frontieres
10.    Amnesty International – South Africa
11.    Treatment Action Campaign
12.     Charlize Theron Outreach Africa Project
13.    Rape Crisis: Cape Town Trust
14.    EQUALS
15.     CARE South Africa – Lesotho
16.    Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development
17.     CADRE: Centre for AIDS Development Research and Evaluation
18.     Paraffin Safety Association
19.     Office on the Status of Women
20.      Women and Men Against Child Abuse
21.     Safe Kids South Africa
22.     South African Association of Youth Clubs
23.     National Movement of Rural Women
24.     Rural Women’s Movement
25.     Glorious Light Community Church
26.     Muslim Women’s Institute
27.     SWEAT Project
28.     SWEAT: Outreach and Development Programme
29.     Women’s Net
30.     Women’s Legal Centre
31.     Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme
32.     Child Welfare South Africa
33.     PE Child-line and Family Centre
34.     Union of Jewish Women
35.     POWA: People Opposing Women Abuse
36.     Befriends: Bloemfontein
37.     Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa
38.     Child Justice Alliance
39.     Children on the Move
40.     Durban Gay and Lesbian Centre
41.     Out LGBT Wellbeing
42.     Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre
43.     Western Cape Network on Violence Against Women
44.     Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme
45.     GALA:  Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action
46.     Human Rights Institute of South Africa
47.      Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre
48.     Muslim Women’s Network
49.     National Council of Women South Africa
50.     PWMSA: The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa
51.     Saartjie Baartman for Women and Children
52.     Etafeni Day Care Centre Trust
53.     Valoyi Traditional Authority Trust
54.     Shonaquip Mobilty and Seating Solutions
55.     Grahamstown Foundation: Amaphiko Township Dance Project
56.     Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU): Family and Community Motivators
57.     SAEP’s: Early Childhood Development Programme
58.     Westlake Village Community Development
59.     Siyabonga: Family Community Motivators
60.     TB/HIV Care Association: Project Integrate – Sisonke
61.     UKZN Education: Matric School
62.     Uitenhage Provincial Hospital: Eye Clinic
63.     PMTCT: UGU District Health Programme Performance
64.    Positive Beadwork/Kidzpositive Family Fund
65.     Phaphamani Home-based Care
66.     Sunshine Centre Association
67.     Hoedspruit Training Trust (Hlokomela)
68.     Umdoni & Vulamehlo HIV/AIDS Association: Nakimpilo Care for Life
69.     Wide Horizon Hospice and Karuna Clinic
70.      ChoiCe Trust
71.     Ndlovu Care Group
72.     Absolute Return for Kids (ARK): Community Access and Adherence Programme
73.     Yabonga
74.     Khulisa Social Solutions
75.     Dance for All
76.     UBOM! Eastern Cape Drama
77.     Perinatal Mental Health Project
78.     Impumelelo Social Innovations Centre
79.     SACTWU Worker Health Programme
80.     The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa