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