Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa

26 November 2024

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an international civil society-led campaign that takes place each year, starting on 25 November 2024, the International Day for the Eradication of Gender-based Violence, which ends on 10 December 2024.

Bethal SAPS Men for Change and Women’s together with Gert Sibande District Men for Change, Women’s Network, Department of Health, PSASA, Department of Social Development, Bethal Community Policing Forum, Youth Desk, Bethal SuperSpar, and Mrova Bikes Crew hosted an inclusive bicycling event on Monday, 25 November 2024, to rally support for the campaign and to create awareness on gender-based violence and femicide issues, sensitizing and educating the community about the dangers of gender-based violence and femicides, sexual offences, and human trafficking.

During the kick-starting of the 16 days of activism, young boys with a passion for street cycling created a publicity stunt that formed part of the campaign. 

The bicyclists displayed the following messages to create awareness of gender-based violence.
– There is no excuse for femicide.
– Take action to end gender-based violence. 
– A boy child needs protection.
– Let’s end gender-based violence now.
– Cycling against Gender-Based Violence 
– Cycling against the abuse of women and children 
– Act against the abuse of women and girls… Now! 
– Mrova Bikes ðrCrew. Cycling for Gender-Based Violence
– Reject and report abusers. Act and don’t look away. 
– Do not protect abusers; report them! 
– Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser. Stop Abuse!
– There is no excuse for violence against women and girls. 

Sergeant Thomas Mogadime, the Mpumalanga Provincial Men For Change Deputy Chairperson and a social crime prevention and communications officer, stated in his presentation that women are not the only victims when it comes to gender-based violence; good men are victims as well because vicious men have the audacity to attack both good men and women with the same brutality.

Young boys were educated and sensitized about the dangers of committing crimes, especially sexual offences and other crimes, and were encouraged to refrain from involving themselves in sexual activities but to focus on their education and their cycling activity. 

Sergeant Mogadime, thanked everyone for their positive participation during the launching of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and encouraged everyone to be agents of change within their communities.