Women from Louis Trichardt and surrounding areas recently joined women from across the country to protest against the ruthless killing of their sisters.

The #stopkillingwomen gathering took place at the Louis Trichardt Information centre on Sunday, 4 June. The speakers urged women to use their voices and speak out about all forms of violence against women.

Ms Takalani Tshinesa, one of the stars of the SABC 2 series, Muvhango, said that community members from around Vhembe must fight the scourge of violence against women and children in the area. “If we can join hands and work together in partnerships, we can win the war against the killing of women and children,” she said.

Tshinesa said that while the government was taking the lead in deploying women in senior and other strategic positions, many women were still choosing to be trapped under the ‘sexual harassment for job opportunities’ curse. Tshinesa said that the days when women used to keep quiet while they were being abused were over. She said that many men still beat their spouses, only to apologize the following day. “Let us not keep quiet when you are being abused. You can always contact social workers who are available to assist in this regard,” said Tshinesa.

Ms Mulalo Masikwa, one of the organisers of the event, said that many women were killed by their boyfriends. “Will violence against women ever stop in this country?” she asked. She said that women were violated daily by men who claimed to love them. “I wonder if these men really love women, judging by how they treat them. I ask myself every day why men are unable to let go without resorting to violence.”

Masikwa said that it seemed as if violent and brutal crimes were on the rise and that nothing had been done to curb the killings. “The right to life and freedom of expression are the birthright of all. It must be respected and exercised by everyone in society,” she said. Masikhwa urged community members to report their abusers to the police, so that they can be put behind bars where they belong.