As the Speaker of Council in the City of Johannesburg, I am recommitting myself to continue advocating for the end to gender-based violence and will work with the Section 79 Committee for Gender Youth and Persons Living with Disability (GEYODI) as soon as it has been re-established.

This is to ensure that they prioritise oversight on gender-based violence related matters from within the City, to communicate and run programmes that reach residents in the communities.

The City joins this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from 25 November to 10 December 2021, under the theme “16 days of Activism- moving from awareness to accountability”

In joining the global actions to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations, I call on all the men of Johannesburg to strengthen their voice in the fight against gender - based violence and femicide, ensuring that the LGBQIA plus community is not left behind. 

More than just creating awareness, men who are perpetrators must be held accountable, not only by the authorities, but by their families, neighbours, colleagues, friends, places of worship and the community at large. 

Society should no longer turn a blind eye to this scourge. We must also move towards tackling the issue of GBVF 365 days in the year as opposed to only 16 days, as is currently being done. 

I call on all male public representatives, officials, and residents of Johannesburg to take a firm stand against Gender Based Violence and Femicide, because women deserve the freedom and the right to feel as safe as we do in our homes, places of work, our streets, and in our city.