In a powerful display of solidarity, police officers in Johannesburg, South Africa, lit 365 candles on Thursday to demand action against gender-based violence and femicide. The event, which took place at Mary Fitzgerald Square, was attended by members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). The officers lit the candles, which symbolize the 365 days of the year, to emphasize the need for a sustained effort to protect women and children from violence.
Reuben Malema, leader of the JMPD's men's forum, addressed the gathering, stressing that protecting women and children should be a continuous effort, not just a one-day event. "These 365 candles represent the 365 days of the year," he said. "Protecting women and children should not be a one-day event, but a continuous effort." The event was marked by speeches, drumbeats, and the lighting of candles, which the officers held in their hands.
Moss Makwati, a gender rights activist, shared his personal experience of losing his mother and wife to violence. He described the impact of gender-based violence as a personal and painful issue, highlighting the need for collective action to prevent such crimes. Makwati's story was a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of gender-based violence and the importance of working together to prevent it.
Khanyisa Mdaka, another attendee, emphasized that every woman killed as a result of gender-based violence leaves behind a family and loved ones. "Every woman who is killed as a result of gender-based violence is a mother, a child, a daughter, a friend, or a sister to someone," she said. The event aimed to raise awareness about the plight of women and children affected by violence and to push for more effective measures to prevent such crimes.
The candle-lighting ceremony was prompted by a recent surge in femicide cases in the Ekurhuleni area, where the bodies of 11 women were found between July and October. In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a series of measures in September to expedite investigations, reduce backlogs in forensic analysis, and enhance protection for women and children.
The police's initiative was seen as a step towards addressing the growing concern of gender-based violence in South Africa. The country has been grappling with high levels of violence against women and children, with many cases going unreported or unsolved. The candle-lighting ceremony was a symbolic gesture of the police's commitment to fighting this scourge and protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
The event concluded with a renewed call to action, emphasizing the need for a sustained effort to prevent gender-based violence and femicide. The police's initiative was welcomed by activists and community leaders, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and collective action to address this complex and deeply ingrained issue.
Key points
- Police in Johannesburg lit 365 candles to demand action against gender-based violence and femicide.
- The event aimed to raise awareness and push for more effective measures to prevent violence against women and children.
- The initiative was prompted by a recent surge in femicide cases in the Ekurhuleni area.
