SANAC’s Men’s Sector, in partnership with Brothers for Life, a social and health mobilisation campaign for men, is inviting South African men to be part of a rally on the 24th of August at the Johannesburg Stadium, in Gauteng.
Dubbed Not in my name!! the rally was called in response to the alarming levels of violence in the country. “On a daily basis we hear, see and read of the rape and killing of women and children or the horrific targeting of lesbians and the killing of men. Gender-based violence has reached unbearable proportions, and it is us men who have to put a stop to it,” says Rev. Bafana Khumalo, chairperson of SANAC’s Men’s Sector.
The rally aims to bring together South African men from all walks of life, from ordinary folk to business, labour and political leaders, and sports and entertainment personalities, to unite and speak in one voice calling for an end to violence against women and children.
We urge you to stand up and say “Enough! This cannot continue. Not in my name!” says Rev. Khumalo. “The rally will also call on men to accept responsibility and take the opportunity to stem the spread of disease, including HIV and TB in their communities by adopting and promoting good health habits. Statistics show that only 30% of men have tested for HIV and, therefore, fewer men are on anti-retroviral treatment and even fewer men are aware of how to take care of their sexual health. This rally will give us as men the opportunity to learn more about our health.”
The rally is aiming for an attendance of 50 000 men from all over the country.
“We invite you to bring your brothers, your fathers, your friends and all men you know to this historic rally where men will show solidarity with women and children, where men will pledge their active support to community programmes that aim to put a stop to gender violence, where men will show their commitment to improving their health outcomes and that of their partners by taking up HIV testing and screening for TB and other ailments,” says Rev. Khumalo.
Join us as we call for safer and healthier communities, as we say: ”No woman shall be raped in name! No woman shall be infected in my name! No child shall be killed in my name. No homophobia in my name!”
