NO TO VIOLENCE: Men and women march together in Oxford Street, East London, to protest against gender-based violence. Picture: MARK ANDREWS
YESTERDAY a small crowd of mainly men and boys gathered at the Oxford Trinity Church, before starting a two-hour march to Fort Hare University to commemorate International Men ’s Day.
International Men ’s Day has been celebrated in more than 60 other countries but this was the first time for South Africa. The theme of the march was “Men can be responsible”.
Reverend Canon Lulama Ntshingwa chairperson of the Eastern Cape’s men ’s sector said the march’s aim was to emphasise the importance of responsibility.
“It is time we revived male responsibility, because men who are responsible do not rape,” he said.
According to Ntshingwa, the march was also about awakening and modernising men.
“We want to make the modern man and young man aware of gender equality, and spread the message that they should love and protect their families, and partners,” he told the Dispatch.
Women came out to support their men. Ward 11 women representatives said they wanted to be present to make a statement that women were proud of what their men were doing. — princessn@dispatch.co.za
