Please visit us on the We Will Speak Out SA Page for up to date information!
Tearfund is grateful to UNFPA South Africa for making the collection of stories possible.
The videos were filmed by Christina Shange.
Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba launching ‘We Will Speak Out: South Africa’ in November 2013.
South Africa
Population: 51,770,560 (2011 census)
Location: Southern Africa
SV Statistics
Sources: United Nations, Medical Research Council in South Africa, LEAD SA/South African Police Service, Tearfund research findings
I will speak out because…
Join survivors of sexual violence, church leaders, organisations and members of the general public in speaking out against sexual violence by SIGNING OUR PLEDGE HERE
Breaking the Silence Report
Breaking the silence demonstrates the urgent need for the local and national church in South Africa to unite, work with key stakeholders and take action to end sexual violence (SV). The report highlights three key points:
1. Sexual violence is widespread across South Africa and has a deeply traumatising and damaging effect on survivors.
2. The church has often failed survivors of sexual violence. Many churches deepen the impact of sexual violence through their silence, stigma and discrimination. Some churches have not done enough to care for the marginalised or to speak out on their behalf.
3. The church is central to community life and has untapped potential to prevent and respond to sexual violence. It can provide care and support, stand alongside survivors seeking justice, and identify and challenge harmful attitudes and beliefs within society that perpetuate sexual violence.
Photos from the 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls campaign 2014
For more photos, please click here.
Read report from the 16 days of activism campaign from WWSO South Africa
Men’s March against violence against women and children
On 31st August the Oasis Church in Umlazi Township one of the biggest township in KwaZulu-Natal took a firm stand against the abuse of women and children. This was a special gesture marking the close of Woman’s month. The men of the Oasis Church in Umlazi took upon themselves to lead a campaign through a march demonstration from the church to the local taxi-rank and in the community holding placards with messages against advocating against the abuse of women and children.
For more details about the march, view here.
We Will Speak Out: South Africa Launch
On the 25th November 2013, Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and UNAIDS South Africa launched ‘We Will Speak Out: South Africa’ at Pretoria Cathedral.
Read the coalition statement here.
Speakers included the Anglican Church, HOPE Africa, National Prosecuting Authority, Tearfund, SAFFI, Sonke Gender Justice, UNAIDS and UNWomen (pictured above) spoke during the event.
The Most Revd Thabo Makgoba lead the attendees in prayers for those affected by sexual violence and the local church to respond and prevent sexual violence.
We Will Speak Out: South Africa Activities
Since the launch several new organisations have joined the coalition, therefore on 10th September 2014, coalition members will meet to develop activity plans for the future.
On 26th November 2013, faith leaders met to develop an action plan for the faith response based on findings and recommendations mentioned in the ‘Breaking the silence’ report. The plan will seek to galvanise broader action at a national level to end sexual violence.
“Everything was based on religion; he would refuse to do certain things if he felt something was not righteous in the eyes of God.” (A friend of murder accused Sandile […]
On the 22nd November, a group of remarkable women came together to share with local government officials, UN agencies, NGOs and church leaders. Their desire to be a voice for the […]
During a meeting with church leaders in KwaZulu Natal, a group of survivors shared their stories thru a poem… Why Were We Silent… “When we speak we are afraid our words […]
31st January 2018 We should not be surprised by the alleged sexual violence in the Pretoria City Mission of the Methodist Church. Incidences of men treating women as sex objects […]
28th November, 10am-4 pm, at Glen Ridge Church For the first time, and as part of the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s programme for 16 days of activism, religious fraternities and key stakeholders […]
Almost 50 men signed the WWSOSA Pledge to speak up against sexual and gender based violence. We have received positive reviews from the men who attended. My team members have […]
Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence are central to We Will Speak Out SA. A programme funded by Amplify Change is documenting stories of Most Significant Change (MSC) of the […]
We Will Speak Out South Africa, together with women from many different NGOs, faith organizations and activist groups came together yesterday to discuss actions they will take to address the […]
One of the key pillars of the shared We Will Speak Out strategy is to mobilise church leaders to speak out, and to consider ways to make their churches safe […]
Elangeni Hotel, 25th May 2017. Written by Daniela Gennrich, WWSOSA Interim Coordinator The purpose of the meeting was to bring together multiple government and civil society stakeholders, to talk about […]
Current members of the coalition include individuals, churches, denominations and organisations