Rea Vaya steps out against abuse

Details

30 October 2012

On the 25th day of each month, people are encouraged to wear orange and sign a pledged against the abuse of women and children. Rea Vaya has joined the international campaign.

A Rea Vaya marketing staff member briefs a commuter about Orange Day

REA Vaya commuters and staff pledge to combat the abuse of women and children, on Friday, 25 October, an Orange Day initiative.

Orange Day is observed on the 25th of every month to raise awareness of abuse of women and girl children. The campaign was declared by United Nations Women an entity whose mandate is to champion gender equality and empowerment of women. The significance of the campaign will be intensified in the run-up to 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

That campaign is held annually from 25 November until 10 December. In South Africa, it has expanded to encompass abuse of children; internationally, it is 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. UN Women is an entity of the United Nations whose mandate is to champion gender equality and the empowerment of women.

In supporting Orange Day, Rea Vaya sent a message to its staff and commuters to dress in orange on Friday. However, today's morning chill forced most commuters and staff to reach out for their winter jackets, and only a handful showed up kitted out only in orange.

The previous morning, on Thursday, Rea Vaya marketing staff visited stations, where they circulated pledge forms for staff and commuters to sign. Most expressed great interest in the initiative and vowed to dress in orange on 25 November.

Okemetse Kodisang, a cashier at Noordgesing Station, was enthusiastic about the campaign: "I feel that we should do more as the community to protect the rights of women and children. I believe more education will put an end to the abuse of women and children."

She also some advice for the Rea Vaya marketing team: "I think that posters bearing messages about women's and children's rights should be posted at the Rea Vaya stations. There are a lot of women who are abused in silence; some do not even know their rights. I think we should wear orange to unite against the abuse of women and children."

Tshepiso Tshabalala echoed Kodisang's sentiments: "Women and children are exposed to abuse; it is time for the community to realise the important role played by women. I did not know about Orange Day but I will support it in future."

Tumi Mtshali, who was speaking in a Rea Vaya bus on his way to an interview in the Joburg CBD, added his voice. "A lot of women leave the abuse till late before taking the necessary steps. I think a lot of education still needs to be done to rectify this. Rea Vaya can do more; it has the opportunity to reach a lot of people who travel on its buses every day."

He said initiatives like signing the pledge would raise awareness in the community to care for women and girl children.

Tumelo Molebatsi, who was waiting for the next bus to Orlando at Chancellor House Westbound Station, gave a mouthful to men who abused women and children: "I urge men to take their place in the community to protect their women and children and not be their enemies. Men who abuse women and children should hang their heads in shame."

Molebatsi did not know about Orange Day, but after hearing an explanation from Rea Vaya marketing staff, he commended the campaign and said it was important to hold dialogues about women's and children's rights. "Next week I will make sure to wear something orange."

UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, was established in 2010. According to its website, it is a dynamic and strong champion for women and girls, providing them with a powerful voice at the global, regional and local levels. Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, UN Women, among other issues, works for the:

• Elimination of discrimination against women and girls;
• Empowerment of women; and
• Achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Related stories:

• Poet visits Thokoza Park
• School girls go on a bus ride