Posted in Features, News, Youth Academy on Dec 10, 2018.
Kaizer Chiefs Youth Development Academy players were in unison in their understanding of the plight of women and children in South Africa, acknowledging that men have a fundamental role to play in changing the narrative of violence against women and children.
As the world observes 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the youngsters who ply their trade in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC), showed maturity beyond their years when they described what they thought it might be like to walk in a woman’s shoes.
“They’re not safe,” observes Given Thibedi, adding, “women have increasingly found themselves susceptible to violent crime at the hands of men which often includes their intimate partners.”
A recent United Nations report found that one in five women have reported physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their intimate partners within the last 12 months preceding September of this year.
This year’s 16 Days theme being #HearMeToo, Thibedi believes that the South African national women’s team should be adequately recognised and that they deserve more appreciation for their exploits – equal to that of their male counterparts. Banyana Banyana finished second at the recent Africa Women Cup of Nations, earning themselves a place at next year’s World Cup in France.
“Without women, we are nothing,” says Sizwe Twala who is inspired by his mother and uGogo. “They taught me to never give up and to always be honest with everyone,” adds Twala who recently scored four goals in a demolition job of Maritzburg United Reserves in the MDC.
“Our role in society is to be a good example in our attitude and actions towards women and children,” comments Itumeleng Shopane. The youngster added that men should channel their strength into being protectors of family units and not destroyers. Shopane was part of a Kaizer Chiefs contingent that attended the Vodacom Walk for Good to raise awareness against gender-based violence.
“As a Kaizer Chiefs player, I stand against gender-based violence in our country,” states goalkeeper Brylon Petersen, who concludes with, “I urge all men to stand up against violence against women and have zero tolerance for gender-based violence.”
As the world observes 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the youngsters who ply their trade in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC), showed maturity beyond their years when they described what they thought it might be like to walk in a woman’s shoes.
“They’re not safe,” observes Given Thibedi, adding, “women have increasingly found themselves susceptible to violent crime at the hands of men which often includes their intimate partners.”
A recent United Nations report found that one in five women have reported physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their intimate partners within the last 12 months preceding September of this year.
This year’s 16 Days theme being #HearMeToo, Thibedi believes that the South African national women’s team should be adequately recognised and that they deserve more appreciation for their exploits – equal to that of their male counterparts. Banyana Banyana finished second at the recent Africa Women Cup of Nations, earning themselves a place at next year’s World Cup in France.
“Without women, we are nothing,” says Sizwe Twala who is inspired by his mother and uGogo. “They taught me to never give up and to always be honest with everyone,” adds Twala who recently scored four goals in a demolition job of Maritzburg United Reserves in the MDC.
“Our role in society is to be a good example in our attitude and actions towards women and children,” comments Itumeleng Shopane. The youngster added that men should channel their strength into being protectors of family units and not destroyers. Shopane was part of a Kaizer Chiefs contingent that attended the Vodacom Walk for Good to raise awareness against gender-based violence.
“As a Kaizer Chiefs player, I stand against gender-based violence in our country,” states goalkeeper Brylon Petersen, who concludes with, “I urge all men to stand up against violence against women and have zero tolerance for gender-based violence.”
