Women equipped with self-defence skills
Women’s Institute for Leadership Development facilitated a Self-Defence Master Class which was held on the 4th of December at Island Hospice and Health Care. The session was attended by 30 women from around Bulawayo. Among these women were Honourable Sichelesile Mahlangu, Member of Parliament for Pumula Constituency and ward 17 councillor Sikhululekile Moyo.
As part of the annual commemoration of 16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, the session was intended to build self-defence skills and self-esteem as well as to encourage physical fitness. This was done in order to equip women with skills which they can employ in protecting themselves against physical violence and abuse.
The first part of the session was Zumba dances in preparation for the self-defence class as a way of providing warm up for the participants. The second part of the activity saw Sensei Vusa leading self-defence lessons as he showed women a number of ways on how to get out of rape and physical harm situations.
Lucia the poet was among the participants and she recited a Ndebele poem titled “Madoda khulumanini las’hlukumeza kangaka kwenzenjani” which was a call to men to explain why women are being abused. Through the poem, Lucia highlighted the rampant abuse that women face in different spheres and how this affects their participation in public processes.
“Women are now living in fear because of the violence that happens every day. Women are killed, raped and beaten. Men should explain why they are exposing their fellow sisters and mothers to such uncalled-for pain. Women have lost their voices because of this violence. This violence needs to stop now!!” recited Lucia.
Honourable Sichelesile Mahlangu urged women to speak out against GBV so that they can get the help they need and also spread the word to their peers. Mahlangu highlighted that as the country is preparing for elections there is need to address GBV especially that which is targeted towards women in politics so that they can have better chances as candidates.
Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo highlighted that many young women are being subjected to GBV and drugs, and emphasized on the need to end GBV as it is detrimental to their well-being. She also called for the protection of school going girls as child marriages are rampant and constantly violate their right to education as they end up dropping out of school.