The Drumming Campaign – STOP Violence Against Women and Children will be launched on SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER where hundreds of drummers will be drumming on RISSIK STREET BRIDGE from 10am, followed by an OFFICIAL OPENING in PARK STATION at 11am. Artists include TIMOTHY MOLOI, SINDI SAMPSON AND THE ONION EATERS, LIBBIE DU TOIT and NII MOLAI ADDOTEY and THE DJEMBE DRUMMERS. We invite anyone to come and drum to show support for the campaign against gender based violence!
The roll-out of the drumming campaign will take place in 16 GAUTENG RAILWAY STATIONS over 16 days, from 25 NOVEMBER to 10 DECEMBER, from Pretoria to Germiston, Naledi to Mabopane. By the end of 16 days, 365 drummers will have added their voice to the campaign!
Why Railway Stations? They are public spaces and should be places where people can receive and engage with messages and debates on violence against women and children - in a language that is inspiring and motivating – who can resist the sound of a drum? As the campaign develops other public spaces, bus ranks and taxi ranks will become part of the campaign activities.
Why drumming? Imagine the power of hundreds of drums in a railway station – an instrument that exists in different shapes and forms in almost every culture in the world! Drums have been instruments of communication through the ages. We need to drum and be heard! We can no longer take the violence against women and children as a norm – we need to get the message out loud and clear!
The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of gender based violence. It will make available information about what to do in cases of gender based violence and services available in Gauteng. Training is aimed at front line railway staff, with support from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and Metro Rail.
The vision is: Seconds count down by text messages to partners across Africa and the world … 4-3-2-1 – GO! … In that split second hundreds of drummers in railway stations around the world start drumming! They are: Drumming to STOP violence against women and children!
Campaign partners are: Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development based in Lenasia has been operating for 20 years, offering sheltering services, training and advocacy campaigns. Nisaa is a leading member of the National Sheltering Movement.
mehlo-maya (eye-to-the-sun) has been using art for social activism, over the past 17 years. It uses film, theatre, radio and print – raising and engaging in debate on human rights and gender rights. mehlo-maya has worked on 16 Days of Activism campaigns since 2005.
The launch of the campaign is supported by the MTN Foundation.
Partners in the launch over 16 Days are: Amnesty International, MSF, One in Nine Campaign, SHARISA Network, etc.
For more information contact BOBBY RODWELL and SAMU MFUPHI on 011 614 2132
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