More than 300 people came together to celebrate V-day on Saturday 5 March in Steenberg.
V-day is a global awareness campaign to protect women, children and men, including the LGBTBQ community, from violence. It’s also a day where all bodies are celebrated.
Lucinda Evans, founder member of Philisa Abafazi Bethu, says the annual event is usually celebrated in February.
“V-Day is an annual event and as coordinator of One Billion Rising South African leaders, usually we celebrate it on 14 February. But this year we celebrated it in March for various reasons, including that International Women’s Day falls in March.”
The event partners included Uthando (Love) South Africa, Coca Cola, One Billion Rising South Africa Leaders, the Triangle Project, The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation and Ilitha Labantu.
“We also opened our services up to the LGBTBQ community. We have a facility available, the only one in the province, to assist those in the LGBTBQ community,” says Evans.
“V-Day is to celebrate bodies but also to speak up against atrocities such as Albert Fritz.”
Former Western Cape Community Safety Minister Albert Fritz was dismissed earlier this month after allegations of sexual misconduct emerged against him.
Evans says youth from rural areas and those who needed a safe space were invited to the event.
“We had 300 people who attended and we invited youth from rural areas who maybe need a support group or need a safe space.”
Activist Zain Nazier, who attended the event, says LGBTBQ individuals are still being marginalised.
“The silent pandemic is still continuing each and every day. LGBTBQ individuals are still being murdered killed and marginalised.
“Let’s all play our part in making this world a better place for all.”
