Trauma Centre joins Women for Change and civil society organisations in calling for National Shutdown

The Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture is joining Women for Change and civil society organisations in calling for a National Shutdown on 21 November to protest the gender-based violence and femicide crisis in South Africa.

The protest calls for all women and members of the LGBTQI+ community across Africa to refrain from all paid and unpaid work on this day.

It is also asking them not to spend any money for one day.

"We want to demonstrate the economic and social impact of our actions, "says Marguerite Holthauzen, Director and Senior Social Worker at The Trauma Centre.

"Women are a big economic force, but we are not being looked after and safeguarded."

South Africa remains one of the most dangerous countries for women and children, with a woman murdered every 2.5 hours.

According to Holthauzen, this year alone, 40,035 women were raped, placing the country 4th globally in absolute numbers. But these numbers don't paint the full picture, she warns.

"That is the tip of the iceberg. Typically, one out of 13 women reports when they've been raped."

Moreover, says Holthauzen, women are being discouraged from reporting.

"Often we get people coming to us to say they did report domestic violence, and then they were sent home."

The shutdown is expected to take place on the eve of the G20 Leaders' Summit on Friday.

A spokesperson of Women for Change told RISE Mzansi this past weekend that the G20 summit is the best shot at getting global attention for the cause.

To listen to Holthauzen in conversation with CapeTalk's Clarence Ford on Views and News, click below: