#TotalShutdown: Men should have marched in solidarity

Photo: African News Agency (ANA)

Photo: African News Agency (ANA)

Published Aug 2, 2018

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As a French woman who studies South African history, it was an honour to take part in the Women’s March in the city yesterday.

#TotalShutDown is a critical initiative for women’s rights because we can’t fool ourselves any longer about the everyday struggles women face to survive, having to surmount problems particular to their gender. As statistics show, the violence against women seems to be more serious in SA than anywhere else.

This is exacerbated by the fact that the majority of women in the country were discriminated against on the basis of colour by patriarchal political systems. Being passionate about South African history, it is one of the reasons why the march was of such symbolic importance to me.

While I was marching with South African women from all walks of life, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Women’s March on August 9, 1956 against the apartheid system. Yesterday, South African women joined their ancestors in marching for everyone’s human rights to be respected.

The power of women uniting for a just cause, which still rages in 2018, years after the country was freed from the shackles of oppression, could be felt in the streets.

It was powerful and had a beauty about it: the songs, the dress, the slogans shouted...

What made the impact of the march even more symbolic and powerful was that it was peaceful, like in 1956.

Through song, love and compassion the women provided an antidote for the violence, cruelty and discrimination they are subjected to daily. Even if the violence statistics against women are lower in France, discrimination based on gender is still pervasive, and I completely identified with their message.

But I think that it would have had greater symbolism if men had joined in. The myth of women’s alleged inferiority was created by men. Their silence ensures women remain oppressed and essentially second-class citizens. 

We need to understand that the fight for women’s rights aims also to question the representation of femininity and masculinity in our society, which affects everyone.

If we want the next generation to inherit an equal society, it is necessary that women and men tackle this issue together.

Naomi Rio is an intern from France working in the Cape Times newsroom

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