The Girl Guides of St. Patricks’ in the Free State’s Orania region held a gender based and femicide (GBVF) campaign at the Limo Mall in Heidedal, Bloemfontein over the weekend.
The Guides’ procession to the mall started in Phahameng township accompanied by the Scouts of Kgatoa, a musical band which entertained crowds along the route. The march “united our youth in a powerful stand against GBVF,” Keamohetswe Mhlongo, the youth leader of the Girl Guides, said. She added, “The main aim of the march was to unite our youth in a critical stand against an issue plaguing our society.”
Mhlongo was excited that the campaign achieved its primary aims of raising public awareness against the plague, promoting dialogue and encouraging collective action in addressing GBVF in societies.
Childline, an organisation that looks after the interests of children, ran a series of educational plays for the public, teaching them to recognize the signs of abuse and sharing critical helpline numbers available for anyone in an abusive situation to use. The Guides and Scouts then led the community in a series of uplifting activities.
Letshego Toolo, regional commissioner of the Guides, expressed her joy “that boys and men signed a pledge in which they promised to be responsible citizens and fight the scourge of GBVF,” she said.
Letshego Toolo, regional commissioner of the Guides, expressed her joy after boys and men signed a pledge in which they promised to be responsible citizens and fight the scourge of GBVF
