Women Gather Across South Africa For #TotalShutdown Protest
Here's some of the action taking place at the nationwide protest against femicide and gender violence.
South African women took to the streets today for the #TotalShutdown "intersectional women's march" against gender-based violence.
The highly-publicized protest, organized by WomenProtestSA, took place in eight provinces across South Africa and in Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho as well. Women are unifying under a single mission to stop sexual violence, and femicide in South Africa, where rates are nearly five times higher than the global rate, reports CNN Africa.
Men were asked to lend their support to the cause by not taking part in economic activity throughout the day.
The protest has drawn international support, and the turnout appears to have been massive. Check out some of the action from protests around South Africa below, via social media.
#TotalShutdown this protest is very emotional yet powerful. Sending my gratitude to all Women who participated in t… https://t.co/LxqIvhT7Ug— Lungile Queen Ntshangase (@Lungile Queen Ntshangase)1533133341.0
#TotalShutDown #DBN Acclaimed poet, storyteller and actress Gcina Mhlophe is also here for the KZN leg of the shutd… https://t.co/rFx9lf19bT— EWN Reporter (@EWN Reporter)1533108767.0
#TotalShutDown March against gender based violence https://t.co/6Dkh4OkKvX— heyHay_Halo (@heyHay_Halo)1533120056.0
#TotalShutdown #thetotalshutdown #EastLondon women so happy!!! Stand up for your justice! https://t.co/YmkNVtjIeU— #TotalShutdown #WomensMonth (@#TotalShutdown #WomensMonth)1533113104.0
Prof Pumla Gqola of Fort Hare University & author of Rape, A South African nightmare addressing #TotalShutdown prot… https://t.co/xr81vyxprp— Johnnie Jj Isaac (@Johnnie Jj Isaac)1533134316.0
Incredibly privileged to have participated in today’s march #TotalShutDown Port Elizabeth. I hope our 24 demand mem… https://t.co/G6o1c6w7Fy— Kyate (@Kyate)1533133257.0
“Rapists rape people not clothes.” - #TotalShutDown https://t.co/Mw2jtEr5p7— raeesa pather (@raeesa pather)1533115186.0
#TotalShutDown at Makhanda (Grahamstown) https://t.co/6WIfqLlAqR— #Totalshutdown (@#Totalshutdown)1533131340.0
in an ideal world we don't have to carry these words to a march. #totalshutdown ✊🏿 https://t.co/V2H5ILYkU7— Koleka Putuma (@Koleka Putuma)1533129894.0
Pretoria, we're coming. Enough is enough! My body is not your crime scene! #IWillMarch #TotalShutdown ✊🏿 https://t.co/llrydVIeT1— Zanele Madiba (@Zanele Madiba)1533109869.0
#TotalShutDown We have a right to be safe in our country. #NomeansNo! https://t.co/nZlEHZgtCN— Avela Gronemeyer (@Avela Gronemeyer)1533129886.0
Protesters become tearful as the #TotalShutDown march arrives at Parliament. https://t.co/ohc5GSSRqr— raeesa pather (@raeesa pather)1533119301.0
#TotalShutDown "Why does alcohol excuse HIS ACTIONS but CONDEMNS MINE?" We must stop accepting alcohol as an excuse… https://t.co/3uwtURRsaa— IOL News (@IOL News)1533115985.0
Observing a moment of silence #TheTotalShutdown #TotalShutdown https://t.co/qULZGZ4Fzg— Babes WePetition (@Babes WePetition)1533121752.0
My body, my choice! #TheTotalShutDown #TotalShutdown #IWillMarch Our bodies are not your crime scenes! https://t.co/CBzwY0VnO8— #TheTotalShutdown (@#TheTotalShutdown)1533109406.0
MY BODY-NOT YOUR CRIME SCENE! #TotalShutDown 📷: @carissacupido https://t.co/vYpKI8YUQz— #YFM (@#YFM)1533117124.0
#TotalShutdown in Cape Town https://t.co/bNpmEZpCPx— Sibongile Mafu (@Sibongile Mafu)1533112840.0
Organiser Misa Makwakwa Masokameng explains why it is important for women to participate in the march. "It's impor… https://t.co/cWrdfSTYsA— Team News24 (@Team News24)1533110553.0
This is an important message from @AmandaRinquest #TotalShutDown https://t.co/lFpm75mzS8— Martin M (@Martin M)1533117588.0
#TotalShutDown: 'Women are tired of being beaten up and abused by men' https://t.co/wIUzSPS0KL https://t.co/WkvMQRbtPr— Eyewitness News (@Eyewitness News)1533105846.0
Today I went to a march. I am not the march sort because...crowds and walking...and crowds. But today women gathere… https://t.co/wqo0yZ1yrJ— Tiffany Kagure Mugo (@Tiffany Kagure Mugo)1533133188.0
#TotalShutDown STOP saying "boys will be boys" this phrase should be banned from our vocabulary. Boys WILL be held… https://t.co/OoIRMuPJM8— IOL News (@IOL News)1533118552.0
Womxn sitting in solidarity for the women lost to femicide and to all the survivors of sexual violence among us tod… https://t.co/u5Az7hLAEC— insertcleverhandle (@insertcleverhandle)1533121074.0
Thousands have gathered to march to Parliament to hand over a memorandum of demands. The full list of demands can b… https://t.co/0V4TbcwnYS— raeesa pather (@raeesa pather)1533117430.0
Rhodes University & the Makhanda community in support of #TotalShutDown https://t.co/OeOJhCCYu7— 07 AUGUST (@07 AUGUST)1533129474.0
Finish n klaar!!! My female leader!!! ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 #TotalShutDown https://t.co/5zix1RaHei— Seladi Moetjie (@Seladi Moetjie)1533125980.0
I got all my sisters with me! #totalshutdown ✊🏾❤️🖤 https://t.co/CWrIWJC58d— MADIKIZELA✊🏾🖤 (@MADIKIZELA✊🏾🖤)1533134966.0