Annie Lennox in her own words

SINGER and activist Annie Lennox made a personal plea against gender violence in South Africa this week. This is what her petition says:

“For the sake of Valencia Farmer… Anene Booysens… and every victim and survivor of sexual

violence.

South Africa has an outstanding legacy of activism that is renowned all over the globe.

Everyone refers to the end of Apartheid in 1994 as an achievement as significant as the 1865

agreement to abolish slavery in America.

These events weren’t simply miracles that occurred by themselves.

It took collective effort, courage and vision to achieve those goals.

Nineteen years since the end of Apartheid in South Africa, and there are still many obstacles and

challenges to be overcome.

Many people feel fatigued and disillusioned.

They don’t believe anything will change for the better.

They have lost faith in politics and the criminal justice system, and are despairing of false rhetoric

that offers empty promises without delivery.

But the problems will never go away by themselves.

It will take the same strength of focus and purpose to create lasting and impactful

transformation.

BUT…. It is achievable.

We believe that gender violence CAN and MUST be tackled.

We need to create a tipping point of collective awareness and action to make it happen.

That is why we are appealing to EVERYONE working in the media and civil society to make a

commitment to take personal and professional responsibility to become a part of the change.

Together we can all bridge the gap between the victims, survivors and solutions.

We implore you to promote the efforts of organizations working to ensure the issue of gender-

based violence is never marginalized again.

It is vital that you play your part in making the change.

A Call to Action!

from

Annie Lennox, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and HIV/AIDS Activist

Those who signed the petition:

The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (Nelson Mandela Foundation)

Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation

Women on Farms Project

The South African Red Cross Society

National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders

Mothers2mothers

Medecins Sans Frontieres

Amnesty International – South Africa

Treatment Action Campaign

Charlize Theron Outreach Africa Project

Rape Crisis: Cape Town Trust

EQUALS CARE South Africa – Lesotho

Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development

CADRE: Centre for AIDS Development Research and Evaluation

Paraffin Safety Association

Office on the Status of Women

Women and Men Against Child Abuse

Safe Kids South Africa

South African Association of Youth Clubs

National Movement of Rural Women

Rural Women’s Movement

Glorious Light Community Church

Muslim Women’s Institute

SWEAT Project

SWEAT: Outreach and Development Programme

Women’s Net

Women’s Legal Centre

Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme

Child Welfare South Africa

PE Child-line and Family Centre

Union of Jewish Women

POWA: People Opposing Women Abuse

Befriends: Bloemfontein

Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa

Child Justice Alliance

Children on the Move

Durban Gay and Lesbian Centre

Out LGBT Wellbeing

Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre

Western Cape Network on Violence Against Women

Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme

GALA: Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action

Human Rights Institute of South Africa

Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre

Muslim Women’s Network

National Council of Women South Africa

PWMSA: The Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa

Saartjie Baartman for Women and Children

Etafeni Day Care Centre Trust

Valoyi Traditional Authority Trust

Shonaquip Mobilty and Seating Solutions

Grahamstown Foundation: Amaphiko Township Dance Project

Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU): Family and Community Motivators

SAEP’s: Early Childhood Development Programme

Westlake Village Community Development

Siyabonga: Family Community Motivators

TB/HIV Care Association: Project Integrate - Sisonke

UKZN Education: Matric School

Uitenhage Provincial Hospital: Eye Clinic

PMTCT: UGU District Health Programme Performance

Positive Beadwork/Kidzpositive Family Fund

Phaphamani Home-based Care

Sunshine Centre Association

Hoedspruit Training Trust (Hlokomela)

Umdoni & Vulamehlo HIV/AIDS Association: Nakimpilo Care for Life

Wide Horizon Hospice and Karuna Clinic

ChoiCe Trust

Ndlovu Care Group

Absolute Return for Kids (ARK): Community Access and Adherence Programme

Yabonga

Khulisa Social Solutions

Dance for All

UBOM! Eastern Cape Drama

Perinatal Mental Health Project

Impumelelo Social Innovations Centre

SACTWU Worker Health Programme

The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa

* For more details see Lennox’s blog: www.annielennox.com