Latest news with #WomenforChange
News24
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Women For Change calls for Moja Love to cancel Isencane Lengane
When Thando and Siyacela first appeared on South African television, they were teenage newlyweds with little understanding of marriage's challenges. The show initially sparked public outcry, with viewers urging the young couple to prioritize their education rather than matrimony. Years later, what began as a controversial television program has evolved into something more disturbing. Their relationship, documented for audiences to see, has deteriorated significantly. What viewers now see is a marriage characterised by toxic interactions and what many describe as abusive behavior. Women for Change, an organisation dedicated to protecting women's rights and combating gender-based violence, has called for the cancellation of Moja Love's reality TV show "Isencane Lengane". Isencane Lengane follows the lives of young couple Thando and Siyacela as they navigate married life. The show has gained popularity for its depiction of traditional child marriage but has increasingly drawn criticism for showcasing what many view as toxic relationship dynamics. Viewers have witnessed numerous troubling incidents of what appears to be emotional and verbal abuse within the young couple's a strongly-worded statement, Women for Change condemned the program. "For far too long, South Africans have witnessed the devastating impact of gender-based violence and domestic abuse in their communities. Yet the reality TV show on DSTV's channel Moja Love 'Isencane Lengane' continues to exploit this reality for entertainment value, turning deeply troubling instances of emotional and verbal abuse into content for profit and clicks. This is not just irresponsible, it is dangerous." The organisation argues that broadcasting such content without appropriate intervention normalises abuse and sends a harmful message that such behavior is acceptable if it attracts viewers. Read more | My Story | 'Leave him and go where?' - Isencane Lengane's Thando on her marriage This isn't the first time the show has faced official scrutiny. In 2023, the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) fined Moja Love R50,000 for airing an episode that depicted domestic violence. While the channel was later cleared of charges of inciting violence and hatred, Women for Change believes the fine itself "speaks volumes about the harm caused" by the program. "In a country where women and children are raped, beaten, and killed every day, this kind of programming is not only tone-deaf, it is a betrayal of every victim and survivor," the statement continued. The organization is demanding that Moja Love "take immediate action to discontinue the TV show 'Isencane Lengane' due to its dangerous portrayal of abuse and toxic relationships." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Women For Change (@womenforchangesa)
The South African
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Expats in London to stage protest against GBV in South Africa
Operation Watershed, a civil society initiative mobilising South Africans abroad, will stage a protest in Trafalgar Square, London, on Saturday, 26 April 2025, in solidarity with the Justice for CweCwe movement and in unequivocal condemnation of the escalating gender-based violence (GBV) crisis in South Africa. The demonstration calls for urgent, decisive action from the South African government and international attention to what has become one of the country's most pervasive human rights violations. The protest was catalysed by the recent, horrific case of Cwecwe , a seven-year-old girl who was reportedly raped – a crime that has shocked the nation, resulting in large protests across major cities, and reigniting urgent demands for GBV to be declared a national emergency. Her name joins a growing list of victims whose pain continues to expose the systemic failures in South Africa's approach to gender-based violence. Despite the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF in 2020, South Africa remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a woman or child. Between July and September 2024, there were 13 283 sexual offences reported, including 10 590 rapes. These numbers do not reflect the full extent of the crisis, with estimates suggesting that up to 95% of sexual assaults are never reported, often due to fear, stigma, and a lack of trust in the justice system. 'The government is failing GBV survivors through underfunded and insufficient access to services, a justice system that rarely delivers, and a police and healthcare response that often fails to support or protect them,' said Elias Mtshweni, one of diaspora mobilisers. Operation Watershed are in full support of the call for Gender Based Violence and Femicide to be declared a national emergency. The situation is dire. In the 2023/2024 period, South Africa recorded the murders of 5 578 women, with a 33.8% increase in femicide, according to advocacy group Women for Change. Between April 2023 and March 2024, an average of 117 rapes were reported each day. For comparison, murder statistics stood at 72 per day – a stark indication of the extreme and disproportionate violence faced by women and girls. Earlier this month, on 11 April 2025, Women for Change led a mass march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, delivering a memorandum and petition signed by over 150 000 people, calling for immediate action and accountability from the South African government. Operation Watershed's demonstration is aligned with these demands and aims to amplify the voices of the countless survivors and advocates across South Africa and the diaspora. Activist and event organiser, Nomonde Joya said, 'There is an urgent need for a comprehensive and systemic action plan to protect the most vulnerable; beginning with children who are often the first to suffer the devastating, life altering consequences of this tragedy, robbed of their innocence far too soon.' The demonstration is being supported by members of the South African diaspora in the United Kingdom and has already garnered backing from political parties within South Africa. Protest organisers are working collaboratively with politicians, civil society organisations, advocacy groups, and charitable foundations – both in South Africa and internationally – to develop a comprehensive memorandum. This document will outline urgent demands, including the strengthened enforcement of GBV legislation, increased and sustained funding for survivor support services, mandatory specialised training for police and healthcare personnel, and the formal declaration of gender-based violence as a national state of disaster. Organisers are committed to ensuring that the process is inclusive and representative of diverse voices and lived experiences. They are actively engaging with Members of Parliament in advance of the memorandum's submission to the National Government. This initiative serves not only as a call to action for policymakers, but also as a powerful reminder to all South Africans – at home and abroad – of their collective responsibility to hold elected leaders accountable and to demand justice, protection, and dignity for all. 'As Freedom Day approaches, we must confront the harsh truth: there is no real freedom while women and children live under the constant threat of violence. This is not only a gender issue – it is a national moral failure,' emphasised Hayley Reichert, founder of Operation Watershed. Members of the public are urged to attend the protest at Trafalgar Square on 26 April at 10:30. Bring your voice, your presence, and your unwavering demand for justice. We are facing a national emergency – silence is complicity, and inaction costs lives. Now is the time to rise, silence is no longer an option. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DriveTime Partners with Girl Gang Garage to Donate Van to Maggie's Place
PHOENIX, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DriveTime's commitment to supporting the community takes the driver's seat this Saturday, March 26, at 10 a.m. as the company, in partnership with Girl Gang Garage, donates a fully refurbished van to Maggie's Place. This donation marks the culmination of the Women for Change initiative, a collaboration between DriveTime, Girl Gang Garage, and Maggie's Place, designed to empower and uplift women in need. Last summer, 10 women from various Reconditioning Centers and SilverRock joined Bogi at Girl Gang Garage to contribute over 250 hours of their time to benefit women in need with a vehicle build. The success of this project was made possible through the generosity of U Pull U Pay, which donated the van, and Advance Auto Parts, which provided essential parts for the refurbishment. Their contributions ensured that the vehicle was restored to a safe and reliable condition, ready to serve the mothers and children of Maggie's Place. "At DriveTime, we believe in creating opportunities that improve lives," said Robyn Jordan, Head of People at DriveTime. "Partnering with Girl Gang Garage and Maggie's Place allowed us to make a tangible difference in the lives of women and families. This van is more than a vehicle; it symbolizes empowerment, independence, and hope." Maggie's Place provides safe housing and a nurturing environment for homeless pregnant women, equipping them with resources and support to thrive. The organization's CEO, Laura Magruder, expressed her gratitude for the donation and the collective effort that made it possible. "Maggie's Place is honored to be the recipient of this van, refurbished by women for women," said Laura Magruder, Maggie's Place CEO. "I want to thank everyone involved including DriveTime, Women for Change and Bogi's Garage, as well as the many women who volunteered numerous hours to complete this project. We appreciate the community support we receive for our moms and their babies." The event will take place at Maggie's Place headquarters, where the van will be officially presented to the organization. Attendees will have the opportunity to see firsthand the impact of this collaboration and celebrate the dedication of all involved. About DriveTime The DriveTime Brand Family brings a contemporary perspective to the pre-owned car buying experience. At the intersection of technology and innovation, the family of companies uses proprietary tools and over two decades of industry knowledge to redefine the process of purchasing, financing, and protecting vehicles. Through its mission of creating opportunities and improving lives, DriveTime is dedicated to helping customers get behind the wheel of a reliable car, supporting its customers through the life of their loan, and providing the necessary ancillary products and warranties. Together, the brand family places a focus on putting the right customer in the right vehicle to get them on the path to ownership. About Girl Gang Garage Founded as a catalyst for change by Bogi, Girl Gang Garage creates opportunities for women in the trades to work together, share skills and inspire confidence. Through monthly classes and workshops, Girl Gang Garage provides women of all ages with little to no automotive experience hands-on training to take the intimidation out of the equation. About Maggie's Place Maggie's Place is a 501(c)3 organization committed to serving mothers by providing safe housing and a nurturing community for homeless pregnant women, empowering them to thrive throughout their lifetime. The organization aims to uphold dignity, provide support for those experiencing barriers to thriving, and build an inclusive, trauma-informed community. For media inquires, please reach out to Robyn Jordan at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE DriveTime
