Responding to President Ramaphosa’s call, “Ultimately, the success of our fight to end gender-based violence will require the involvement and support of our entire society,” Anant Singh and Videovision Entertainment have produced an awareness film which includes elements from other films they have produced in order to highlight the issue of gender-based violence.
Launched earlier today, this film shows how endemic violence has become in society. The launch took place online today with the participation of Anant Singh, founder of the Kuhluka Movement, Josina Machel; Executive Director of UN Women Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on a discussion panel. It is fitting that the launch of the film took place as South Africa observes Women’s Month, which celebrates the strength and resilience of women.
Commenting on the initiative, Anant Singh said, “We are all accomplices if we do not speak out against any injustice faced by society, and I have used the medium of film to reinforce this. Today, we are faced with the grave problem violence, especially Gender-Based Violence. It is up to each one of us to do something to help victims; raise awareness and find solutions. Our film is designed to provoke thought and elicit a reaction from people to act against violence, especially violence against women and children.”
Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane commented, “To eradicate a pandemic we need a vaccine that everyone who is infected has to take, therefore all perpetrators must consume films like this, and dialogues addressing their toxic masculinities to free themselves from thinking that to abuse women and children makes them men.”
Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stated, “Every crisis has an opportunity. This crisis offers an opportunity to further entrench the fight against gender-based violence and build digital infrastructure for all, starting with the poorest and closing the gender digital gap.”
Josina Machel said, “Women in our society wake up every day with the possibility of facing violence, rape and death. We all need to speak out and take action to rid our communities of all forms of violence. If we remain silent, we are guilty of perpetuating a violent society. I urge everyone to take action in whatever way they can.”
This gender-based violence initiative is a collaboration between Anant Singh and Videovision Entertainment, Josina Machel’s Kuhluka Movement, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
