Gender-activist Pekeur, Ubuntu call for a state of emergency after so many child-murders

Thiart warns that many South African schools are not adequately equipped to address bullying and are failing to take timely action. Many South African schools are ill-prepared to deal with the scourge of bullying that affects 3.2 million learners annually because they do not step up efforts to establish a comprehensive anti-bullying and zero-tolerance policy, said Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust, a women-led organization and a pioneer in the field of anti-bullying. “It is our responsibility to educate the learners and parents about anti-bully policies and develop a culture of no bullying and restorative practices to prevent this national scourge,” Thiart warned. Thiart spoke in the wake of the assault at Milnerton High School in Cape Town last week where several boys, aged 17 and 18, are seen on video repeatedly hitting a Grade 10-learner with various objects, including a hockey stick, hose pipe and belt and also verbally assaulting him. “The horrifying incident at Milnerton High is not an isolated bullying event as 57 % of SA learners experience bullying in their lifetime. Yet, our research shows that many schools are simply not prepared to deal with this scourge,” Thiart said. “Parents participating in the 1000 Women Trust anti-bully training visited 279 South African schools over the past 365 days and established that only 50 % of them had anti-bullying policies, while only 81 of these schools could share the policies,” said Thiart. “None of those 81 schools had restorative practices for bullying,” Thiart added. “Following the tragic suicide of grade 10 Limpopo girl Lufano Mavhanga after a severe bullying incident in 2021, we sent a team to Limpopo to kick off an anti-bullying campaign and shared our comprehensive anti-bullying toolkit with the schools,” Thiart said. “Schools must establish an anti-bullying and zero-tolerance policy with input from all members of the school community to determine how the school will implement rules of conduct. They must devise a bullying prevention plan that involves all stakeholders in addressing unacceptable actions and in knowing how to endorse positive behaviour,” Thiart said. “During the recent incident at Milnerton High, reports said the footage indicate some learners standing by and recording the assault, while others are encouraging the attackers. At 1000 Women Trust, we educate bystanders on their role to support the victim and become positive upstanders,” Thiart added. “We encourage schools to participate in anti-bullying campaigns and organise workshops for teachers and parents. Involve all learners in the anti-bully campaign” Thiart said. “We must act now. Bullying is linked to gender-based violence as our experience show that 90 % of bullies will become perpetrators of gender-based violence,” Thiart said. “At 1000 Women Trust, we provide counselling to the bully and victim, we also support the school to develop an anti-bully policy and include restorative practices to support all stakeholders,” said Thiart. The 1000 Women Trust invite all parents, teachers and community leaders to participate in its anti-bully training, it is free and on Whatsapp. Schools can also download the training manual from the website www.bullying.co.za or contact (0614690479 for Infographics to use in educating the school about bullying. Press release compiled by Fanie Heyns on behalf of 1000 Women Trust. For more information, contact Tina Thiart on (073) 2079079 or Bianca Charles on (073) 0903363

October Awareness: A month to heal, unite and empower By Zyboonisa Moola Adams 1000 Women Trust Ambassador October is a month of deep reflection, courage, and compassion — a time when our collective focus turns to Mental Health Awareness, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Domestic Violence Awareness. It is a month that reminds us that healing is not only physical, but emotional and spiritual — and that our health, safety, and peace of mind are all connected. Across South Africa and the world, October shines as a beacon of hope — painted in three powerful colours: Green for Mental Health Awareness, Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, and Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness. Each ribbon carries its own message, but together they weave a story of resilience, awareness, and empowerment. Mental Health Awareness Mental health affects how we think, feel, and live each day. Yet too many still suffer in silence, fearing stigma or judgment. This October, we are reminded that it’s okay not to be okay — and it’s brave to seek help. Emotional wellness is the foundation upon which we build strong families and thriving communities. Healing begins with conversation. Let us break the silence, offer listening ears, and create safe spaces where no one feels alone. The pink ribbon stands as a symbol of strength, early detection, and sisterhood. Breast cancer continues to impact the lives of thousands of women and families each year. But with awareness, education, and regular screenings, lives can be saved. Let this month inspire every woman to prioritise her health — to do self-examinations, attend screenings, and encourage others to do the same. Early detection truly saves lives. Behind every survivor is a story of faith, endurance, and community support. Together, we wear pink to honour them — and to remind others that hope is stronger than fear. Domestic violence remains one of the greatest threats to women and families across our nation. It hides in silence, behind closed doors, and under the weight of shame. But it must be confronted with truth, support, and courage. As an ambassador with the 1000 Women Trust, I have seen the power of women standing together — breaking the cycle of violence through empowerment, trauma counselling, and education. No woman should ever have to choose between safety and survival. Let us build communities that say no more — no more fear, no more silence, no more abuse. A month of collective healing, October is not just about awareness — it is about action. It is about reaching out to someone struggling with their mental health, encouraging a loved one to book a screening, and offering support to a survivor seeking safety. Healing begins when we stand together — when compassion becomes our common language. Let us wear our ribbons with pride — green, pink, and purple — as symbols of unity, strength, and hope. Together, we can build a world where mental health is prioritised, illness is met with support, and violence is replaced with love and respect. 1000 Women Trust is a South African Women's Rights Organisation dedicated to combating gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). For over two decades, we've been empowering GBV Community Organisations nationwide, advocating for change and resilience. South Africa grapples with alarming GBV statistics. In 2023 alone, Minister Bheki Cele reported over 10,500 rapes, 1,500 attempted murders, and 14,400 assaults against women in just three months. Tragically, 881 women were murdered during the same period. Regrettably, we rank third globally in rape cases, highlighting the urgency of our mission. At 1000 Women, we stand with survivors and the organisations supporting them. We believe in equipping women with knowledge, skills, and resources to chart their own paths towards solutions. Our efforts aim to inspire, educate, and empower women, driving towards gender equality in our communities. For more information, visit 1000 Women Trust on www.1000women.co.za or email us on info@1000women.co.za .

CAPE TOWN. - Esmé Julies is providing a bed and a meal to homeless children in Kalkfontein, a safe space for abused women and hope for young people seeking employment. But her transformation would not have been possible if she did not seek professional help while married to an abusive husband. “In October 2024, the HSRC’s first national study on GBV revealed that 33.1 % of women aged 18 years and older had experienced physical violence in their lifetime. This translated to an estimated 7310 389 women when generalised to the SA population. I was part of those 33.1 % women,” said Julies. “I was married to a husband for 16 years. At the infancy stage of our relationship, all went well. But gradually, I found out that my husband had a relationship with another woman. When I confronted him because he was never at home, he became violent. “He once hit me with a shovel. On another occasion, I suffered a stab wound after he attacked me with a knife,” she said. “Things changed when I was introduced to the trauma training material of the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust,” Julies said. “The trauma training course became a catalyst for my healing,” she said. “The trauma training course equips attendants to know what trauma is, how it manifests and what the body do when one feels traumatized or overwhelmed. It also teaches attendants on how to become a safe space for others who have encountered trauma, to be sympathetic and reflective listeners, and to share skills with the victim of trauma which will equip them to deal effectively with their trauma,” Julies said. “Sharing my experience with others and doing the trauma training course, enabled me to stand up to my husband’s physical, emotional and financial abuse. I also went to court to fight him and I eventually won back my house in court,” Julies says. “The leadership of Tina Thiart of 1000 Women Trust was also a factor and through her I became a GBV-ambassador of the (Western Cape) Department of Social Development,” she said. Julies is a director of the NPO Women rebuilding broken hearts. She daily provides a safe space for homeless children and to women who are survivors of GBV, said Julies in her role as GBV-Warrior of 1000 Women Trust. When asked what her advice would be to women who are caught up in abusive relationships during mental health awareness month, Julies said: “Do not remain silent. Share your story with other people. Join a support group. “Get trauma training, receive some job training and empowerment from business leaders. But don’t suffer in silence and in isolation,” Julies said. 1000 Women Trust works to end gender-based violence (GBV) by empowering women and girls, providing resources and skills, advocating for policy change, raising awareness, and offering direct support through initiatives like GBV Community advice offices, trauma training, and anti-bullying programs. They collaborate with community organizations and government to mobilize resources and support survivors. For more information, contact 1000 Women Trust on info@1000women.co.za or phone them on (061) 4690479.

PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF SOCIAL IMPACT WITH PEARL: 18 TH SEPTEMBER 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March to parliament on Heritage Day organized to demand reform to justice system CAPE TOWN. - On Heritage Day (24 th September), South Africans will gather outside the Cape Town High Court for the March for Justice, a peaceful civil society action demanding accountability, fairness, and reform to the justice system, said Pearl Walsh, activist and founder of Social Impact With Pearl. “This march is not about one case. It is about systemic failures that touch the lives of women, children, pensioners, GBV survivors, and vulnerable families across South Africa,” Walsh said. “Justice Desk Africa recently said: Justice is the bedrock of any democracy. It is the mechanism by which societies protect their most vulnerable and uphold the rule of law. However, when a justice system fails in its duty to protect and deliver fair outcomes, it does not just betray victims — it fractures the very fabric of our nation, and I am in full agreement,” Walsh added. The case of Timothy Omotoso, a well-documented example of judicial delay and inefficiency, highlights the failures of a system that too often places the burden on victims rather than perpetrators. These failures are also evident in the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana captain, Senzo Meyiwa, who was killed in October 2014. Endless delays and postponements to the case have eroded public trust in the justice system. In September 2021, 15-year-old Zenizole Vena was gang-raped and later died at the Motherwell Police Station. Four years later, her family and friends have seen no justice served for this heinous crime. “This is not just one woman’s fight. It is for every South African who has been silenced by the courts. It is for our children’s future. It is for justice, equality, and truth. We must get rid of the rot in the legal system. What is Heritage without Justice,” said Walsh. “What is freedom without equality? This march is for the people, by the people, to affirm that our Constitution is not just words on paper but a living promise of dignity, fairness, humility, humanity, and accountability. “We march because courts are failing women, children, and vulnerable families. Judges are protecting corrupt lawyers, advocates, forensic specialists, psychologists, mediators, trustees, and executors,” Walsh said. “We march because estates worth millions and billions are being looted through international tax frauds, with support of judges, and with no accountability,” she added. “Self-represented citizens are being silenced instead of supported. “The average citizen does not have access to the courts nor the financial means to afford a lawyer. “The same legal networks that shielded corporate corruption in the past continue unchecked today,” Walsh added. “We demand equal access to justice for all citizens, accountability from judges & the Master of the High Court, the termination of fraudulent liquidation of estates and end to judicial corruption and bias,” Walsh said. “We demand government support for the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) and grassroots lawyers and government support for more mixed-race lawyers and advocates, and more female lawyers and advocates, not only for elite white and Jewish law firms who own buildings built from exorbitant fees charged to citizens. “The state is designed to fail the people, and the Rules of Law are bent backwards for the wealthy clients,” Walsh added. Walsh said many individuals and NGOs will join the march for justice and she expect that a thousand people will join. The march will start at the Cape Town High Court at 10:00 on Heritage Day. The march will take place in collaboration with PMC, 1000 Women Tust, ADHD NDK Foundation, Kevin Alexander Foundation, Tusam Organization, ASIC Media, GBV Support Group, Freedom Front Plus (VF+), Black Lawyers Assocation and funders. About Social Impact With Pearl: It is an initiative that vows to expose judicial dysfunction, protect the vulnerable and bring humility back to humanity through human dignity. Press release compiled on behalf of Social Impact With Pearl. For more information or interviews, contact Pearl Walsh on (076) 6050090 or on pearlwalsh2014@gmail.com

PRESS RELEASE ON BEHALF OF 1000 WOMEN TRUST: 8 TH SEPTEMBER 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ‘Increase in extortion by traditional healers, ukuthwala must be investigated’ There is an alarming increase in cases of traditional healers who are abducting young girls and boys and approaching parents to pay extortion money by threatening them that their children will die if they don’t pay, said Thuto Setlogelo, an ambassador of the women-led organization1000 Women Trust and deputy director of risk management at the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. “I have personally handled cases where sangomas took children without the consent of the parents and refused to release them unless they pay extortion money,” said Setlogelo. “I handled the case of a 23-year old girl in Ladybrand when I accompanied the mother from Bloemfontein to fetch the daughter. I have also handled the case of a 25-year old man, also abducted by sangomas without the parents’ consent and who refused to release them unless the parents pay ransom,” said Setlogelo. “These traditional healers have transgressed the ethical code and are clueless about the laws pertaining to bullying and gender-based violence,” said Setlogelo. Setlogelo says she is in talks with the department of health as well as with mor regeneration leaders to do roadshows and workshops in the Free State engaging with traditional leaders so that they can understand the legislation and legal framework. “These sangomas work informally but there is no compliance with the law,” she says. “Some of these traditional healers are bullies who abduct youth and adults into initiation processes without consent of parents and extort parents with threats to the victim that their lives will end tragically if parents do not pay,” she warned. Cynthia Khumalo, an ambassador and board member of 1000 Women Trust, said: “Some self-proclaimed healers see extortion as a quick way to make money. I had a case that a learner was raped by a traditional healer and threatened her that if she says anything about it he is going to kill the whole family,” Khumalo added. “Threats give them control over vulnerable families who fear spiritual consequences,” Khumalo said. Although healers are recognised under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act (2007), many operate informally, outside any code of ethics, Khumalo said. Families fear speaking out because questioning a healer may be seen as disrespectful to ancestors, Khumalo said. Authentic healers serve communities, preserve life, and accept reasonable compensation. Abusers exploit fear, demand unreasonable money, and harm families – they are not healers but extortionists hiding behind culture, Khumalo said. “Payment for healing is part of our culture, but when money is demanded through threats, abduction, or fear, that is no longer healing – it is extortion, it is abuse, and it is criminal,” Khumalo said. Setlogelo said she plans roadshows engaging with traditional healers, where she will personally train them to ensure that they do trauma training courses and an anti-bully course so that they integrate these materials into their initiation schools and abide by a code of conduct. Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust, said there must be a renewed spotlight on harmful cultural practices that endanger the lives of young women in South Africa, including abuse by traditional healers and Ukuthwala. “Ukuthwala is the South African term for bride kidnapping, the practice of a man abducting a young girls and forcing her into marriage, often without the consent of her parents. “These marriages by capture occur mainly in rural parts of South Africa, in particular the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal,” Thiart said. “In one year – 2021 – 34 young girls were killed by their “husbands” in the Eastern Cape, and indication that Ukuthwala is still in practice,” Thiart added. Palesa Mbowe, an ambassador and board member of 1000 Women Trust, says in the Eastern Cape cases have been reported where young girls (some as young as 12 or 13) were abducted under the pretense of Ukuthwala and forced into marriages with older men. Survivors described been taken from school, beaten into submission and denied education. Some suffered early pregnancies, health complication and lifelong trauma. “This shown how culture can be twisted into abuse. True African tradition never supported the destruction of children’s futures,” said Mboweni. “There have been cases of women killed by partners who claimed that violence was a form of discipline or manhood,” she added. The practice of Ukuthwala is still rife in the country and is possibly one of the multiple causes of teenage pregnancies. In the past financial year there was more of 122000 teenagers who gave birth, with 2718 young girls aged 10 to 14 and 119587 teens aged 15 to 19, Thiart added. Recently, the Eastern Cape Aids-council revealed that more than 300 girls aged between 10 and 14 gave birth in the Eastern Cape since April 2024. More than 15000 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 gave birth at public healthcare facilities in the 2024/2025 financial year. Some of the cases of girls falling pregnant, have links to Ukuthwala, says Thiart. Khumalo said the abuse of traditional healing and the distortion of Ukuthwala are urgent threats to South Africa’s women and children. These practices are not culture — they are crimes. “We must stop hiding behind the word ‘tradition.’ Ukuthwala is child trafficking, and healer extortion is criminal abuse. Our girls deserve safety, education, and the chance to grow up free from violence,” Khumalo said. Thiart said when a girl of between 10 and 14 falls pregnant, it is statutory rape and should be investigated and the perpetrator must face the consequences of his actions. There must also be a formal investigation into the practices of traditional healers abducting men and women, and of the practice of ukuthwala. The perpetrators of ukuthwala must face lengthy jail time, and the practice must be rooted out and eradicated. Press release compiled by Fanie Heyns on behalf of 1000 Women Trust. For more information, contact Palesa Mboweni on 0815175645 or contact Cynthia Khumalo on 0723862771.t 1000 Women Trust on info@1000women.co.za or visit the website on www.1000women.co.za .

Uyinene Mrewetyana-march and 1000 Women Trust’s continuous work in communities The annual Uyinene Mrwetyana Memorial March is proving to have a profound positive impact on the ground, particularly in shifting attitudes among men and young boys. On Saturday 23 rd August 2025, Staff and students from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and other institutions; pupils, staff, and members of the public braved cold and rainy weather to take part in the anti-gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) walk. The march stretched from Darling Street, near the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, to Parliament. This year’s theme, “Reimagining Safety: Developing the Boy Child as Catalysts for Change”, was chosen to highlight the role of nurturing, educating, and empowering boys as part of building a safer society for all. The march was organised by the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation (UMF), in partnership with UCT and organisations such as Langa For Men. (Source: University of Cape Town news, 26 th August 2025). The event honoured the memory of 19-year-old Uyinene Mrwetyana, a UCT student who was raped and murdered by postal worker Luyanda Botha at the Clareinch Post Office in 2019, as well as all victims of GBVF. Popular artist Zolani Mahola moved the crowd with a powerful performance. Leading the march were Uyinene’s mother, Noma Mrwetyana; UCT Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Transformation, Student Affairs and Social Responsiveness Professor Elelwani Ramugondo; and former Western Cape MEC for Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, among others. While GBV cases increase, efforts like the Uyinene Mrwetyana Memorial March are making a positive impact. Although the pain of Uyinene’s death remains, her mother said she has witnessed signs of change. A traffic officer told her that Uyinene’s story brought him closer to his daughter, who is at university. (Source: University of Cape Town news, 26 th August 2025). “So, change is happening on the ground. We may not see it, but in the minds of men there is some change in how they view young girls and how they raise their children. There are many women who have been saved because of Uyinene’s passing. We are saying no other woman must go through what she went through.” Addressing the marchers, Professor Ramugondo rooted her call to action in South Africa’s history and collective responsibility. “You can’t live when you have harmed a woman because land is incubated within these very bodies. We’re not talking about physical death … you exist only in flesh, but you are gone. You are no longer a human being in the sense of ubuntu. When a woman’s body becomes a weapon of war in a country that is otherwise not at war, something is broken.” Tina Thiart, cofounder of 1000 Women Trust, said the violent death of Uyinene Mrwetyana sparked a national uproar and demands from women-led organization for change which led to the first presidential summit against gender-based violence and femicide. 1000 Women Trust has been at the forefront of the campaign to change the hearts and minds of toddlers, teenagers and men through its Talking to Boys-campaign, a campaign that is ongoing. “But we are also equipping communities to deal with the avalanche of gender-based violence through our GBV-Warriors who, at safe rooms, create safe spaces for women who were subjected to gender-based violence. Our quest to equip 52 safe rooms with resources where our GBV-Warriors can assist affected women and children, are continuing,” Thiart said. 1000 Women Trust collaborate with Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and women-led groups to raise awareness and support survivors of GBV. Our belief: with access to knowledge, skills, and resources, women can find their own solutions. We advocate for gender equality in our communities. For more information, contact the Trust on info@1000women.co.za or phone on 061-4690479.

Advocate makes alarming claims about victims of child rape admitted to Care Centers About 60 to 65 % of people treated at the Thuthuzela Care Centers are children who are raped in their family homes in South Africa, says advocate Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, executive director of the Mosaic women’s training service and healing centre. Adv. Mchuchu-MacMillan spoke at a women-in-dialogue-event, hosted by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, a pioneer in the field of creating awareness of gender-based violence, at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town during the weekend. More than 250 women attended the glittering event and were welcomed by Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre. Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust, said these alarming revelations form part of a bigger picture pf 113 women that are raped every day. According to a recent study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) an estimated total of 1 338 336 women were abused roughly between January and December of 2021 and 432 525 women were sexually abused. When one pay tribute to the more than 20000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 th August 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws to women, one must also pay tribute to the more than 950 SA women that are murdered in each quarter of the year, she said. Thiart also referred to the statistics that underline the gender inequality that still exist in South Africa. “One in five girls get married before they get to the age of 16 and one in four girls do not enroll at secondary school,” she said. “In South Africa, women, on average earn 30 % less than men, and of the 50000 sexual offences that are reported annually, most go unpunished,” Thiart added. “Girls in rural areas are twice as likely to drop out of school than in metropolitan areas,” Thiart said. Thiart emphasized the commitment by 1000 Women Trust of providing resources to 52 safe houses in South Africa over the next few months in support of warriors in GBV-hotspots across the country to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These safe houses fill the void in the period between an attack in the evening and the next day when these warriors will escort the women to the police stations, Thuthuzela Care Centres or the courts to lay charges. Felicity An Guest, a child maintenance expert who suffered economic abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, warned at the event that a dysfunctional child maintenance court and system is often weaponized to punish the ex-wives in South Africa. She said 60 % of women in South Africa who are divorced, get zero child support due to a dysfunctional child support system. “Ultimately, these courts can become a form of oppression and make these women more vulnerable to more abuse by their ex-husbands,” she warned Lynn Hill, a globally recognized motivational speaker who overcame rape, said in a poem at the women-in-dialogue-event: “Pain became my second name and my gateway to victory. My roar is to live a purposeful life. Self-love amplifies my presence in the world.” Leonie Viljoen, a gender activist who ascended Kilimanjaro at the end of June to create awareness of GBV and femicide, said she raised more than R20000 through her efforts for 1000 Women Trust. “The climb underlined the fact that ordinary women can still do extraordinary things,” she said. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, contact the Trust on info@1000women.co.za or phone on 061 469 0479 .

Advocate makes alarming claims about victims of child rape admitted to Care Centers About 60 to 65 % of people treated at the Thuthuzela Care Centers are children who are raped in their family homes in South Africa, says advocate Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, executive director of the Mosaic women’s training service and healing centre. Adv. Mchuchu-MacMillan spoke at a women-in-dialogue-event, hosted by the women-led organization 1000 Women Trust, a pioneer in the field of creating awareness of gender-based violence, at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town during the weekend. More than 250 women attended the glittering event and were welcomed by Marlene le Roux, CEO of the Artscape Theatre. Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust, said these alarming revelations form part of a bigger picture pf 113 women that are raped every day. According to a recent study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) an estimated total of 1 338 336 women were abused roughly between January and December of 2021 and 432 525 women were sexually abused. When one pay tribute to the more than 20000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 th August 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws to women, one must also pay tribute to the more than 950 SA women that are murdered in each quarter of the year, she said. Thiart also referred to the statistics that underline the gender inequality that still exist in South Africa. “One in five girls get married before they get to the age of 16 and one in four girls do not enroll at secondary school,” she said. “In South Africa, women, on average earn 30 % less than men, and of the 50000 sexual offences that are reported annually, most go unpunished,” Thiart added. “Girls in rural areas are twice as likely to drop out of school than in metropolitan areas,” Thiart said. Thiart emphasized the commitment by 1000 Women Trust of providing resources to 52 safe houses in South Africa over the next few months in support of warriors in GBV-hotspots across the country to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These safe houses fill the void in the period between an attack in the evening and the next day when these warriors will escort the women to the police stations, Thuthuzela Care Centres or the courts to lay charges. Felicity An Guest, a child maintenance expert who suffered economic abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, warned at the event that a dysfunctional child maintenance court and system is often weaponized to punish the ex-wives in South Africa. She said 60 % of women in South Africa who are divorced, get zero child support due to a dysfunctional child support system. “Ultimately, these courts can become a form of oppression and make these women more vulnerable to more abuse by their ex-husbands,” she warned Lynn Hill, a globally recognized motivational speaker who overcame rape, said in a poem at the women-in-dialogue-event: “Pain became my second name and my gateway to victory. My roar is to live a purposeful life. Self-love amplifies my presence in the world.” Leonie Viljoen, a gender activist who ascended Kilimanjaro at the end of June to create awareness of GBV and femicide, said she raised more than R20000 through her efforts for 1000 Women Trust. “The climb underlined the fact that ordinary women can still do extraordinary things,” she said. For more information about 1000 Women Trust, contact the Trust on info@1000women.co.za or phone on 061 469 0479 .

1000 Women Trust host Women in Dialogue-event – highlight on social calendar of Cape Town – on 8 th August 2025 In celebration of women’s month, 1000 Women Trust, a pioneer in the field of the creation of awareness of gender-based violence, will host one of the social highlights on the calendar of Cape Town - the women in Dialogue event – formally known as the dialogue on gender-based violence and systemic change. It will happen on 8 th August 2025 at the Chandelier Foyer, Artscape Theatre, Cape Town - a powerful platform where women’s voices, experiences, and solutions take center stage. The starting time is 12:00. About women in dialogue on gender-based violence and systemic change: In South Africa, women and girls face unequal access to education, healthcare, safety and economic opportunities. Gender-based violence, wage gaps and under representation in leadership are alarming systems of a deeper, systemic issue. That is the topic that will be discussed on Friday 8 th August in the Chandelier Foyer at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. (Group Tables are available at R2000 per table for eight people). The program, that starts on 12:00, will feature a candle lighting ceremony, a welcoming word by Wendy Ackerman, founder member of 1000 Women Trust, while Leonie Viljoen will share her experience of successfully ascending Kilimanjaro and scaling the heights for the sake of and benefit of women who suffered sexual assaults and abuse. Another highlight of the program will be a panel discussion and table dialogue on women’s inequality – economically and in leadership positions. Tina Thiart, co-founder of 1000 Women Trust and trustee, will deliver her annual report. Lara Fouche, social media manager of 1000 Women Trust, will be the MC, while Bianca Charles will act as event coordinator. Although the Women in Dialogue-event take centre stage in August, this is only part of 1000 Women Trust’s activities during Women’s Month. 1000 Women Trust is providing free on-line trauma volunteer training in August so that women in communities all over the country can create a safe space for others affected by gender-based violence. This free trauma training counseling can be accessed on Whatsapp on (061)4690479 . The Trust also provides free on-line counseling for women in August 2025. Women can phone 061-4690479 to access this counseling service. The Trauma training course of 1000 Women Trust has been a success-story for over five years and 15000 women have completed it. The course have received rave reviews and have been one of the cornerstones of the work done by GBV-Warriors in hotspots afflicted by domestic abuse. A total of 57400 pamphlets creating awareness of gender-based violence have been distributed by the Trust. If you as are able to attend the Women in Dialogue-event, please contact Bianca Charles on 0730903362 . For more information about the Trust, visit the website on www.1000women.co.za or contact the Trust by mail on info@1000women.co.za