JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
SAY NO TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SOUTH AFRICA: INITIATIVES
Say NO to GBV’s “It Starts in School” initiative aims to raise awareness around the issue within school communities. This begins with recognizing global campaigns like the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, and promoting dignity and respect for all.
Some highlights of “It Starts in School” in South Africa:
Making an educational website for those interested in learning more about the UN Campaign: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Creating an art awareness challenge to promote the use of artistic expression within GBV-related topics.
Employing a spirit week day at AISJ to be “wear orange day”.
Hosting awareness challenges for cohorts to take part in, with prizes for winners.
Putting the 16 Days of Activism on the official AISJ Calendar.
It Starts in School
Orange is the color that represents a world free of violence.
The Ribbons for Change initiative comprises the selling of orange awareness ribbons. Not only do these raise awareness among those who purchase them, but all funds are directly allocated to future initiatives. We employ Ribbons for Change any chance we can.
Ribbons for Change
On Tuesday afternoons for two months, Shanzeh would take cupcakes to a township school which is located just 5 minutes away from AISJ. She met with 9th and 10th grade girls. They sat in a circle, shared experiences, and discussed ways in which they could work to bring change. At the end of the conversation, everyone wrote their thoughts and got a cupcake to celebrate them and make the interaction more memorable. Shanzeh put the letter N on some cupcakes and O on others. This represents the fact that to create NO to gender based violence, we have to come together as one. The goal is that, One Cake at a Time, we can change the current
Due to the surge of COVID 19 strains, One Cake at a Time was unable to continue. This initiative is on pause for now, but new ideas are being brainstormed.
One Cake at a Time
For the upcoming AISA-GISS 2023 conference, Ipyana and Shanzeh decided it would only be best to take on a new and interactive initiative - Start a Conversation Bracelets. Considering the conference was Africa-wide, the idea was that people would bring them back to their respective countries and wear them there. This would spark conversations, both in their schools and in the public.