Women put their feet down for humanity

Dr Tzili Reisenberger and Thandiswa Mphambane take a selfie during the Humanity Walk on Womens Day. Hundreds of women from various organisations took part in the walk from St Georges Cathedral to the Artscape. The event forms part of the theatres Womens Humanity Art Festival.

Hundreds of women from various organisations took part in the eleventh edition of the Humanity Walk on Women’s Day.

The walk from St George’s Cathedral to the Artscape forms part of the theatre’s Women’s Humanity Art Festival.

Artscape CEO, Marlene le Roux, said: “I think what is important is that our lives are not in silos. As a cultural centre it is important that we are part of community issues and challenges. Arts must reflect what is happening in society otherwise we are not going to be relevant.”

Ms Le Roux said when they started with the Humanity Walk and festival it was to look at challenges and put them on stage. “It is also for communities to be part of this that have never had access to this building. This is a day to network and to regroup. This is also a day to say to our communities that there needs to be time to reflect but also time to see that there are NGOs doing things.”

She said that the festival was about celebrating civic groups that work tirelessly for communities.

“Empowerment of women is also empowerment of men. If you rape or hit a woman something has gone wrong in your being. How can you do such an act towards another human being?

“To educate, to empower so that women and men can be part of a society where we respect each other. The changes start in our homes.”

Reverend Mark Andrews said he felt it was an important event to be a part of during Women’s Month. “It is important that we get involved not only today, but each and every day of our lives as a community to be there in support of our women and children.

“It has reached a point that enough is enough. We have seen too many murders of our children and women.

“This needs to come to an end and stop today. Today marks an important event that should perpetuate for the rest of our lives.”

He said that he was encouraged by the amount of people that attended the event on the day.