A campaign against “rape culture” at institutions of higher learning spread to East London yesterday after a group of Walter Sisulu University students and some community members protested silently outside the East London Magistrate’s Court.
The students said rape cases were not given the focus they deserved and the issue was not being treated with the seriousness it required.
Siphenokuhle Runqu, a fine-arts BTech student who was one of the organisers of the protest, said the rate at which rape cases increased was of concern.
“It is unacceptable that we still hear of rape cases (where the alleged rapist is) granted bail. The justice system should impose strict measures, even in the handling of rape evidence,” said Runqu.
The students were only dressed in bras and skimpy shorts to highlight that women should not feel guilty for wearing what they wanted to.
“If we do not highlight that rape is a barbaric act we will one day create a society in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence is normalised,” said Runqu.
As the women stood at the entrance of the court, others joined while some showed solidarity by clapping as they passed by.
Zoleka Bango, who was on her lunch break, expressed her admiration for what the protesters were doing cause was important.
“Maybe courts should consider mutilation as a punishment; maybe it will show these perpetrators that this is serious.”
Melinda Nkayi said even though rape was a universal problem, universities had a responsibility to ensure that they provided a safe environment for women.
However, she felt universities could lose the battle to eliminate “rape culture” in their institutions if they did not act now.
“Our institutions do not even want to do the first step in the fight against rape culture which is to recognise that it does exist and that it should be destroyed before it becomes a norm in our varsity careers.” and said the
Protest highlights need to deal with ‘rape culture’ at universities
The students said rape cases were not given the focus they deserved and the issue was not being treated with the seriousness it required.
Siphenokuhle Runqu, a fine-arts BTech student who was one of the organisers of the protest, said the rate at which rape cases increased was of concern.
“It is unacceptable that we still hear of rape cases (where the alleged rapist is) granted bail. The justice system should impose strict measures, even in the handling of rape evidence,” said Runqu.
The students were only dressed in bras and skimpy shorts to highlight that women should not feel guilty for wearing what they wanted to.
“If we do not highlight that rape is a barbaric act we will one day create a society in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence is normalised,” said Runqu.
As the women stood at the entrance of the court, others joined while some showed solidarity by clapping as they passed by.
Zoleka Bango, who was on her lunch break, expressed her admiration for what the protesters were doing cause was important.
“Maybe courts should consider mutilation as a punishment; maybe it will show these perpetrators that this is serious.”
Melinda Nkayi said even though rape was a universal problem, universities had a responsibility to ensure that they provided a safe environment for women.
However, she felt universities could lose the battle to eliminate “rape culture” in their institutions if they did not act now.
“Our institutions do not even want to do the first step in the fight against rape culture which is to recognise that it does exist and that it should be destroyed before it becomes a norm in our varsity careers.” and said the
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos