#UniteBehind is deeply concerned about the scourge of violence in our country and calls for restraint, unity and decisive action from government.

#UniteBehind organised a public action against all forms of violence in Cape Town at the Grand Parade on Thursday, September 12.

Violence against women and femicide 

South Africa is currently experiencing violence against women and killings, in both private and public spaces – in homes, trains, post-offices, university campuses. We remember and send condolences to the families of Uyinene Mrwetyana, Leighandre Jegels, Meghan Cremer, and many more who have been killed in cold blood by men. We are also aware of women in Cape Flats in places like Elsies River, Gugulethu and Langa whose suffering has been largely normalized.  South Africa has for a long time remained one of countries with a high female interpersonal violence death rates according to the World Health Organisation.

Xenophobic Violence 

At the same time we are seeing rising xenophobia. Xenophobic violence has spread around Johannesburg and Pretoria and threatens to spread across the whole country.

All these forms of violence are interlinked and we need to address the massive unemployment, inequality and poverty that allow them to manifest. We need proper plans and implementation to end these forms of violence. We need more than acts of condemnation from government, we need action now!