For every statistic that we bandy about regarding the rape crisis in our country there are real women behind those numbers. There are real names behind those numbers. It is crucial that we remember this to avoid being de-sensitised to it. The theatre production 'Khwezi... say my name' reminds us of that in a powerful way.
As we draw to the end of Women's Month in South Africa, one of the biggest concerns is that all the important conversations that were carefully curated during the month fade from public view. The cruel nature of a 21st century news cycle is that it moves so fast. There is so much information to consume that important messages which should demand so much more of our attention are inevitably diluted.
Important topics surrounding gender equality, the rape crisis in our country, and violence against women and children are championed during the month of August - but what happens after that? How quickly do we return to the status quo? How much does the work of activists and people who care deeply about these issues fade as we leave August behind?
It's a complicated question and not one that I can answer....
