In South Africa, we have fantastic laws, policies, and structures that can compete with ? and even lead ? any country in the world, but there are massive groups in the population for whom stereotypes about sexual violence remain. |
It also comes down to how society perceives the role of men, as opposed to the role of women. Men can do well to change these perceptions, and the violation of women's rights, by redefining their role as the dominant partner. |
It would be wrong for us to say this case is over, but I think there is a victory from the perspective that it is important for rape survivors to hear what the accused has to say. |
It's being said that she's a slut ... that she's a thief of other women's husbands, that she did it for money. |
Much of the time these ... sexual assaults will go unreported because of the stigma that still prevails. As a result, these women might also miss that window of opportunity to access medical care. |
Rape always has to do with power. Where the alleged perpetrator is the former deputy president ? who has so much power ? it was clear to use that we need to have some kind of coordinated support for the claimant. |
That kind of violence leaves a deep scar. |
The campaign takes its name from research conducted by the Medical Research Council which found that only one in nine cases of rape is reported in South Africa. |
There's a culture of, 'Don't speak out, because I didn't speak out'. There's a sense that women have to keep quiet; that speaking out can be a betrayal to the person accused, to the nation, to the political party. |
This case asks us: Who exactly is our democracy being forged for? |
We are sending out a strong message of support and solidarity to survivors of rape and violence. |
We are trying to send a message of support to survivors of sexual violence - to draw attention to social and legal problems around sexual violence in South Africa. |
We had to negotiate to be allowed to go closer (to the court entrance). |
We must note that this judge is thinking in a progressive way. He is well read... and is really showing himself to be on the right track. |