We are the participants of the third National Advocacy Conference organized by the South African Women and Sport Foundation (SAWASF) express serious concern about the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender-based violence in South African sport. We urge the government and governing bodies to take action in order to eradicate sexual harassment and gender-based violence in sport at all levels, from grass-root to high-performance sports.
We would like to kindly remind you that the Republic of South Africa is a signatory of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (signed in 1993 and ratified in 1995). In 1997, the Republic of South Africa also signed the Declaration on Gender and Development for the Prevention and Eradication of Violence against Women and Children. The National Department of Sport and Recreation, National Sports Council and the Commonwealth Games Association, which is affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), have also signed the 1994 Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport.
The commitment made by signing these declarations remains unfulfilled. We, therefore, ask the Department of Sport and Recreation and SASCOC to take necessary measures to ensure all women, children and other vulnerable populations in sports have the opportunity to participate in a safe and supportive environment that preserves the rights, dignity and respect of every individual. We specifically ask the authorities to take action in order to address sexual harassment and gender-based violence in sports.
The South African Women and Sport Foundation demands that immediate action be taken to make South African sports safer. While we recognize that there is no quick solution, we also believe that important steps must be taken so that sexual abuse and gender-based violence do not occur in sports. SAWASF can work with government departments namely Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and SASCOC towards creating a robust mechanism to address these issues.
We can no longer remain silent and fail to take action. We have committed to protecting our women, children and other vulnerable populations. It is time we, as a nation, honour those commitments and act.
Updates
September 5, 2019
The silence from the sporting bodies is deafening. We are busy organizing our next phase of pressure.
September 5, 2019
The momentum is undeniable now. Athletes deserve better and this response proves the country agrees.
Reached 100 supporters
September 5, 2019
95 Comments
I pledge to support and advocate for women protection, particularly in the sport industry where undetected abuse continues. Together let's create Safe environment for our sister, mothers, girls and women.
Bring back death penalty. Adequately skill police officers to do sound investigative work that will stand in court for successful prosecution. Establish judicial systems and courts that will prioritize crimes against woman and children. Police station to be equipped with facilities and skilled personnel to handle cases of violence against women and children. We are tired of living in fear.
End all violence, and especially gender based violence and sexual harassment. Woman must be able to compete without fear of harm and or prejudice.
So many initiatives have been put in place over such a long time to eradicate this scourge on women and children. Indeed sad and sickening....... However....We need to keep on keeping on. Never loose hope. Stand strong, stand tall. This is a time for visible action which condemns all forms of violence against all girls and women.
Enough is enough. We need to address this crisis by creating safe and inclusive platforms for participation for women AND also engaging male athletes/administrators/coaches about behaviors and attitudes that enable or lead to these violations.
This need to STOP!
We fully support this petition!
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We are the participants of the third National Advocacy Conference organized by the South African Women and Sport Foundation (SAWASF) express serious concern about the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender-based violence in South African sport. We urge the government and governing bodies to take action in order to eradicate sexual harassment and gender-based violence in sport at all levels, from grass-root to high-performance sports.
We would like to kindly remind you that the Republic of South Africa is a signatory of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (signed in 1993 and ratified in 1995). In 1997, the Republic of South Africa also signed the Declaration on Gender and Development for the Prevention and Eradication of Violence against Women and Children. The National Department of Sport and Recreation, National Sports Council and the Commonwealth Games Association, which is affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), have also signed the 1994 Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport.
The commitment made by signing these declarations remains unfulfilled. We, therefore, ask the Department of Sport and Recreation and SASCOC to take necessary measures to ensure all women, children and other vulnerable populations in sports have the opportunity to participate in a safe and supportive environment that preserves the rights, dignity and respect of every individual. We specifically ask the authorities to take action in order to address sexual harassment and gender-based violence in sports.
The South African Women and Sport Foundation demands that immediate action be taken to make South African sports safer. While we recognize that there is no quick solution, we also believe that important steps must be taken so that sexual abuse and gender-based violence do not occur in sports. SAWASF can work with government departments namely Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and SASCOC towards creating a robust mechanism to address these issues.
We can no longer remain silent and fail to take action. We have committed to protecting our women, children and other vulnerable populations. It is time we, as a nation, honour those commitments and act.
Updates
September 5, 2019
The silence from the sporting bodies is deafening. We are busy organizing our next phase of pressure.
September 5, 2019
The momentum is undeniable now. Athletes deserve better and this response proves the country agrees.
Reached 100 supporters
September 5, 2019
95 Comments
Bowls South Africa, a National Sports Federation in membership of SASCOC and recognized as such by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, fully support this petition and commit to promote its cause within our affiliated members.
I pledge to support and advocate for women protection, particularly in the sport industry where undetected abuse continues. Together let's create Safe environment for our sister, mothers, girls and women.
Bring back death penalty. Adequately skill police officers to do sound investigative work that will stand in court for successful prosecution. Establish judicial systems and courts that will prioritize crimes against woman and children. Police station to be equipped with facilities and skilled personnel to handle cases of violence against women and children. We are tired of living in fear.
End all violence, and especially gender based violence and sexual harassment. Woman must be able to compete without fear of harm and or prejudice.
So many initiatives have been put in place over such a long time to eradicate this scourge on women and children. Indeed sad and sickening....... However....We need to keep on keeping on. Never loose hope. Stand strong, stand tall. This is a time for visible action which condemns all forms of violence against all girls and women.
Enough is enough. We need to address this crisis by creating safe and inclusive platforms for participation for women AND also engaging male athletes/administrators/coaches about behaviors and attitudes that enable or lead to these violations.
This need to STOP!
We fully support this petition!
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Bowls South Africa, a National Sports Federation in membership of SASCOC and recognized as such by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, fully support this petition and commit to promote its cause within our affiliated members.