Over 100 people recently participated in an interactive artwork that was exhibited on the Stellenbosch University (SU) Rooiplein. The event was initiated to maintain and increase awareness of the severity of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa (SA).
This is according to Alexia Cawood, member of the United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) women empowerment committee. The initiative, which was displayed on 11 May, was Cawood’s idea, because “GBV is still highly prevalent in our society”, she explained.
“The artwork, as it was completed throughout the day, was meant to reflect that there are people of all kinds who are affected by [GBV] in their daily lives,” explained Cawood.
An interactive artwork, organised by the United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) women empowerment committee, was displayed on Stellenbosch University’s Rooiplein on 11 May. The artwork aimed to bring awareness to the prevalence of gender-based violence within South Africa. “It’s this visual representation [the interactive artwork] of such a chaotic and terrifying reality that women face in South Africa being the rape capital of the world,” said Holley Wilson, executive of the committee. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
Marks left behind
People were invited to make a tally mark with red paint on the canvas if they, or someone they know, have suffered through GBV, explained Clivene Draai, a third-year SU student who attended the event.
“The reason I attended this event is because it’s a sensitive topic to me as well,” said Draai. “I think I drew a few, because I was thinking of specific persons [who have been affected by GBV].”
Jessie Stellmacher, another event attendee, explained that she left her mark on the artwork because “I know more victims of GBV [than] I would like to”.
“The United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) is committed to social justice. We do that in various ways but our biggest way is creating and starting those uncomfortable conversations,” said Holley Wilson, executive of the UNASA women empowerment committee. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
“It was quite eye-opening to see all the tallied marks left behind by victims of GBV and people that know another person who suffered from GBV. It makes one realise that you can be walking next to a victim without even knowing,” added Stellmacher.
The board used was rented due to budget constraints and so could not be showcased after the exhibit’s closing at the end of the day, explained Cawood.
‘An outcry that can’t be ignored’
One in five partnered women in South Africa has experienced physical violence from an intimate partner, according to a 2021 Stats SA report.
Just under half of South African women report having ever experienced emotional or economic abuse from their intimate partners, while between 28 and 37% of adult men report having raped a woman, according to a 2021 SaferSpaces report.
One in five partnered South African women has experienced physical violence from an intimate partner, according to a 2021 Stats SA report. “There are people of all kinds who are affected by [gender-based violence] in their daily lives,” said Holley Wilson, executive of the United Nations Association of South Africa women empowerment committee. “This gender-based violence pandemic is affecting all of us more than we realise.” GRAPHIC: Connor Cogill
The exhibit was “an outcry [against GBV] that can’t be ignored or muffled”, according to Holley Wilson, executive for UNASA women empowerment committee.
There was a lot of positive feedback and over 100 people contributed to the artwork, Wilson stated.
“Many people had open conversations with our team about how GBV has affected them or somebody they know of. These conversations [and awareness surrounding the artwork] are crucial in our steps to combating GBV,” said Cawood.