Breaking the Silence: WiMSA's Stand Against Gender-Based Violence

As the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence begins, Women in Mining South Africa (WiMSA) reaffirms our relentless commitment to combating this pervasive issue that plagues our society daily. These 16 days serve as a stark reminder, but our fight extends far beyond—it's a constant battle that demands our unrelenting attention and action.

You Are Not Alone

To every survivor of gender-based violence: Your Voice Matters. Your story is powerful. WiMSA is here to amplify your experiences and stand with you in solidarity. Our mining community is forged from strength and resilience, and together, we can reshape our industry and society.

Our Ongoing Commitment

WiMSA's dedication to addressing gender-based violence is not confined to these 16 days. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equality, and safety in the mining sector every single day of the year.

Our approach is multifaceted and relentless:

• Amplifying Survivor Stories: We aim to provide a platform for survivors to share their experiences, breaking the silence and inspiring others to speak out.

• Expert Dialogues: We aim to engage with industry specialists to identify support systems and create actionable strategies for change.

• Empowering Through Knowledge: We aim to equip women with vital information and tools to recognise, prevent, and respond to gender-based violence in all settings—work, home, and social environments.

16 Days of Action and Beyond

During this period of heightened awareness, we're intensifying our efforts:

• Daily Vigilance Tips: Practical advice on staying alert and safeguarding yourself and others.

• Survivor Spotlights: Sharing stories of resilience and triumph to inspire hope and action.

• Expert Webinar: Facilitating a discussion on the impact of GBV on women in mining, resources and support for survivors, legal consequences of non-compliance and inspiring success stories from industry leaders.

• Interactive Polls: Gathering insights to shape our ongoing strategies against gender-based violence.

  
  

These initiatives are just the beginning. Our commitment to eradicating gender-based violence is unwavering and extends to every day of the year.

Equipping for Change

Gender-based violence knows no boundaries—it infiltrates workplaces, homes, and social spaces. By being alert, aware, and knowledgeable, we can arm ourselves with the tools to recognise, resist, and report abuse.

WiMSA is dedicated to providing these tools and empowering every woman to:

• Identify the signs of abuse in all its forms

• Understand their rights and the resources available to them

• Develop strategies for personal safety and support for others

• Challenge and change the narratives that perpetuate violence

A Call to Action

The mining industry has long been male-dominated, but WiMSA envisions a future where every woman feels safe, respected, and empowered. By uniting against gender-based violence, we're not just protecting individuals; we're fortifying our entire community. Let us harness our collective strength to shatter the silence, challenge the norms, and create lasting change.

Whether you're a survivor, an ally, or someone seeking to make a difference, your voice is crucial. Join us in this vital fight against gender-based violence. Remember, in the face of adversity, you are never alone. WiMSA stands strong with you today and every day. Together, we can build a mining industry—and a society—free from the scourge of gender-based violence.

Join us. Speak up. Reach out. Let's make a difference—not just for 16 days, but for a lifetime.

In the words of our Deputy Chairperson, Mogaleadi Seabela: "𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘞𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵. 𝘈𝘵 𝘞𝘪𝘔𝘚𝘈, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱."