CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The Justice Desk (TJD), an award-winning South Africa human rights non-profit organisation, will be launching a campaign as part of 16 Days of Activism, which will feature "16 voices for 16 Days!". As an organisation that focuses on "Promoting the Power of Everyday Activists", TJD believes in the power of ordinary people to effect impactful and lasting change in their communities.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on the 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until the 10th of December, Human Rights Day. TJD's campaign will feature and amplify the thoughts, reflections, voices and suggestions of incredible individuals on their website www.justicedesk.org and through their various social media platforms throughout 16 Days of Activism. During this period, the 16 chosen voices will be taking on the role of thought-leaders in the GBV space, ultimately discussing the ongoing gender-based violence crisis our country is facing, how action must be taken, how activism can be used as a tool for change, as well as other suggestions for how we can successfully combat gender-based violence in our lifetime.
"Challenging gender-based violence is a collective fight. There are so many incredible people who have a voice and a way forward and we must listen. We can no longer work in silos, but must be encouraged to share our ideas, passions and plans of action." says Jessica Dewhurst, the CEO of The Justice Desk.
Through this campaign, The Justice Desk not only seeks to raise awareness of our GBV crisis but also hopes to bring people together, inspiring one another to recognise the incredible power that South Africans have when we come together for change. By amplifying these 16 remarkable leaders, they hope to inspire others in contributing their own thoughts and voices, uniting in solidarity and raising awareness to the important fight against gender-based violence.
"It is not the job of just some of us to end gender-based violence, it is the job of all of us - and we cannot be successful unless we all play our part, not just during these 16 Days of Activism, but 365-days a year!" continues Jessica Dewhurst, the CEO of The Justice Desk.
The 16 voices are made up of representatives from NPO organisations and foundations such as the Kolisi Foundation, SaHarvest, The Embrace Project, Women Lead Movement, Langa for Men, The Uyinene Foundation and Girls against Oppression. The voices of well-known celebrities such as Zolani Mahola, and TJD's Goodwill Ambassadors Marco Spaumer and Craig Lucas will also be featured, as well as our partners The Waterfront and notable business leaders such as Jon-Foster Pedley and Pumela Salela. Various community activists from Justice Desk projects such as girl survivors of rape and young boys actively fighting against GBV will also be featured.
From the start of the 25th of November, support The Justice Desk and their "16 Voices in 16 Days Campaign" which will raise vital awareness towards combating gender-based violence, but most importantly, inspire others to know that they too can be a part of the change. To follow their campaign or learn more about the work of TJD, follow their social media's: @thejusticedesk and head to their website.