Sisters with Blisters, an annual event that is aimed at raising much needed awareness on women and child abuse in this country, has decided on a challenging theme for this year’s walk: it is calling on South African women – and men, if they’re brave enough – to walk the talk in their stiletto shoes. Dogs can also take part, but can pad about barefoot.
“What is a woman willing to do for new shoes? More than you’d imagine… ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ of Sex in the City once said she spent $40 000 on shoes and had no place to stay and would probably grow old living in her shoes! That is why it was decided to use women’s irrational fetish for shoes for a good cause. We thought women who love shoes and are serious about preventing abuse against women and children would take the challenge of walking in their stilettos and speak up to break the silence, literally ‘heel to heal’,” the companies said in a statement.
The Sisters for Blisters event falls in line with the International 16 days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse, which runs from 25 November to10 December. The UN campaign challenges perpetrators of these offences to change their behaviour, making the nation aware of how this violence manifests itself within South African society and the negative impact on these vulnerable groups.
Sponsors 1st for Women and Jacaranda FM wanted an event concept that would grab the attention of listeners and make them aware of this plight – primarily also focusing on the vulnerable group of our society women and children ensuring that they also get the message that they need to stand up and step out of an abusive or violent environment, which is never easy. 1st for Women and Jacaranda FM needed to make them aware of the support and the NGO’s that are available to assist them.
Beneficiaries of this year’s event are Women and Men Against Child Abuse and the Sonke Gender Justice Network.
Women & Men against Child Abuse provide free comprehensive medical, psychological and follow up therapy/treatment to children and their non-offending family members/care givers who have been sexually, physically and emotionally abused at their child-friendly, one-stop Kids Clinics.
Sonke Gender Justice Network (Sonke) is a Section 21 company based in Johannesburg and Cape Town that was established in 2006, works in Southern Africa to build the capacity of government, civil society organisations and citizens to reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of Aids, prevent gender based violence and achieve gender equality through the organisations flagship male involvement programme called the “One Man Can Campaign”.
The event takes place on 23 November in Midrand.
Distances; 4km with dogs, 4km without dogs and 8km
Start venue: Blue Hills Equestrian Estate, Midrand
