IN PICTURES: Silent lie-down sweeps SA as GBV declared a national disaster
A large crowd of women dressed in black lie down together on a grassy slope during a silent protest against gender-based violence in Durban on Friday.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO/IOL
Women, children and activists stretched themselves out on cold pavements and city squares on Friday, taking part in a silent 15-minute lie-down and a march held in towns and cities across SA as part of a Women for Change led nationwide shutdown on Friday.
The rallying call was to demand an end to gender-based violence.
On Friday government has officially classified gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a national disaster, following intensifying nationwide protests and growing concern over the abuse of women and children ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit.
The stillness of their protest drew large throngs of crowds who stopped to watch.
And through the lenses of IOL’s cameramen, the quiet power of that moment was captured in a series of striking images.
A wide crowd settles on the grass in the midday Durban heat, with women, children and supporters dressed mostly in black as they take part in a peaceful gathering against gender-based violence.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO/IOL
A protester holds up a cardboard sign reading “Enough is Enough” while others lie down around her during the silent demonstration against gender-based violence in Durban on Friday.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO/IOL
Women walk together in Durban holding purple balloons, a colour used in the shutdown to show unity and strength in the fight to end gender-based violence.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO/IOL
A woman holds a cardboard sign with “#AmINext?” crossed out and replaced with “Since I am next", capturing the fear and urgency behind the call to end gender-based violence.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO/IOL
Two women share a hug during the protest, standing together against gender-based violence and femicide.
Image: SIBONELO NGCOBO/IOL
Women lie down in Cape Town for 15 minutes, protesting gender-based violence and demanding change.
Image: ARMAND HOUGH/IOL
A group of women lie down in Cape Town to protest gender-based violence, with one holding a sign that reads: 'More than 100,000 kids raped in only two years.' The demonstration is part of a call for urgent action to protect children and women.
Image: ARMAND HOUGH/IOL
Women march through the streets of the Mother City holding placards that read 'No Means No,' sending a clear message against sexual violence and demanding respect for consent.
Image: ARMAND HOUGH/IOL
Even men joined the women’s march, showing solidarity. In this photo, a woman has written 'CRIME SCENE' in red on her stomach to highlight the violence women face.
Image: ARMAND HOUGH/IOL
A circle of Cape Town women cheer and chant for an end to gender-based violence as one woman dances in the middle.
Image: ARMAND HOUGH/IOL