NO to women and child abuse!

The end of Women’s Month in South Africa was, ironically, marked by a series of sad and distressing crimes against women and children in particular, with disturbing news reports sprinkling the media well into September. There are many others whose suffering does not end in death and publicity, but secretly continues, day after day. Many are defenceless children and elderly living in fear and under threat, simply incapable of seeking help.

South African women have had enough – more than enough – of being battered, raped and murdered, and it is time to draw a line in the sand!

On Friday, 6 September, Bigen employees expressed their dismay at this latest series of gender-based crimes, and made the decision to take action by wearing black for the day and committing to continue empowering women and children in communities where Bigen operates across the continent. Dr Snowy Khoza, CEO of Bigen, passionate about empowering, protecting and promoting women, elderly and children, encouraged the entire team to take a strong stand and action. “We deeply mourn those innocent, promising young lives which were abruptly ended recently and in the past, but also need to make a public statement against these despicable crimes.”

She reminded Bigen employees that the Group is vehemently against the suppression and abuse of women, which is why Bigen has publicly been recognised by being presented with the Standard Bank Top Gender Icon and Top Gender Empowered Company awards over the past two years. Bigen’s employment policies and procedures encourage fairness and dignity in embracing women in the workplace as equal partners in the delivery of infrastructure development.

Bigen likewise aims to support women empowerment on its infrastructure development projects. “In line with the Group purpose of ‘doing good while doing business’, it is our mandate on every project to channel employment, procurement and skills training opportunities to local communities, favouring women as far as possible,” Dr Khoza explained. “While the empowerment of women and youth is a priority and close to our hearts, we never exploit underage children by employing them in any way.”

Awareness is the first step in uncovering the extent of a problem, with positive action being the next, Dr Khoza emphasised. “As an organisation, fathers, husbands, brothers, mothers, wives, sisters and children of Africa, we can do something to make a real difference. The first step is for us to proactively take a strong and visible stand against women and children abuse to raise awareness and show our support for the victims. This will empower them to come forward, overcoming any shame they may feel, and encourage others to be fearless whistle-blowers.”

Like a tenacious and poisonous weed, the abuse of women and children needs to be eradicated right from root level. Bigen urges all employees – men and women – to help entrench in the heart and mind of every African the message that all women and children must be respected and valued. Every person can be a catalyst for change by addressing abusive and discriminatory mind-sets wherever encountered.