A Capetonian social activist has walked 1000km over 16 days to raise awarness and funds against domestic violence in South Africa.
John Farelo started his 1000km quest on the 25 November and spent 16 days walking around 60km daily between Milnerton and Blouberg.
The social activist had completed other walks in the past but this was by far his greatest distance.
His aim was to raise money and awareness for the ‘Community Intervention Center‘ which is a non profit organization situated at Milnerton Police Station who provide support and counseling for abused women & children.
Their core function is to assist victims of crime which may include exposure to – armed robberies, high jacking situations, sexual offences like rape or assault, domestic violence, suicide, attempted suicide, murder, family crisis, death, and severe medical trauma.
“The reality of domestic violence in South Africa is really shocking. A woman is abused every 6 minutes. And a woman is killed every 6 hours making South Africa’s femicide rate 5 times higher than the global average.”
Farelo was joined by various community members on his walks and inspired many along the way.
“Imagine if, for 16 days, there was no rape, no child abuse. The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign challenges South Africans to declare a truce on violence against women and children – and, ultimately, to make it a permanent one.”
For the 16th year, South Africa is taking part in the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, which runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
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