In commemoration of Women’s Month, students from Stellenbosch University (SU) joined the Chalk it Up movement in its stand against gender-based violence, by filling Victoria Street with messages of support, on 8 August.
Megan Haskis, student and SafeSpace RSA Stellenbosch representative, during the Chalk it Up event in June. PHOTO: Instagram/safespacersa
The movement, created by Cape Town-based NGO SafeSpace RSA, has taken over streets in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and the North West, said Megan Haskis, SU student and SafeSpace RSA Stellenbosch representative.
According to the NGO’s Instagram page, Chalk it Up was started to “reclaim public spaces to speak out against gender-based violence”.
The Chalk it Up movement aims to create safe spaces where people can share their experiences and write messages of empowerment and hope, said Haskis.
“We wanted it to be in-your-face because a lot of the time, gender-based violence is not taken seriously enough. By having this event during Women’s Month, we are also hoping to uplift and support women who have experienced any form of gender-based violence,” she said.
People gathered along Victoria Street, in support of the Chalk it Up movement, to write messages for victims of gender-based violence. PHOTO: Hloni Manare
By writing down these messages of support it is a semi-permanent way of reclaiming these spaces, said Jessica Winsper, SU student and attendee of the event.
“We are taking back these spaces, these streets, where so much catcalling and harassment happens. Ultimately, when women come across these messages, we want them to feel like they have support,” said Winsper.
SafeSpace RSA is also launching a website this month where resources and collaborations with other organisations that are working against gender-based violence will be announced, said Haskis.
Most attendees came out in support of fighting gender-based violence in commemoration of Women’s Month. PHOTO: Hloni Manare
Reclaim the space
This is the second Chalk It Up event in Stellenbosch, according to Haskis. The first event was held in June.
By creating these safe spaces, women are empowered to fight and stand up for themselves, said Amazizi Ntoyakhe, SU student and attendee of the recent Chalk it Up event.
“It is great that this event happened during Women’s Month as it reminds us that gender-based violence is still a reality for many women, even during a month meant to celebrate them,” said Ntoyakhe.