After going back and forth to the civic centre of Cape Town Council a million times, I finally have permission for my Mini-skirt March through the Mother City on Friday December 7th at 10h00!!! Flyers are everywhere, posters have been displayed all over the streets and interviews scheduled for BBC World and Bush radio.

The protest march is in support of rape survivors and to bring attention to their struggle against the often hostile attitude from society. As in the court case of Jacob Zuma last year, who was accused of sexual assault, women are being almost systematically blamed in court. In Zuma’s case, the blame was shifted at the woman for wearing a skirt. Zuma claimed she asked for it. If that’s going to be your next ANC leader, what is the public supposed to think?

During cross examination in court, a rape survivor often has to defend herself against aggressive questions from the lawyer of the accused. The lawyer can even go into her sexual history. Although he has to make a case of it to actually enable this to be used as evidence against the accuser, they ‘very often find a way to get there’, according to Meaka Biggs, advocay coordinator at Rape Crisis.
But rape is not about what you wear and how sexually liberal you are. It’s about power and control. In a system of patriarchy, men have been told for ages that they can rule women. That women can be treated as possession. By bringing attention to the mini-skirt, I aim at getting as much attention as possible (which turns out to work excellent). More importantly, I ‘d like to raise awareness that it is a myth that only girls in mini-skirts get raped, or for that matter: women that sleep with lots of guys or get drunk often. Women get raped by their friends, boyfriends, brothers, fathers and neighbours. In their own houses.
Again, women are being told what NOT to do. Don’t wear a mini-skirt, don’t drink too much, don’t go out alone at night, don’t flirt with a stranger, lock yourself in, close all the windows, don’t listen to loud music if you’re home alone. It’s like this corset being pulled tighter and tighter until you can’t breath anymore.

500.000 women fall victim to sexual assault every year. One out of 9 rape survicors reports to the police. Only 5% of these reports ends up in conviction. Now THAT’s where the problem is.

South Africa has a great Constitution that they go on and on about and now it finally will have a decent Sexual Offences Bill which broadens the definition of rape. The latest version of the Bill widens the definition of rape to recognize both men and boys as victims of rape. It also recognizes that sexual penetration with sticks and other objects constitute rape. In terms of the Bill these acts will now also be deserving of the minimum sentences for rape. The Bill also states that no negative inference can be drawn from a complainant’s delay in reporting the incident of rape. This is currently used to discredit rape survivors during the court process.

That is a lot of improvement. But in order to implement this, attitudes need to be changed, gender sensitivity training needs to be given to police officers and in general, an upgrade of resources is desperately needed.

The council gave me permission for 100 people to gather at the corner of Adderley Street and Whale Street. We’ll be marching over Whale Street and turn right into Long Street, rigth again into Strand Street and finally right again into Adderley Street to finish where we started. We are not allowed to obstruct the free flow of traffic, which is ridiculous to put as a by-law as you give permission for a 100 people to march through the streets. It will be a fucking laugh! Hurray to activism!
Keep an eye on the media on Friday!!

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