By: Natasha Archary
Since the start of the “Me Too” movement, more women around the world have spoken up about sexual abuse, violence and harassment. Activist Tarana Burke launched the movement 10 years ago and her goal was to assure survivors, “you’re heard, you’re understood.”
Apart from allegations against Harvey Weinstein, some powerful men losing their jobs, what’s changed at a broader social level?
Midday Joy with Unathi wanted to know how the “Me Too” movement has given women courage?
Today @Unathi_Africa wants to know…
How has the #MeToo Movement given You courage?
Today @Unathi_Africa wants to know…
How has the #MeToo Movement given You courage?
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Violence against woman
Outside of South Africa, changes and reforms include some states changing their laws. Monetary compensation for survivors may be considered another ‘win’.
Some may argue that compensation for a sexual violation isn’t enough, but what the Me Too movement provided women with was a platform to speak out and be heard.
What the movement did do was affect change across various US states that passed laws prohibiting the use of nondisclosure agreements in sexual misconduct cases.
Although the movement maintains that is one with global reach, in South Africa according to a 2017 study, only 8% to 9% of sexual offences were reported.
21% of women over the age of 18 reported that they’d experienced violence at the hands of a partner and a large number of women choose to not report the matter.
With the country’s femicide rate remaining 5 times higher than the global average, more than half these women die at the hands of their intimate partners.
There’s a long way to go before the movement brings about similar reforms in SA.
Also read: Police arrest 169 for crimes against women and children


