Red card for Gender based violence
22 August 2022
The Highbury Foundation hosted a Women’s Day event at the Western Cape Sport School to promote and celebrate women and show their support for the Red Card Campaign against violence and discrimination against women and girls worldwide.
The programme included a 5-a-side soccer tournament followed by various sporting and recreation events and demonstrations by athletes and achievers in various sporting codes.
The Foundation said while remembering the women who contributed to bringing about the new South Africa and those who sacrificed their lives in the process, it was imperative to support young women and girls so that they can create and shape their future.
William Newman of the Highbury Foundation said the event provided a perfect opportunity to support the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network’s (ARDN) Red Card campaign. “It really drives home the message of no discrimination and violence against women and girls.”
All the attendees were asked to show their red cards giving the boot to unfair treatment of women.
The organisation said sport was the one sector in South Africa which brings us lots of joy and happiness and it also tied in with the ARDN’s mission to use art, sport and culture as advocacy mechanisms.
Recent examples of sporting excellence included Banyana Banyana winning the CAF CUP, South Africa’s impressive medal haul at the Commonwealth Games, the Proteas Cricket team’s win against Ireland and the Springboks being victorious against the All Blacks. “So, we must admit that our sport is doing well and brings us lots of happiness. The Foundation has arranged this Women’s Day 5 aside tournament for all of you to enjoy and there will be lots of other activities for all of us to enjoy. We need to live in a culture that values and respects women as much as men.”
About ARDN Red Card Pledge:
In the game of soccer, a red card symbolizes a significant infraction of the rules. The ARDN Red Card Campaign seeks to mobilize individuals, from all sectors of society, to commit to giving a red card to all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
Sign the Red Card Pledge at www.redcardpledge.org
