Vodacom Walk the talk Against Women and Child Abuse

The first edition of the Vodacom 2.5 km Walk for No Violence Against Women and Children took place at the Vodacom head office in Midrand, Johannesburg today.

Vodacom, through the Vodacom Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Social Development (DSD), WMACA, Kaizer Chiefs FC, Orlando Pirates FC, Vodacom Blue Bulls, Zinhle Masango and DJ Benny Maverick and paid respect to Women and Children by joining in this year’s 16 Days of Activism International Campaign by walking for good.

This year’s walk is dedicated to raising awareness and ensuring mass mobilisation of all communities to promote collective responsibility in the fight to help eradicate violence against women and children.

The Walk for Good also supports Goal five of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which relates to Gender Equality. This is a goal that focuses on the elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Chief Officer for Vodacom Group Corporate Affairs, Takalani Netshitenzhe says: “At Vodacom we believe, together we can accelerate action on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. As Vodacom, this is how we continue to show our support.”

“This is not a government or criminal justice system challenge issue alone, but a societal problem and failure to view it as such jeopardises efforts to eradicate this scourge in our communities. The solution therefore rests with all of us.

“We all need to speak out against women and child abuse and report any abuse to police immediately. We must ensure that children are not exposed to inappropriate sexual and violent material,” says Netshitenzhe.

On behalf of Vodacom Foundation, Netshitenzhe thanked customers, stakeholders, celebrities, members of the media and Vodacom employees for making time to pledge support to this worthy cause by strapping on their running shoes and participating in the inaugural walk for good.

Fitness coach and abuse survivor Zinhle Masangosaid: “Living in fear is the hardest thing to do. When I think about 16 days of activism against violence on women and children, I am reminded that we all have a role to

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