The purpose of this article is to inform you of the issue of corrective rape on lesbians in South Africa. It seems that the men are raping these women in hopes to cure them of their sexual orientation. The women in towns like Johannesburg and Cape Town are reporting massive accounts of these brutal attacks. However they seem to fall on death ears. According to Action Aid, of every 25 reports, 24 men walk free. These numbers are not acceptable. Africa has turned into the rape capital of the world with a quarter of all women being raped by the age of 16.
No woman regardless of sexual orientation should fall victim to these grotesque and inhumane acts of hate. They aren't the only ones suffering; the children are suffering as well. Nonhlanhla Zwane reported that her 13 year old twin daughters were gang raped because her sexual preference. She also stated that the rapist told her daughters "we just wanted to show you that you don't have to be like your mother." One of the twins committed suicide shortly thereafter.
Another account was on Sizakele Sigasa who was a lesbian activist and outreach worker with the Positive Women's Network who was found dead with her friend. Her hands were tied behind her back with her pants and her ankles tied together by her shoelaces with three bullets to the head and to the collarbone.
Simangele Nhlapho along with her two year old daughter were raped and murdered, her daughters legs were broken as well.
Madoe Mafubedu who was 16 at the time was raped and stabbed repeatedly until she died.
These are just some of the accounts of this behavior and it has turned into a major epidemic. I truly believe that whether you agree to gay rights or not, there should be something in your heart that tells you that this is not right. There should be something within you that should make you want to reach out to these women.
One such group has decided to do just that. During the month of June, The Uzima Collective Group will be launching the project "Because of Who I Am" which focuses on bringing awareness of these brutal attacks against South African lesbians to the forefront. According to the founder, "This is our outreach...this is our mission, and we invite you...gay or straight to unite with us against this epidemic. This could be you, your daughter or a loved one."
