Don't look away, act against abuse

Stop beating up on each other, especially on the hapless women and children. The 16 days Activism Campaign against gender violence and abuse, is to create a consciousness that molesting any human being is a fundamentally wrong concept that cannot and will never be accepted as part of life.

Might does not mean right and dialogue is one of the most effective options of communicating, that we as human beings, have at our disposal. If we are all created from one image, how can hurting someone else make you feel better.

Get to know yourself, what makes you tick and share it with your partner. Do not create an atmosphere of lies and distrust through one-upmanship. Listen to each other with care and understanding. Don’t beat up on your kids or partner if they do something you don’t agree with. Teach one another compassion and respect. “Love has no desire but to fulfil itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed – for love is sufficient unto love”. You cannot beat a woman or child into loving you. You cannot fight to win or control love. If love is willing, it must needs, by nature, be free to give.

Improve your attitude, inculcate “The Fruits of the Spirit” into your lifestyle and become an agent for peace and reconciliation as opposed to being a hater, a keeper of grudges and consequently, an inferior person. We are all of us as perfect at any given moment and if you learn to retain that state, it becomes a joyful habit instead of a chore. Let us show respect and empathy to one another at all times. Not only in the good but the sad as well.

Most importantly, one way WE can combat this scourge is to teach our children (especially our boy-men) the value of respect, which in this case, OF WOMEN, coupled with the owning of responsibility. This is in OUR power and we can in turn empower them. It’s a long term investment which can be monitored as it progresses. And please don't forget the LOVE. It's the most important ingredient in any positive relationship. The universe is full of it. USE IT.

Start by inducing the simple habit in your children to say: NO to GUNS, DRUGS and ALCOHOL. They all lead to violence and disrespect.