“I think one of the most important tools I have is my voice and I am thrilled to be able to lend my voice to this cause. We all have a responsibility to do something about women abuse and I am appealing to men to take care of us and to women – make your voices heard,” says Lira.
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A familiar song produced in 1983 and taught in schools around the world as part of a sexual abuse prevention programme, has been given a reboot to raise funds to fight the second pandemic – women abuse in South Africa.
‘My body’ samples a song by educational psychologist Peter Alsop, and teaches themes such as consent and boundaries.
The new track features artists including Lira, Juliet Harding from GoodLuck, Mariechan, who rose to fame as one third of the girl group, Jamali, and Gigi LaMayne.
All funds raised from the streaming of My Body will be donated to the 1st for Women Foundation for its ongoing fight to end woman abuse.
Stand up against abuse
“Music has the ability to change attitudes and beliefs. The song encourages women to rise up, walk hand in hand and speak out against women abuse. It reminds men and boys to do the same and put women first – no means no,” says Casey Rousseau from 1st for Women Insurance.
The song will also be used in 1st for Women’s school-based programme in Diepsloot targeting high school students. In the future, the 1st for Women Foundation hopes that the song will be included in school programmes across the country.
My Body can be streamed on all major music streaming sites .
It was composed by Chris Snyman and Garth Barnes and produced by TigerFight.
| SAPS Emergency Services | 10111 |
| Toll-free Crime Stop number | 086 00 10111 |
| GBV Command Centre | Contact the 24-hour Gender Based Violence Command Centre toll-free number 0800 428 428 to report abuse |
| STOP Gender Violence Helpline | Tel: 0800 150 150/ *120*7867# |
| South African Police Service | Report all cases of rape, sexual assault or any form of violence to a local police station or call the toll-free Crime Stop number: 086 00 10111 |
| Legal Aid South Africa | Call the toll-free Legal Aid Advice Line 0800110 110 for free legal aid if you cannot afford one |
| Commission for Gender Equality | Report Gender Discrimination and Abuse: 0800 007 709 |
| South African Human Rights Commission | Call 011 877 3600 to lodge a complaint about human rights violations. |
| Domestic violence Helpline | Stop Women Abuse: 0800 150 150 |
| AIDS Helpline | 0800 012 322 |
| The Warrior Project | FREE legal helpline for victims of domestic abuse: 0860 333 353 |
| People Opposed to Woman Abuse(Powa) | http://www.powa.co.za, Tel: 011 642 4345 |
| Child Welfare South Africa | http://childwelfaresa.org.za/, Tel: 074 080 8315 |
| Childline South Africa | http://www.childlinesa.org.za/, Tel: 0800 055 555 |
| Families South Africa (Famsa) | http://www.famsaorg.mzansiitsolutions.co.za/, Tel: 011 975 7106/7 |
| Tears Foundation | http://www.tears.co.za/, Free SMS helpline: *134*7355#, Tel: 010 590 5920 |
| The Trauma Centre | http://www.trauma.org.za/, Tel: 021 465 7373 |
| Thuthuzela Care Centres | http://isssasa.org.za/ |
