What do “slut walksÀ and stilettos have to do with gender violence?

Call me serious, staid, old-fashioned and out of touch but I have to ask: What do “slut walks” and stilettos have to do with gender based violence? The “slut walks” started in Toronto, Canada in response to a Canadian police officer who said that if women wanted to avoid being sexually assaulted, they shouldn’t dress like “sluts.”

This triggered a series of marches across the world to protest the myth that the way a woman dresses invites sexual assault – a completely ludicrous argument that has no basis in reality. Some argue that these marches celebrate women’s sexuality and their right to express it.

Personally, I am not particularly thrilled to refer to myself as a “slut” even to subvert the meaning. It reminds of discussion I have with my 15-year-old daughter about the way girls refer to each other. You often hear young women refer to each other as “ho” and “bitch.”
Both terms are derogatory labels used to refer to women. My argument is, don’t disrespect yourself and each other in a way that legitimises it, that makes it okay for men to call women those names.

So do I want declare myself a “slut”? Unequivocally no. I am comfortable with my sexuality, how I present myself to the world, and am a proud bra wearing feminist. The real question is, why should I have to declare myself a “slut” for a day to protest against sexual violence?

Similar but different is the notion of the “Sisters with Blisters” march. The walk encourages women to wear stilettos and march against gender violence. The idea is that the pain you feel marching in high heels is comparable to the pain of GBV. The project has raised much money for various organisations. The intentions are great.

But, how do we change gender relations? Do we work within the parameters of patriarchy and use the tools and terms to promote change? Or do we break the mold altogether and fight for what is essentially our right?

How many of you remember the (in)famous tri-cameral parliament in South Africa? In true apartheid ideological style, there was a three-chamber parliament for Whites, Coloureds and Indians. No African chamber.

Many Coloured and Indian politicians justified their participation in this horrific structure by saying that change would happen from within. It didn’t work. Using the patriarchal discourse and subverting it from within doesn’t work. A new regime is required.

The notions of “slut walks” and “sisters with blisters” in my view trivialises the experiences of those who live through gender violence everyday. In a recent study on the prevalence and attitudes towards gender based violence (GBV) in the Gauteng province, Gender Links found that 51% of women in the sample had experienced GBV at least once in their life time.

Comparing the pain, trauma and daily struggles of these women to marching in a pair of stilettos is insulting.

In the same study 75% of the men in the sample said that they had perpetrated violence at least once in their life time. What do they take away from “slut walks” and “sisters with blisters”?

The danger is the subtle shift towards the gimmicky and sensational in campaigns on gender issues. Think about national women’s day, a day that should celebrate women’s achievements and identify what we need to do move forward to get closer the goal of gender equality.

At six o’ clock in the morning, my phone rings to wish me happy women’s day. Messages abound about how wonderful we are. All good but not what the day is intended for. All of South Africa should be thinking about how we fully realise women’s human rights and achieve gender equality.

Add to the mix initiatives such as Helen Zille’s HIV testing cash prize fiasco. Zille is offering R10 000 in a draw for people who get tested for HIV. Five people will win R10 000 and then there is a grand prize of R50 000 to be drawn at the end.

The funds for the prizes are coming form Western Cape Provincial coffers. The South African Medical Association has publicly opposed the initiative on ethical and medical grounds. This sets a precedent that creates expectations that testing will rewarded.

It goes against everything that HIV prevention campaigns advocate for. Individuals need to take responsibility and manage their sexual health.

We need to take up campaigns and projects that resonate in our context. I wonder if the 51% of women who have experienced GBV in their life times would participate in a “slut walk” or “Sisters with blisters” march. Do such initiatives represent these women and the issues they face on a daily basis?

Campaigns can be fun and relevant. On Friday evening, 25 November 2011, Gender Links and the City of Joburg launched the 16 Days of Activism on Gender Violence with a Take Back the Night March in Alexandra township in Gauteng. Women, men and children marched through the streets singing and chanting slogans. Am amazing experience.

So this a not a Mother Grundy rant of a sexless, holier than thou, paper feminist but a woman who would like to preserve her pride and dignity.

Kubi Rama is the Chief of Operations at Gender Links. This article is part of the GL Opinion and Commentary Service series for the 16 Days of Activism.