5 MID MORNINGS - 16 DAYS, 16 VOICES - MELISSA SHAWE

In the 2nd episode of "16 Days, 16 Voices" we hear from Melissa Shawe, who shares the reality of growing up in a home marked by violence at the hands of her stepfather. She speaks about years of sexual assault and ongoing physical abuse, and the fear that became part of everyday life. Melissa describes how she would sometimes barricade her younger sisters in a room with her to keep them safe, the time her step father attempted to burn them all alive, or his violent tirades where he beat her with a sjambok. Melissa’s voice is a powerful reminder of the resilience of survivors and of how many families in South Africa are living through similar situations right now. "16 Days, 16 Voices" is our space to stop, listen, and confront the reality of living as a woman in South Africa. Every story in this campaign comes from someone who has survived a country where fear is routine and violence is close to home. These voices remind us that GBV is not a headline or a statistic, it is a lived experience that shapes families, futures, and entire communities. By giving women and girls the room to speak in their own words, we honour their truth and make sure the urgency of this crisis is felt in a way that cannot be ignored.