Tone deaf women’s department trolls women

The Department of Women doesn’t have a stellar reputation to begin with. And on Thursday it went some way towards cementing that reputation for failing the people it’s meant to serve by wading into the debate Marie Claire’s controversial “In Her Shoes” campaign with a tone-deaf tweet.

The August campaign features 18 male celebrities wearing high heels, ostensibly to feel what it is like to be a woman and to stand up against gender-based violence.

One of the celebrities profiled in the spread is 5FM DJ Euphonik, who was charged with domestic abuse by then girlfriend Bonang Matheba just a few years ago.

Focusing specifically on Bonang and Euphonik’s case, on Thursday morning the Department of Women asked what should be done with women who withdraw cases of domestic abuse after pressing charges.

Tweeple immediately pointed out the victim blaming tone of the tweets and the fact that dropping abuse charges does not mean that the abuse never happened.

But the department wasn’t backing down.

And then insisted it was just asking an innocent question.

No doubt this will all be brushed off with a claim that it was all in the interest in spurring debate and spreading knowledge, or some such.

This is not the first time the Department of Women has alienated women with their warped views. Last year at the launch of 16 Days of Activism against the abuse of women and children, Minister Susan Shabangu silently nodded when a fellow speaker said that feminism is unAfrican and women must submit to their husbands.

Will South African women ever get the representation they need from government? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

– Featured image via Wikimedia Commons.