Alexia Klompje

As a conscious human being in today's world, why wouldn't one want to stand up to Gender Based Violence or any violence for that matter?! If you have a voice or a way to express yourself, empower yourself and use it. And in so doing you empower & inspire others.

Vanessa Pather

“If we educate our sons , we won’t have to protect our daughters” - Siya Kolisi

Gender Based Violence in South Africa has been compared to a war, an attack against women and children often perpetrated by people they know. It affects all of us irrespective of class , race, or religion. It occurs in our homes, our communities ,our workplaces , in sport , in places of learning and worship. I place a high value on the role of the family and positive parenting and the contribution that healthy families can make towards building safer spaces for women and children in our communities. At a broader and deeper level, addressing Gender Based Violence must start with how we parent and educate our sons. Through my art , I want to contribute to the battle against this scourge by supporting grass-root organisations that are at the frontline, combatting Gender Based Violence in their communities.

Chanelle Volschenk

I want to help raise awareness that gender-based violence including sexual harassment against women, men, girls and boys are not okay. I want to create for this cause to break the silence around gender-based violence and to promote gender equality in our homes and the workplace. I want to create art with meaning.

Teneille Francis

As a South African woman, I have a moral responsibility to empower and help the women and children around me. The threat of Gender based violence grows larger every day and we must do what we can to stop it. I'm glad to have this opportunity to use my talents to speak out and raise awareness for the cause. 

Sarvesha Moodley

Over the last few years there have been many times where I’ve questioned what it will take before we start seeing meaningful change in our society, especially to reduce the prevalence of Gender Based Violence in SA. It is an issue that does not discriminate based on race or LSM, and I know too many women in my circle who have gone through trauma because men have not respected boundaries. 

We have marched, and we have chanted “Enough is Enough”. I am now turning to The Embrace Project, to create awareness with art, and to contribute to the empowerment of our women and children. Let’s use our voices and paintbrushes to create the change we want to see in our country.”

Tara Deacon

Gender based violence in South Africa is Rampant and lacks the necessary funding to create awareness and 

much needed safe spaces for victims of these crimes. Women and our struggles against GBV have been silenced for far too long , 

which is just one of the reasons why this cause is so incredibly close to my heart.

Keren Setton

I believe in equality and safety for all, especially those that are disenfranchised because of gender, race or sexuality. I feel strongly in standing up against GBV and shouting out for change. If my art can help with a cause like this, I am so grateful and honoured. It is time to end GBV, enough is enough!

Liesel Wessels

As an overcomer of GBV, not only do I have big empathy with victims, especially children. I know firsthand what big difference it makes just to get a little bit of professional support. I believe strongly that art should play a major role in our society for a positive effect and not just entertainment. My hope, is that by contributing to the cause it will reach our most vulnerable societies and make a better future South Africa.

Luke Mateman

I wanted to contribute in some small part to the cause against gender-based violence because I believe that violence on the bases of gender is a burden on our society. I believe no one has the right over another, no one should force there will on others especially on the base of gender. “Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace” Kofi Annan.

Gender-based violence affects many and if I can assist with my art to both grow awareness and inspire others for me that is an achievement, I believe art has the power to inspire others to get involved, to make the change. “In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it”. Ernst Fischer

Dr Anja “Nanna” Venter

Discrimination on the basis of gender, and violence perpetrated by men against women, queer and gender-non conforming individuals is a scourge on our society. Every little bit of awareness and every little bit of education plays a small part in dismantling this oppressive force. I want to live in a world where we don't have to be scared. Donating art is the least I can do for the cause!

Carys Bailey

I completed my honours in psychology last year. My research so far has focused on intimate partner violence and child abuse. At the moment I am an intern at the Trauma Clinic in Cape Town where I work with adolescents from low resourced settings.  Both of these experiences have opened my eyes to what a huge problem gender based violence is in South Africa. I want to be able to combat social injustices through my work which is why I pursued a career in psychology.

Christi Lee

I have always been a massive supporter of things supporting women, as a feminist illustrator. I really do believe that a project like this is very very important, especially during this time. I am honoured and beyond excited to be part of this project which will definitely make such a difference in the best way possible. I just want to help where I can.

Annicia Kitching

It is time to break the silence and create a safe space for the victims to come out and break free from their abusers. We also need to create an awareness for the abuser that it is not acceptable. That is why I  want to contribute to this cause and create art that can raise an awareness of what needs to change. Lets create a space where everyone can feel safe.

Charne Visser

I am a South African born Artist living in the UK. I believe that art is a powerful tool that can not only reflect society around it, but support communities found within that society. Every life is precious, and it pains me to think that one human can inflict harm on another. For this reason I humbly stand by this cause and want to help in any way possible.

Tiffany Onderstall

To me, art can be much more than just an aesthetic pleasure to the observer. The message carried across is unique to each individual, and - as an anonymous graffiti artist in Cape Town, South Africa, once stated: art is a weapon of peace. Just because a woman is socially perceived as vulnerable does not mean we are weak, and art may be our peaceful weapon to fight against the challenging stigmas we experience every day.

Phathu Nembilwi

Gender based violence has been such a huge problem in our country and there weren't many places or organizations available, where people could go so they can be protected and helped.

As a women I have always wondered how I can help and this is definitely one way for me to contribute.

Mariana Lancastre

I am convinced of the power of beauty to fight the wrongs of the world. There would be no room for GBV or violence of any kind in individuals and societies if they were filled with beauty. And art is the craft of beauty. Many times in my creative process I am driven by visual metaphors that can explain complex problems or propose solutions to the problems I witness. In that sense, art can be a very powerful tool to provoke change in humankind. I am happy to have found The Embrace Project as an exciting way to put my art to the service of the fight against GBV.

Cristy Zinn

I am passionate about this cause because I believe every single human has an intrinsic worth that should never be diminished by another human's violence towards them. And I love the idea of being able to support an organisation that helps women and children remember their worth.

Suzanne Hourigan

My hope is for every woman and child in our country to feel secure and protected, to live in a society where women feel empowered rather than silenced. The Embrace Project and the cause it supports is exceptionally close to my heart, and I am so excited to be able contribute to through my creations.

Bevlee Michel

GBV - Gender  based Violence Is one of the biggest demons plaguing our society today. I feel  this problem needs urgent  and immediate attention. I am blown away by the young women who are so passionately and professionally devoting their time and energy into the “Embrace Project” which helps to fund organisations who work towards eradicating GBV. This organisation will  empower and educate young women to better arm themselves against attacks of any nature including  sexual or emotional abuse .

By contributing to  the  Embrace project ,  we will help them to better educate and empower young women  and by doing so we will hopefully lessen the future domino effect of abuse in future generations . Stopping GENDER BASED VIOLENCE is  long overdue.  Every little donation can help to support and fund this brilliant organisation to do their brilliant , relevant and much needed work.

Megan Marx

My name is Megan Marx and I am a digital artist and designer from Pretoria South Africa. The Embrace Project spoke to me specifically because I grew up in a family of only women- and I watched everyday how my mother and grandmother worked tirelessly to raise my sister and I. I know that there are women everywhere in this country, who I wish would be loved, celebrated and respected the way they deserve to be. The women in this country are too, my sisters, and it breaks my heart to see what is happening in our country as we speak. I would love absolutely nothing more, than to contribute in whatever way I can, and I felt that taking part in The Embrace Project was a great way for me to show my passion for this cause, and join the fight against gender based violence.

Nell-Louise Pollock

UNdemanded, UNdeserved, UNinvited, UNprompted, UNsought. I am the victim of Gender Vased Violence. For years I felt UNcetrain, UNclear and UNimportant. During my recovery from PTSD embroidering became my voice, until I could stand up and claim my place as survivor, artist and craftivist. With every stitch I give recognition to women who bear the physical and emotional brunt of UNderserved cruelty. I UNderstand.