We are petitioning the Department of Home Affairs to amend the wedding vows/wedding formulas currently being used in their offices and by marriage officers to include an acknowledgement from the Groom “To love, protect and NEVER ABUSE” his Bride.

1 in 3 women will experience abuse at the hands of their intimate partners. In South Africa, that abuse culminates into a woman being killed every 4 hours. Most women killed in South Africa are killed by their partners or ex-partners and many of them suffer months or years of domestic abuse before their deaths.

The fact that a woman is most likely to be abused or killed by her long term partner gives new meaning to the current wedding vows that end with “until death do us part”.

Proclaiming this vow publicly before witnesses and loved ones will hold men accountable and ensure that there is #NoExcuse for violence of any kind. The acknowledgement to never abuse in the vows is a recognition that the strength of a man should rather be used to build, to nurture and to love. The vow would equally empower anyone close to the couple to intervene if there ever was an incident or the threat of violence in the relationship.

The South African Men’s Sector have joined us in this plea, we are asking you to join us as well.

Sign this petition to the Department of Home Affairs to take action against Gender Based Violence by amending the wedding vows approved by the department.