DOORS OPEN FOR WOMEN WHO FEEL UNSAFE

New initiatives offer support and security in dangerous times

There’s a new movement afoot across SA that is putting women’s safety first, glimmers of hope to come out of a devastating past few weeks, when several cases of gender violence have led to fierce protests across country. Now, two separate initiatives are each doing their share to assist: one involving businesses offering women a place of safety; the other a cab company that will have only women drivers for only women (and child) passengers.

The first arose from a Facebook post last week on the official page of the Raptor Room, a restaurant in Zonnebloem, Cape Town.

Expressing solidarity with victims of gender-based violence, the restaurant announced itself as a no-questions-asked haven from situations in which people feel threatened.

“As a business that is owned by womxn [a term that explicitly includes transgender women] and staffed by 80% womxn … we want to take this opportunity to say: If you are ever walking in the street close to us and you feel unsafe, just come inside. You don’t need to buy anything.

“If you need to walk to your car alone, ask us to walk with you to make sure you are safe. If you are ever in our space and you don’t feel safe, please tell us. We are tired, but we are strong. And we will fight.”

The invitation inspired a hashtag, #comein, which has seen several restaurants across the country joining in — including LaMouette in Sea Point; ubrestaurant in Green Point; Saigon Suzy in Parkwood, Cotton Lounge in Bryanston, and Doppio Zero countrywide.

By this week, it had extended to other businesses, including a car dealership in Klerksdorp, called EB Motors.

There’s also a new ride-hailing service coming to Cape Town, which will offer a male-free zone for the peace of mind of both drivers and customers.

ChaufHer says both will have to go through a strict vetting process — either signing on to drive or to register as a user — and both drivers and passengers will have access to an SOS button on the app, along with other safety features.

The service will launch in Cape Town first, and then Johannesburg, though no launch date has been set. See chaufher.com.