“My fellow men, let’s keep our valuables in our trousers and use them for the good of humanity. Yes, I mean our wallets.” These are the words of Ronny Rammutla, co-founder of Men Against Prostitution and Trafficking of Women (MAPTOW), which advocates for the Equality Model. He was urging men to forge a united front against ‘sexpreneurs’ by signing the Coalition of Abolition of Prostitution in Africa (CAPA) Charter during Women’s Month in August.
Ronny co-founded MAPTOW in early 2018 along with Jeremy Routledge, deputy director of Embrace Dignity. MAPTOW is a founder signatory to the CAPA Charter, launched in Cape Town on June 2019.
“No nation can be free until its women are free,” he adds. “South African women and girl-children are still trapped in poverty, and prostitution will never be a sustainable or life-affirming solution to this poverty. Prostitution is, in fact, a form of oppression in itself,” says Ronny (pictured).
MAPTOW stands firm against the decriminalization of men who buy sex and those who sell women and girls for sex. It is the demand that pushes trafficking and/or what you would call supply. The association opposes bail for any man accused of violating women’s rights.
“It truly boggles the mind, the degree to which South African men are in denial about the impact of the system of prostitution and their role in the patriarchal system responsible for putting women there in the first place.
This story is from the Issue 279 edition of Big Issue.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 279 edition of Big Issue.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Visit The ‘Seaside Circus'
There’s a new art activation on the prom …
SA's Food Capture?
While the debate rages on over glyphosate-based herbicides, farmers are spraying the chemical all over the world
Design That Uplifts, Delight Intrigues
A collaboration with Southern Guild at the Silo District in Cape Town showcases designer Rich Mnisi’s first solo exhibition, titled Nyoka, on show from 2 October 2021 through to 4 February 2022. Designed to reach out and inspire.
Why Kaaps Language Dictionary Matters!
The first-ever dictionary of South Africa’s Kaaps language has launched. Why it matters …
Hungry, And Tired
This charity has been feeding Cape Town’s hungry for more than 80 years. Never have so many people queued for food.
Life's Ups And Downs
Feeling burnt out? Clinical Psychologist and Business Director at The Human Edge, Helene Vermaak, gives some grounded self-care advice for anyone feeling overstressed or depleted.
WHAT'S ON?
Get out and about under the spring sun, or enjoy entertainment online from the comfort of your couch …
SPACE TO REFLECT
When former Big Issue editor, Alicia English, lost her husband to Covid-19 earlier this year, she and her son discovered a novel way to process overwhelming, difficult feelings.
INSPIRATIONAL READING
Whether you tap, turn pages or listen to audiobooks, an inspirational read can help you relax and see the world differently.
Rough sleeping
“Winters are the worst nightmare for us,” says a homeless man in Springs. Temperatures dropped to minus 7º C recently.
