Phoenix Child Welfare launches 'Red Chair Campaign' against gender-based violence

AIMED at making a significant impact in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV), the Phoenix Child Welfare launched its “Red Chair Campaign” on Tuesday. 

Aroona Chetty, director of the Phoenix Child Welfare, said the campaign, which is in collaboration with key community stakeholders, is a powerful call to action and a solemn reminder of the women whose lives were stolen by abusive partners. 

“Each empty red chair stands as a stark, haunting symbol of a life lost; a mother, daughter, sister, or friend silenced by GBV. The campaign

represents a united declaration from the community that not on our watch will we allow this crisis to continue unchecked.”

Chetty said the campaign comes at a critical moment for South Africa, where GBV remains one of the most severe and rapidly escalating human rights issues.

She said national crime reports continue to show devastating trends, with over 10 000 women reporting sexual offences in a single quarter, and at least three women killed by their intimate partners every day. 

“In communities like Phoenix, the crisis is even more visible and deeply felt. Social workers are witnessing a troubling rise in severe domestic violence cases, emergency protection orders, threats to life, and incidents where women and children flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs.”

Chetty added that the welfare’s local partners report that children are increasingly being exposed to violence in the home, compounding trauma and creating cycles of fear that can last a lifetime.

“Homes once filled with warmth are now marked by broken trust, and families already socially and economically strained are being pushed to breaking point.”

Chetty said that GBV is not only a national tragedy but a deeply personal community emergency. 

“It is mirrored in the stories of the women and children who walk through its doors every day -frightened, bruised, displaced, and searching for safety. The campaign aims to confront silence with solidarity, denial with truth, and apathy with action. It calls on the community to not only remember the women who have died, but to fiercely protect the women and children who are still alive and fighting.

“Each red chair represents a woman who should still be alive today. These are mothers who will never walk their children to school again, daughters who will never fulfil their dreams, and sisters whose families now live with heartbreak. 

“We refuse to accept these losses as normal. Through this campaign, we stand together and say that every life matters and as a community, we must act with courage and urgency to stop the violence,” she said.

Chetty added that the campaign calls on individuals, families, schools, religious institutions, and community organisations, among others, to become active agents of change. 

“This can be done by reporting abuse, supporting survivors, challenging harmful norms, and speaking out when silence could cost a life.

“The welfare reaffirms its commitment to protection, advocacy, and healing, ensuring that survivors are not alone and that prevention remains at the heart of its work,” she said. 

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