September is Deaf Awareness Month, which is also part of the International Week for the Deaf and is aimed at commemorating the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf, which took place in September 1951. Deaf Awareness Month is commemorated through the Annual #SilentWalk&Run, a family event intended to invite members of the hearing community to participate in the walk or run for them to gain a better understanding of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community’s daily lives. Since its inception in 2016, the #SilentWalk&Run has seen a yearly increase in participation and awareness of the Deaf community, as well as education about Deafness. The annual #SilentWalk&Run hosts several activities alongside the fun walk and run, such as Deaf Tennis, Silent Yoga, Silent Aerobics, Kids Play Area, Stage Zone and many more activities. Proceeds from the entries from the walk and run go towards the Neema Foundation for the Deaf, which assists Deaf Victims of domestic violence and raise awareness on the importance of everyone learning SA Sign Language. This includes educating people about the rights of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing and recognising talent amongst the hearing impaired. Make South Africa aware of the need for Deaf social inclusion.
This year’s 8th Annual #SilentWalk&Run2024 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Marks Park in Johannesburg, Emmarentia. To get your tickets for this #SilentWalk&Run click on the link below:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1545203388
Or
Download Event Poster for more information on link below:
Neema Foundation for the Deaf hosts Family Conflict Resolution Workshops and Gender-based Violence Workshops to enhance the understanding of participants on issues of gender, rights, equality and gender-based violence including helping families and couples resolve issues to avoid violence against women and children. The campaigns’ aim is to raise awareness of the negative impact that gender-based violence in Deaf Communities have on women and children and to rid society of violence and abuse permanently. These workshop objectives are to identify and differentiate the types of gender based violence in Deaf homes and further to determine the effects of gender-based violence on health, development and education for the participants. Women, youth and children are generally vulnerable within South Africa, this is significantly worse when they are Deaf or hard-of-hearing. Neema Foundation provides Deaf GBV Support Services for abused Deaf women, youth and children as well as awareness around Gender Based Violence (GBV) and education about their rights. Awareness Programmes have the potential to contribute to systemic change through increased awareness and support of Deaf and hard-of-hearing victims, encourage safety within homes and also inform them on how to seek help.