SA girl warrior takes fight to Oz

21 August 2014 - 02:03 By Rea Khoabane
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LOCAL HERO: Annabel Fenton will represent South Africa at the G(irls)20 summit in Australia
LOCAL HERO: Annabel Fenton will represent South Africa at the G(irls)20 summit in Australia
Image: BURSON-MARSTELLER

A grade 12 pupil at Parktown High School for Girls is heading to Australia to represent South Africa at the G(irls)20 summit.

Annabel Fenton, 18, was one of 24 girls selected from around the world to discuss how to empower girls and women in their home countries.

Last year, Fenton launched the "Rape is APE" campaign which has raised more than R137 000 for the Home of Hope in Johannesburg, which shelters exploited girls.

The campaign is based on three principles: Avoid violence against women; Persevere to help yourself and others as a survivor of rape and Evolve as a society to empower women - hence the acronym APE.

Fenton said she was inspired to do something after Anene Booyson's rape and murder in Bredasdorp, Western Cape, last year.

Fenton said: "I was quite moved by the incident when we started the campaign and now we've started rolling it out to other schools, such as Greenside High, and hope to go bigger and better."

Fenton said being raised by a single mother galvanised her social activism.

"Having my father leave my mother when I was young made me see what strong women look like.

"I feel more of these strong women need to be represented in South Africa," said Fenton.

She said women need to realise their own worth.

G(irls)20's purpose is to bring together young women from each G20 country and offer them mentorship and leadership skills so they can be more successful in their careers, personal lives and communities.

The G(irls)20 summit will be held in Australia from August 25 to 26.

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