SPRINGS - Gauteng Health MEC Faith Mazibuko has urged women to break the silence around abuse.
Speaking at Dineo Motapane's funeral earlier, Mazibuko said women must stand together and speak out against violence.
She also called on men to take a stand against the abuse of women and children.
Motapane is one of the nine women murdered recently in Ekurhuleni.
"We wish to call upon each and every one of us as women. Let us break the silence. Stand up against abuse. Talk about abuse. Stand up as women. Talk to one another. Let's encourage one another.
"Let us not allow another woman to be bullied to die in silence. It is up to all of us. It is up to us. We call upon all men now. Stand up, madoda sabelani. It can't be right that women are dying in front of you or in your hands. You can't abuse a woman. You can't abuse a child. Women's lives matter. Women's rights are human rights."