I'm not a politician, a police officer, or a security expert. I'm simply a South African woman who is tired of watching women be told to change the way we live in order to stay safe. When the ninth woman’s body was found in Ekurhuleni, I kept thinking: what can we actually do right now to prevent such tragedies? This question led me to the idea of "Safe Stop" a solution that could save lives by making petrol stations a refuge for women in need, a proposal that is urgent for the safety of all women in South Africa.

In our country, violence against women is a real and present danger, and recent statistics only highlight the severity of the situation: South Africa is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women. Petrol stations, open around the clock, are numerous and dispersed across urban and rural areas alike, making them ideal for transformation into safe havens.

The need is clear, and the solution is achievable. By training petrol station staff in emergency response and conflict de-escalation, installing panic buttons, and ensuring constant CCTV surveillance, we can make these locations secure for women seeking immediate protection. Additionally, partnerships with local police and security services could ensure a rapid response in case of emergencies, vastly increasing the safety net for women on the move.

We cannot ask women to change the way they live to avoid violence; instead, we must take action to transform our public spaces into zones of safety. By signing this petition, we aim to urge government officials and petrol station owners across South Africa to endorse and implement the "Safe Stop" initiative. Together, we can create a safer environment for all and support women's fundamental right to safety, while setting a precedent for the rest of the world to follow.

Please sign this petition to demand change and ensure that petrol stations become places where every woman can feel safe and secure.