But tourists who wish to make the journey have to seek special permission to cross through an Israeli military checkpoint at the entrance to the West Bank. The town's mayor, Hanna Nasser, a Roman Catholic, does not believe the situation will improve before Christmas. Tourists had cancelled their visits and were no longer coming to Bethlehem, he said. The protest, which coincided with the International Day for Prevention of Violence against Women, enabled men to show their solidarity by joining the initiative. The Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane, led the march and urged the men to show the world that it is only a small minority who are holding Cape Town's women and children hostage.
Statistics show that one in six men use violence against women in South Africa.
Money collected from donations by the male marchers will be handed over to three local women's shelters.