The Parlotones to summit Kilimanjaro

Johannesburg - Only women could convince South African rock band The Parlotones to exchange their skinny jeans for walking shoes and take on Kilimanjaro.

Women's rights, to be exact.

The group will climb the mountain in early March along with other celebrities, such as former Namibian athlete Frankie Fredericks, the Egyptian actor Amr Waked and Barbara Kanam, a singer from Central Africa.

It forms part of a giant African initiative under the banner of Africa-UNiTE called "Speak Out Climb Up".

'A huge challenge'

In South Africa a woman is killed by her partner every six hours and in many African countries, sexual abuse and rape by a partner is not a criminal offence.

Kahn Morbee, lead singer of The Parlotones, said the cause immediately resonated with the band.

"I can't believe that these things still happen in the enlightened age we live in.

"It's definitely going to be something unusual for us and a huge challenge, but The Parlotones also have the ability to send out a strong message and therefore we would like to join this initiative."

The purpose of the trip is to foster awareness of the inhumane burden that rests on the shoulders of African women and girls, said Agnes Phiri of UN Women in Johannesburg.