SAfricans don stilettos in support of abused women

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 25 (Reuters) About 1,000 women and a few men teetered in stilettos through a Johannesburg suburb today in a demonstration symbolising the pain suffered by battered women and children in South Africa.

The 3 km (1.8 miles) ''Sisters with Blisters'' walk in high-heeled shoes was to draw attention to the plight of victims of rampant levels of violence partly blamed on macho attitudes, poverty and a violent society.

There were some 55,000 case of rape reported to South African police last year and many more victims are said not to notify authorities.

''It is a little bit of pain to gain some awareness,'' said Lulu Ndevu, of the local radio station and sponsor, Jacaranda.

A few marchers paused briefly to shake their feet or wrap band-aids around bloody toes. At the finishing line they were treated to foot massages, spa vouchers and the grand prize was a 95,000 rand (,250) shoe-shopping spree to New York City.

''It's abusing yourself for women who suffer, except this is self-inflicted,'' said Albert Lotter, 25, hunched and hobbling in size-10 turquoise pumps.

The UN Committee Against Torture expressed concern this week at ''widespread'' acts of violence against women and children in South Africa, particularly rape and domestic violence.

Health activists say violence against females also fuels the AIDS epidemic in a country with one of the highest caseloads -- about 5.5 million are infected in a population of 45 million.

REUTERS PDM BD1740