POWA speaks out about SA’s second pandemic – GBV
The women's rights organisation urged citizens to break the silence in creating a safe society that does not tolerate violence against women and girls.
People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) is focused on its efforts to respond to gender-based violence (GBV) hitting the nation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has referred to the violence against women and girls as a second pandemic raging in the country.
The women’s rights organisation urged citizens to break the silence in creating a safe society that does not tolerate violence against women and girls.
According to Joan Hlako, POWA’s chief social worker, the organisation has acknowledged the #EndGBV movement to create increased awareness.
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“Domestic violence is the second pandemic in South Africa and has resulted in more NGOs operating to try to curb the surge of it.
“POWA empowers and educates survivors of domestic violence through frontline services such as free professional services like face-to-face counselling, telephone counselling, outreach work including presentations, awareness campaigns and GBV training and workshops. We refer survivors to get relevant assistance in case POWA doesn’t have the required expertise.
“All POWA services are free of charge.
“POWA does not offer financial assistance, but if the funds are available, there are skills development programmes that survivors of domestic violence attend to assist them to generate extra income for survival such as bead and fleece blanket making,” said Hlako.
“POWA services since lockdown level three were operational and in lockdown level four and five we were assisting survivors through telephone counselling, emails and on Facebook. Shelters continued to accommodate abused women and children and still are.”
POWA has six offices in Johannesburg, namely Berea, Evaton, Soweto, Vosloorus, Katlehong and Thembisa.
At these facilities, the organisation provides telephonic and face-to-face counselling.
“We offer telephonic counselling to women throughout the country and people can also receive counselling through emailing counselling@powa.co.za.
“POWA reaches victims who do not have access to their information through the outreach programmes that are conducted within communities, through social media and through radio and newspaper interviews.”
Hlako said POWA is affiliated with various companies.
JOKO Tea partnered with POWA to help #EndDomesticSilence by donating R1 from every Joko 100s pack sold to POWA.
For more information contact POWA on 011 642 4345/6, fax 011 484 3195 or email on info@powa.co.za
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