CoE takes stance against GBV
Ngodwana also pointed out that the biggest mistake that people normally make is to focus on women and children during the campaign and overlook men.
Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Sivuyile Ngodwana has made a passionate plea to South Africans to dedicate 365 days to the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
Speaking during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in Germiston on Saturday, the first citizen of Ekurhuleni said, “There is no doubt that the scourge of GBV continues to be a major societal problem that needs the attention of all of us.”
The CoE launched this year’s 16 Days campaign with a 5km and 8km awareness walk through the streets of Germiston.
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“We have a problem of GBV, and we cannot just pay attention to this problem only during this time of the year,” said Ngodwana.
“Every day a woman is abused and therefore this calls for a daily programme of activism against GBV, especially in a country where the justice department deals with no less than 50 000 cases related to GBV and almost 1 000 murder cases a year.”
He added that the success of the campaign can only be achieved when all stakeholders work closely together.
“The high rate of GBV continues to place a heavy burden on the health and criminal justice system, as well as rendering many survivors unable to work or move freely in society, and this cannot be allowed to continue.”
Meanwhile, Ngodwana also pointed out that the biggest mistake that people normally make is to focus on women and children during the campaign and overlook men.
“This is not right because men have a critical role to play in the campaign, both as a victim and also as perpetrator.”
Understanding that charity begins at home, the city’s Men’s’ Forum is playing a critical role in encouraging male employees to get involved in the campaign.
The forum’s main objective is to encourage men to understand the different forms of abuse, expose them and speak out against them.
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Robert Sambo, the Men’s Forum chairperson, said the forum focuses on diverse programmes like psychosocial support to all affected while motivating men to engage, and inspire each other to be examples of change in their communities.
This also includes creating an environment for men to speak up when they too experience abuse.
Other social services offered by the city as part of the fight against GBV includes:
• Couples counselling
• Family preservation and counselling service
• Individual counselling
• Shelter placements
• Victim empowerment counselling
The shelter placement aspect of the service follows thorough assessment of the victim’s living condition, and upon mutual agreement the victim is put in a place of safety that would be a shelter.
