GBV survivor hosts awareness campaign

Concerned about the increasing cases of sexual harassment, rape and other forms of violence against women, Kokesto Mbathani organised a GBV talk in Daveyton on March 20 to encourage women to speak out.

The event, which was held at Lashka Lifestyle Bar in Daveyton and attended by social workers from Kids Haven, iThemba Rape And Trauma Support Centre and GBV survivors.
Attendees dressed in black and wore red lipstick as a symbol of mourning for women who have lost their lives to GBV.

Mbathani, who is also a GBV survivor, said after realising the increased cases of women being abused by their partners, she decided to host the informative talk so that women could speak openly to each other about their experiences.

One of the speakers, Tebogo Moeketsi of Kids Haven, said violence against women has become normal in communities.

“One of the many consequences of GBV is poverty, which leads to a woman being highly dependent on a man.

“Dependent women tend to accept the violence against them because they don’t have other alternatives but to stay with the perpetrator because he is supporting them.

“Another challenge women face is keeping quiet and not reporting the matter to the police.

“We highlight GBV through events, marches and awareness campaigns but people still do not report. Is it because they don’t want to report it? Perhaps, it is because some do not know how to report it or are victimised when they report it,” said Moeketsi.

Another speaker, Emily Malomane of iThemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre, said people still believe that GBV runs in families, but this is not true.

“We get people who say because their grandmothers or mothers were victims, they have automatically also become victims.”

Winnie Sibiloane, also a GBV survivor, said she was abused in her marriage and although it was difficult, she eventually left and returned home.

“When I left my marriage, some people joked about it but I decided to not dwell on their negative reactions because, for me, it was an achievement.

“Before filing for divorce, I was afraid of losing everything.

“Whenever I wanted to report the abuse to the police, I couldn’t because I thought of my children.

“While married, I didn’t have a social life, and I was unhappy.

“The day I decide to leave was the day my daughter lost some of her teeth while attempting to save me from my husband while he was violating me. I urge women to speak out before things get worse,” said Sibiloane.

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