Kids Haven turns the tide on GBV

Kids Haven’s pre-care team is empowering the youth to put an end to GBV.

For the second consecutive year, the organisation has identified 75 girls, aged between 12 and 18, to form part of its six-month GVB-prevention project.

The girls from Emandleni, Benoni, Windmill Park and Boksburg form part of weekly meetings, where topics of domestic violence are discussed, in a safe and caring environment.

“We have all seen harrowing stories of violence perpetrated against women and children. We have all raised our opinions and in some cases, attended marches. Our team believes that to tip the scales on abuse, we need to work with the youth,” said Mabel Jiyane of Kids Haven.

“Domestic abuse and violence are caused by indoctrinated and generational beliefs regarding gender roles.

“These beliefs will not be broken if we only focus on adults. We need to work with the kids if we have any hope of ending this cycle of abuse.”

ALSO READ: Kids Haven creates a space for teens

According to Jiyane, the project not only focuses on abuse but is also centred around the principle of creating and fostering healthy relationships.

Each participant receives an informative booklet containing all the information covered in the course as well as the contact details of organisations committed to assisting victims.

“Domestic violence has been normalised for far too long. Boys are taught from a young age that they must be tough, this is a lot of pressure for a young child,” she said.

“Our aim is not only to give girls a voice but to also teach them that healthy relationships are built on mutual respect and dual responsibility.”

The programme is set to soon include boys.

“We need to work with the boys in our community too,” she said.

“We want to allow them the space to accept that they do not have to take up the traditional role of a man but that being a nurturer is one of the fundamental building blocks of the relationship.”

ALSO READ: Putfontein SAPS initiates conversation among women to end GBV