Memeza distributes alarms to eradicate GBV and crime
The programme is made possible through a five-year funded programme by the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation in partnership with public and private organisations.
Hundreds of women from Daveyton are now owners of personal alarms, which seek to reduce and prevent crimes perpetuated against women.
The women received these devices, which make a sound of 140 decibels, during the Memeza GBV Reduction and Prevention Programme launch on August 24 at Victor Ndlazilwane Hall.
Attending the launch was the Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale; Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane and representatives from various organisations dealing with gender-based violence (GBV).
The programme is made possible through a five-year funded programme by the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation in partnership with public and private organisations.
They distributed about 1 500 alarms during the event. Memeza is also installing home alarms in various shelters in Daveyton.
Speaking during the launch, Memeza director Thuli Mthethwa said Daveyton is the first community to benefit from this five-year national GBV intervention programme.
“We believe Daveyton will witness a decrease in crime and acts of gender-based violence through implementing the systemic buttons. These buttons will assist individuals in seeking help swiftly. The project pledges to protect vulnerable groups and uphold the national development plan by paying attention to quarterly statistics and crime hotspots,” said Mthethwa.
Mathale urged residents to work with the police and social workers to fight crime.
“The programme coincides with the BRICS summit, which lays the foundation to grow our economy so it can become beneficial to all South Africans.”
Mathale emphasised crime will cease to exist if they address issues such as unemployment and poverty, as most GBV incidences are by men who take out their frustrations on women and children.
Bogopane said they found the alarms have reduced the number of children that could have been orphans.
“Since this programme started in 2016, we have distributed these alarms to doctors, school girls in rural areas who walk long distances to school, nurses and victim empowerment shelters,” said Bogopane.
She encouraged attendees to report incidences of domestic violence. Bogopane also addressed burning issues from NPOs, who raised their grievances regarding the department’s budget cuts. Because of the demand for questions, she promised to host another meeting with local organisations.
On behalf of the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, the Daveyton Mall FNB branch manager, Sam Hlambela, said it thrilled them to be part of the programme because they belong to the community.
“As FNB, we are part and parcel of Memeza to help eradicate GBV. We will walk this journey together until we get to a point where a girl child is not afraid to walk around without feeling unsafe,” said Hlambela.
CPF Gauteng chairperson Thokozani Masilela urged men to protect women and children by playing their part in curbing violence.
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