16 days of anti-abuse awareness kick off in Umbilo

THE 16 Days of Activism against Women and Child Abuse kicked off in Umbilo and events are planned for each day of the campaign.

The 16 Days campaign started on Wednesday, 25 November with a motorcade from Umbilo SAPS, with representatives from the executive CPF, sub-forums one, two and three, police, security companies, Metro Police, HOLAH and the Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre.

The motorcade moved through the area, sending out the message of 16 Days.

Heather Roos, chairperson of the CPF, said items had been planned for each day of the campaign, however they are subject to change.

She said on 26 November, there would be a gender-based violence awareness talk at Dalton Hostel, where items such as gender violence, human trafficking and places of safety will be addressed.

“There will be awareness campaigns in the area, where pamphlets will be handed out and police guest speakers will address the community. The first will be on 27 November at Berea Centre. There has also been a call-out to local churches to speak about this issue at their services,” she said.

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Roos was proud to report that on 29 November from 3pm to 6pm, an all-women team would be going out to patrol the community along with the Bulwer Safety and Urban Regeneration (BSURF) team.

“We are going out to show a force of women against crime and abuse in the community,” she said. People can join by contacting Heather on 062 267 6535.

On 30 November, sector three sub-forum will host a toy drive for underprivileged children.

Anyone who wants to donate toys can contact Sera on 084 400 3811.
On 1 December BSURF will host an awareness campaign at Davenport Square along with its partners, and on 2 December the CPF and stakeholders will give a talk at Lazarus House in Umbilo.

“There will be another awareness campaign on 4 and 8 December and there will be talks on gender violence on 5 December. On 7 December, there will be a talk at the Hop Shop in Helen Joseph Road on the baby safe installed there,” said Roos, adding that BSURF and National Security would also host a talk on domestic violence and safety for domestic workers and gardeners, however the date was to be confirmed.

Roos said the campaign will close with another motorcade on 10 December.

“We hope people will support our efforts, and take the message home and into the community to stop abuse of women and children,” she said.

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