A coalition of social justice organisations donated 482 handbags to Lifeline to help victims of abuse and gender-based violence.
Lifeline is a counselling service that provides free 24-hour assistance to people dealing with physical and psychological trauma.
The Helpful Handbags programme was started by lawyer, Nileshthra Padayachee, as a way to support women, who are victims of abuse, with sanitary items.
“Initially when I started this initiative I had 50 bags but now we have over 480 and I am so grateful for the support,” said Padayachee.
Each bag contains donated items like sanitary pads, deodorant, toothbrushes and other everyday use items.
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“Working with domestic violence victims and knowing what a difference this is going to make for these ladies makes it really worth it.”
The Active Citizens Movement, Durban Socialites and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) participated in this initiative.
“We feel we have to help our community, especially after the scourge of Coronavirus that coincided with the scourge of GBV,” said Raj Badal, chairman of NADEL.
Police Minister, Bheki Cele, noted earlier this year that there was a noticeable spike in calls to abuse hotlines during the country’s hard lockdown levels.
“Not enough is being done (to fight GBV). We must eradicate it from society, it is not part of our culture, this is something that is alien to us. We must lock people up and teach them a lesson,” said Badal.
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Sibongiseni Ngcobo, project officer for Durban Lifeline’s GBV programme expressed his gratitude.
“Whenever someone has been abused they feel dirty or worthless so the moment you give them comfort packs, you are showing them they are worthy.
“It brings a smile to their faces because the first things they want to do is change their clothes and smell fresh,” she said.
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