GBV awareness campaign hosted in Diepsloot

The City of Joburg and Joburg City Parks and Zoo hosted a gender-based violence awareness campaign, in Diepsloot Park on March 24.

The campaign aims to raise awareness on issues around gender-based violence and the stigma that surrounds it while also emphasising the services available to the victims and where they can receive help.

Social development, police and health department representatives, among others, were involved in the campaign.

MMC for Community Development Ronald Harris said, “The main reason why we are having this gender-based violence programme in the middle of the year is just to reiterate and remind ourselves, especially men to be the protectors and nurturers of our women and children. Please go for counselling if you are challenged and feel driven toward that wrong decision. Seek counselling, the facilities and options are available in the City of Johannesburg.”

Sister Nelly Shongwe, a representative from the City of Joburg Department of Health informed the crowd of a plan to build a medical forensic centre at OR Tambo in the 2022/2023 financial year. She also shared why she feels this awareness campaign is important, “It’s crucially important, simply because through awareness you start making people aware that this is a reality and it doesn’t help to die quietly where ever you are.”

The campaign ended on a fun note with performances from the Ikemeleng Youth Foundation and many more.