Cool2BeKind partners with like-minded NPO on gender-based violence

A new partnership between two non-governmental organisations is set to raise awareness about gender-based violence and racial and cyberbullying.

The Cool2BeKind project was launched by non-governmental organisation Kidz2Kidz which was established in 2012. They now have a new partnership with non-profit organisation, StandUnitedSA which allows people who visit their website to report incidents of gender-based violence or obtain facts about gender-based violence.

Megon Schutte and her husband Ryno founded StandUnited SA after seeing the terrible impact that gender-based violence and bullying had on the community.

Samantha Heald, national coordinator for Cool2BeKind and Fourways resident said throughout the months of May and June, Cool2BeKind had hosted free webinar sessions which covered the topics of bullying and bystander effect for educators, social workers and mental health professionals.

“Cathy Heaton, Ace Models Johannesburg North director, was one of our speakers at the cyberbullying talk. She introduced the Cool2BeKind team to StandUnitedSA,” said Heald.

She added that both organisations were dedicated to raising awareness and empowering women and children to end bullying in all forms, and the impact it had on young men and boys must be brought to the spotlight.”The Cool2beKind vision is to end the myth that bullying is a normal part of childhood development. Gender-based violence is a form of intimate partner violence and bullying that is perpetrated by men on women, men on children and men on other men in homes and communities across South Africa.

“Gender-based violence continues as the use of violence is normalised as a means to dominate.”

The partnership of StandUnitedSA and Cool2BeKind aims to stand together to end the silence of others’ suffering in the communities they each represent.”Workshops are across all grades in schools and Cool2beKind trains educators, social workers and ambassadors who are passionate to join us in ending the myth that bullying is a normal part of childhood development.”

Members of the public have been encouraged to get involved in the initiative by speaking out against any forms of gender-based violence and bullying.”StandUnitedSA is looking for corporates and businesses to pledge their support. Our needs are for any specialised services willing to donate time, finances or resources in the fight against gender-based violence.”