March is Human Rights Month and is commemorated to remind South Africans about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for democracy.

ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa Care Centre showered with accolades

To celebrate this month, Bertha Gxowa Care Centre, together with other stakeholders in Germiston, visited Dukathole on March 16 to conduct a door-to-door campaign.

The aim was to talk to the community about gender-based violence and other social ills such as substance abuse.

“We saw a need to educate the community about these issues as some of their rights are being violated because they don’t know their rights,” said sister Hazel Moagi, the hospital operational manager.

“With all these different stakeholders on board, we shared valuable information, especially that the community can raise issues with the relevant departments.”

She said door-to-door campaigns are important, as you connect with the community and see the challenges first-hand.

ALSO READ: World Aids Day marked at Bertha Gxowa Hospital

“We allow the community to speak to us and share their problems.

“We then provide information and refer those with problems and needs to relevant departments and organisations. In this way, they will receive the help they need from the right people,” said Moagi.

The outreach also saw an HIV testing station set up at the Dukathole taxi rank.

Ward 35 Clr Ntuthuzeli Mpambani said he was pleased to see different stakeholders in the ward to provide education and assistance.

ALSO READ: Bertha Gxowa surgeon set to compete for Miss International in Japan

“We have several challenges in our ward, including unemployment, poverty, and crime.

“These social ills and challenges cause problems for the community and they sometimes don’t even know to whom or where to go.

“But if they receive information, they will know there are places they can go to get help,” said Mpambani.