Local brigades focus on the impact of GBV in society
Brigades speak with residents, they unearth cases that would have otherwise gone unreported.
Gender-based violence continues to be a challenge in communities and efforts are made by law enforcement and NGOs to offer support and assistance.
The impact of GBV is both immediate and long-term and affects not only the victims but also those around them.
GCN spoke to GBV brigades from Wards 39, 93 and 36 about the role they play in the community.
These brigades form part of a community safety programme in response to violence against women and children.
The brigades are the frontline workers in the fight against GBV.
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“Our job is to educate people and assist law enforcement to ensure that there is a reduction in GBV. Our mission is to offer support,” said Qinisile Nyawo who serves Ward 39.
She believes working on the ground with the community plays a vital role.
“People can recognise us by our orange bibs and we aim to educate women inside their homes – women and children are the most vulnerable,” said Nyawo.
“We find women who defend their abusers because they are the main providers and they are scared if they acknowledge that they are being abused they will lose that.
“Sometimes families are embarrassed to talk about the abuse and tell the victim to keep quiet,” said Nyawo.
Susan Dlamini, who is based in Ward 93, said support is still needed to assist women in coming out of these abusive relationships.
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“Some women don’t have any skills or don’t even know what to do to earn money to survive. This makes them dependent on the abuser.
“More skill development is needed to encourage women to stand on their own,” said Dlamini.
Sindisiwe Zwane, from Ward 93, urges the community to intervene when they witness GBV.
“We engage with the community at grassroots and thus we are easily accessible. We often discover these cases while out in the field,” said Zwane.
