Gender-based violence (GBV) victims go through unjustifiable brutality and are often forced to find safety at safe havens.
An example of men taking accountability is Owami Jackson (23), who has taken it upon himself to volunteer at safe havens with GBV victims.
The Klopperpark resident has been collecting donations of toiletries, clothes, sanitary pads and food for Mercy Haven and other women’s shelters.
He will be delivering all the collected parcels on Women’s Day.
Maria Pereira, the centre manager of Mercy Haven, said the toiletries will make the women feel special.
“The parcels will help the women after they have left the centre and it will give them a good head start.”
Maria added the haven does not need food.
“We are privileged that we are provided for in that sense and we have our own fund for food.
“We have just renovated our bathrooms and we would like to give each lady their own towel. We also need paint because we have renovated and would like to paint the ceiling and doors. This we would really appreciate,” said Maria.
Owami said the reason he is helping is because he wants to be a part of the change that ends systematic GBV.
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“Every case I read or hear about always hits home. I live with my mother and my little sister, so knowing about these incidents affect me.”
The young volunteer works as a break bulk agent for a freight forwarding company.
“I grew up in different places, but a good chunk of my childhood was lived in Kensington, Johannesburg. I later moved when I started high school to Klopperpark, Germiston. This is where I found my friends, influences and culture.”
Owami said the bigger goal is to see a lot more men taking accountability for GBV.
“We need harsher prosecutions, more initiatives to protect women and the systematic crippling of GBV. Men don’t have the luxury to shy away from reporting or acknowledging GBV.
“Every second we shy away another women or girl is raped, beaten, murdered or trafficked. We have to draw a line in the sand and stand earnestly behind it.”
Owami spoke about the challenges of having the drive during lockdown.
“The lockdown inherently gives people a sense of survival, so people are not open to giving as much, which is understandable because we are living in uncertain times.
“We could not have planned for this pandemic, but we are finding alternative solutions as we go through it. The same cannot be said about GBV victims, it is still happening every day. Cases are still going up and women continue to die with or without the pandemic. The only thing the pandemic has done is add restrictions to an otherwise failing acknowledgment of GBV.”
His family, Gracia and Lecia Jackson, and friends, Shané Mannering, Shaarkira Jardien and Mikateko Maswanganyi, have been helping to pick up donations for people who cannot make drop-offs.
Owami urged society to hold no restraints in the love for their neighbour.
“Find contentment in knowing that everything is going to work out in the end. Everything you do in life, do it earnestly.”
The haven homes 12 women but has the capacity to care for up to 25 women for a three-month stay.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing:Editor at germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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