City advocates for 365 days of no violence for all
Men are often overlooked during these 16 days as advocates, but also as victims themselves.
City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana made a passionate plea to South Africans to dedicate 365 days to the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
Speaking during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in Germiston on Saturday, the first citizen of Ekurhuleni said, “There is no doubt that the scourge of GBV continues to be a major societal problem that needs the attention of all of us.”
The CoE launched this year’s 16 Days campaign through an awareness 5km and 8km walk through the streets of Germiston.
“We have a problem with GBV, and we cannot just pay attention to this problem only during this time of the year. Every day a woman is abused and therefore this calls for a daily programme of activism against GBV, especially in a country where the justice department deals with no less than 50 000 cases related to GBV and almost 1 000 murder cases a year,” said the mayor, adding the success of the campaign can only be achieved when all stakeholders work closely together.
“The high rate of GBV continues to place a heavy burden on the health and criminal justice system, as well as rendering many survivors unable to work or move freely in society, and this cannot be allowed to continue.”
Ngodwana also pointed out that the biggest mistake people normally make is to focus on women and children during the campaign and overlook men. “This is not right because men have a critical role to play in the campaign, both as a victim and also as perpetrator.”
Understanding that change begins at home, the city’s Men’s’ Forum is playing a critical role in encouraging male employees to get involved in the campaign.
The forum’s objective is to encourage men to understand the different forms of abuse, expose them and speak out against them.
Robert Sambo, the Men’s Forum chairperson, said the forum focuses on diverse programmes like psychosocial support to all affected while motivating men to engage and inspire each other to be examples of change in their communities.
This also includes creating an environment for men to speak up when they too experience abuse.
Other social services offered by the CoE as part of the fight against GBV include:
• Couples counselling
• Family preservation and counselling service
• Individual counselling
• Shelter placements
• Victim empowerment counselling.
The CoE also provided a list of the non-governmental organisations the city works with:
• Mercy Haven Boksburg 011 892 5617/011 892 5641
• POWA Monise section, Katlehong/Vosloorus 011 8602858/011 905 9359/011 905 2212
• FAMSA Boksburg 011 892 4272
• COGTA Provincial Government 076 062 8798
• Department of Social Development Germiston 011 820 0300
• NPA/Thuthuzela Care Centre Thelle Moegoerane Hospital 073 532 1160
• SAPS/Crime Prevention Unit Eastrand 011 617 3687
• Ekupholeni Mental Health & Victim Support Centre
• Katlehong 011 389 0786/073 160 4740
• SAMAG Germiston 011 872 0992/078 663 6109
• EMPD/Crime Prevention Unit COE 073 785 9202
• Khanya Family Centre Katlehong 011 905 0915
