WATCH: City’s Gender Machinery aims to end the narrative on GBV amid 16 Days of Activism

While honouring World Aids Day, numerous stakeholders met during the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) Gender Machinery launch on December 1.

The establishment of the Gender Machinery was aimed at reinforcing the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

This was announced by mayor Mzwandile Masina during the CoE’s last council meeting held on November 26.

The Gender Machinery is a community participation platform comprising of stakeholders in the socio-economic transformation agenda of women, children, and persons with disabilities.

This, according to Masina, is in line with the country’s National Policy Framework for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality. Its core function was to reportedly review and reflect on progress towards realising gender mainstreaming by 2030.

Lindiwe Khonjelwayo of the office of the executive mayor, said: “This is a structure that was established in 2017. Its intension was to ensure that we liaise and coordinate our activities with our civil society formations. The EGM was held under the theme ‘Ending the Narrative on Gender-Based Violence’.”

WATCH: A video showing different stakeholders taking part in a candle-lighting ceremony

Safety a concern

The day’s programme saw the office of the executive mayor reviewing the policy framework and reflecting on the fight against GBV and other social factors.

Dignitaries took turns in addressing attendees and sharing their heartfelt stories as survivors of victims of abuse. They also took a moment of silence to remember those that died of HIV and Aids through a candle lighting ceremony.

In her address, councillor Nomadlozi Nkosi, a member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development, applauded all stakeholders for attending the momentous occasion and also for their tireless commitment.

“Little did we know that we are putting our footsteps on the map in ensuring that we end the narrative on gender-based violence and femicide. Our safety is a high concern these days as we don’t even know who to trust anymore,” she said.

Nkosi said the meeting was prompted following a number of incidents that had touched their hearts as women of this country.

“Our children are no longer safe. GBV is deeply rooted in equality and it continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations in our society. Both men and women experience it but majority of victims are women and young girls,” said Nkosi.

Proposal by CoE

Nkosi said they are in talks with the Department of Public Works with the intent to have a shelter for victims of abuse.

“We are currently testing to have our own Ikhaya Lethemba, Home of Hope, in Ekurhuleni where our victims can be capacitated socio-economically so. “The Bertha Gxowa Hospital is one identified centre that we want to pursue as the department. It is our wish as CoE that are our victims must be empowered,” she said.

Nkosi reiterated that this will prevent victims of abuse from going back to the same situations of abuse.