Dynamic group wants to end gender violence
Their aim is to reduce gender-based violence by 50 per cent by 2015.
The Cradle of Hope, a local ministry focusing on assisting women and children in desperate need, has taken up a new project to address gender-based violence on a large scale.
Cradle of Hope’s Gender Victory Action Campaign aims to bring government and society together in the fight against gender-based violence and eventually completely eliminate such societal ills country-wide.
Campaign leaders recently came together in Krugersdorp West to conduct a survey aimed at determining how local women are affected by gender-based violence and to educate them on how to report and handle related issues.
“Inspired by the Genderlinks 2015 Protocol to reduce gender-based violence by 50 per cent in 2015, the campaign intends to select competent and passionate people from within municipalities, SAPS, victim empowerment centres, civil society and volunteers to be trained as victory officers,” explains Justine Visser who is the campaign manager, life coach and gender activist at The Cradle of Hope.
“Victory officers would ensure that holistic and competent services are delivered to beneficiaries to ensure the best possible outcome. Holistic training will ensure that they are able to assist the victim effectively during her time of confusion and trauma,” she says.
This Victory Officer Programme will be implemented in 240 South African municipalities over a period of five years.
Campaign goals include the following:
• Enforcing legislation prohibiting all forms of gender-based violence
• Ensuring comprehensive testing, treatment and care of survivors of sexual assault
• Reviewing criminal laws and procedures applicable to cases of sexual offences
• Enacting and adopting specific legislative provisions to prevent human trafficking and provide holistic services to the victims, with the aim of re-integrating them into society
• Adopting and implementing policies, strategies and programmes that define and prohibit sexual harassment
Campaign leaders and volunteers however need a helping hand from the community to reach women in Mogale City, Gauteng and beyond.
To run the project effectively R6 million funding is needed.
Anyone wishing to partner with Cradle of Hope or invest in the programme can contact Justine on 079 758 2108.
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