The MEC for social development, Khethiwe Moeketsi, attended the 2023 Women’s Parliament Feedback session on the Select Committee on Public Participation Petition in the Verena Community Hall on August 16.
Moeketsi reported on the implementation of resolutions of the previous parliament. She said the department will implement programmes that will raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) in all municipalities in the province.
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“In the 2022/23 financial year, a total of 1 152 awareness campaigns were conducted, and in 2023/24, 40 718 persons were reached through social crime prevention and awareness programmes.
We work with our non-profit organisations in the fight against GBV. There are 23 victim support centres across the three districts, including the two shelters managed by the department [Louieville and Leseding]. They provide psychological support, sheltering and prevention services.”
According to her, they are implementing social behaviour programmes to inculcate self-respect, self-care and respect for others.
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They educate boys on issues such as relationships and respect for women in all municipalities. They collaborate with other organisations such as Men Championing Change, which seeks to address issues of patriarchy.
In February, they hosted a Boys Assembly for about 100 boys between the ages of 13 and 18.
The Boys Assembly forms part of the strategy to educate boys about their role and responsibilities towards females and how to treat them with respect.
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