ESTCOURT: Women in leadership tackle GBV scourge
"Women are viewed as objects, not human beings,"
Women in leadership roles are often viewed as headstrong and tough, but they too are affected by the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and are often muzzled into silence either by society or personal reasons.
This and more was extensively examined at a ‘Women in Leadership Dialogue’ held recently.
Role players in the community – including Mayor Jabulile Mbele, uThukela District Municipality Speaker Phindile Strydom and Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Women’s Caucus chairperson Mrs Hlongwane – were among the guest speakers.
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The intimate gathering, which was held in the side hall at Estcourt Town Hall, aimed at peeling off the layers of abuse, silence and shame, and replacing them with empowerment and support.
Through her many years of volunteer work, programme director Fezile Dlamini (who is also the founder of the non-profit organisation called Bhekuzulu Self-Sufficient Project) has seen numerous cases of GBV and said that everyone, from the boardroom to the classroom, has been affected by abuse either as a victim or knowing someone who has been a victim.
“Women are viewed as objects, not human beings,” she said.
Mrs Dlamini said she hoped the day’s dialogue would open doors to women empowerment.
When speaking about the purpose of the day, Women’s Caucus chairperson Mrs Hlongwane said it was simple – ‘Let us talk’.
“Let us not stop talking about GBV, even if Women’s Month is over. If we come together, we can beat GBV, which is a pandemic. The Women’s Caucus is committed to be a support structure for victims,” said Mrs Hlongwane. She said the theme for the day was: ‘Together we can beat GBV. Together we can beat this evil act’.
Echoing these sentiments was Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality Mayor Jabulile Mbele, who encouraged women to leave ‘contaminated relationships’.
“Gender-based violence is a societal problem as well. Let’s go back to our roots; we can work it out. Let’s talk about it,” said Mrs Mbele.
Keynote speaker Zakhona Ndlela, who is also the director in the Department of Community Services at the local municipality, said that GBV in the workplace was a reality that many women suffered.
“In the workplace, issues of gender and race play a role where a woman who has the same qualifications as a man may not earn the same salary.
“When a woman speaks out, it may be seen that women complain too much and it could make you feel like there is no one to support you,” said Mrs Ndlela.
She alluded to how women are forced to “sleep around to climb the ladder” and some are even raped but do not speak out because of the fear of being stigmatised.
“As women, we need to create a conducive environment to talk. As women in leadership, we must come up with strategic plans and awareness programmes for males and females to speak out,” she said.
uThukela District Municipality Speaker Phindile Strydom added her voice to condemning GBV, saying that women often blame themselves or each other and she encouraged prayer to help stem violence against women.
“As women in leadership, let’s make a difference. Let us talk and support each other. We are going to fight GBV,” said Mrs Strydom.
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