The Sunnyside Basketball Club is taking a strong stance against gender-based violence (GBV) which it felt was a major threat to the community and needed to be eradicated.
“Our players are part of the community and when they experience gender-based violence it can affect their well-being and performance in the field of play,” Sunnyside Basketball Club chairperson Mncedisi Khoza said.
Khoza said having players who are not victims of the GBV would allow them to build a stronger team.
“We are saying ‘no’ to gender-based violence.”
He said the GBV affected everyone including women, children and men.
He felt it was important for the people to be aware of the scourge and processes they could follow to identify and report to immediately receive the necessary assistance.
“We will also emphasise on the point that the male child must protect the girl child.”
He said the young boys should not see themselves as superior to the young girls.
“Such behaviour leads to the issue of inequality, where women are portrayed as inferiors,” he said.
More than five teams will participate in the tournament consisting of only friendly matches.
Among participating teams are Raiders, Westcliffe, Jacaranda and Beez.
Khoza urged interested Sunnyside residents to attend the event to be able to fight against the GBV.
He said the event would be more than just entertainment as residents will be able to interact with people who have more knowledge about the GBV.
“They will get phone numbers and know who to contact when affected by issues related to gender-based violence and how to deal with it.”
He said both men and women were welcome at the event and were encouraged to attend.
“Gender-based violence issues are not only about women and children. It is also about men as some of them are perpetrators and some are actually victims.”
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The club will host the annual basketball tournament at the basketball court in Sunnyside on Saturday.
“The event aims to raise awareness while enjoying playing our favourite sport.”
The international 16 days of activism campaign focuses on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact that violence and abuse have on women and children. The campaign started on November 25 and will end on December 10.
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