On August 22, Westgate Shopping Center in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) Social Development Department and the GBV forum hosted a Women’s Month event at their centre to celebrate the good work women do in their communities.
This initiative was supported by Westgate’s management, Edgars, Movement 15, and different departments from CoJ.
The event started in style as the women received heartwarming treatment from make-up artists from Edgars, the aim was to make them look as good as they do in their communities and households respectively.
According to CoJ’s Social Development regional manager, Dorah Mashiya, the primary purpose of this initiative is to give honour to young and old women who work hard to make positive changes in their communities.
“We are here to show recognition to those who are doing good and consider an important point in the movement of women’s rights as it was recognised by women marching to the Union Buildings in 1956,” said Dorah.
Attendees got a chance to learn about a variety of things that they face in their daily lives. Joy Molefe from CoJ’s Health Department addressed issues that women face and are scared to speak about; this includes respiratory diseases, failure of reproduction organs and many more. She explained the causes and symptoms of each disease respectively. Joy encourages men and women to visit clinics, hospitals or any medical facilities when they experience a sudden change in their bodies.
The Regional GBV Forum, in partnership with all involved stakeholders, awarded women who do good work in their communities to show that the forum recognises their efforts in keeping the societies in good shape. The awards were categorised in the manner that they also appreciate young individuals who have not yet made a huge impact in the community. The categories were Community Safety, Rising Stars, and Unmatched Dedication.
“We host this initiative annually, and we get this chance to show recognition and appreciation to those who never sit back and look at the society fading away. Every year we award different people to encourage others that they can still do more to get this precious gift of appreciation,” said Regional GBV Forum deputy chairperson, Vathiswa Nkuzo.
Musa Mbatha from CoJ Social Development thanked all stakeholders who made the initiative possible and encouraged men and women to go back to their communities to continue doing heartwarming work.
