March raises awareness on GBV
Ugu District has a high incident rate of gender-based violence.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza led a campaign and walk in Gamalakhe aimed at raising awareness on the scourge of gender-based-violence (GBV) on Tuesday last week.
The campaign, aptly named ‘Reclaim the Night Peace Walk’ started in the parking lot at the Gamalakhe Lifestyle Centre, along Ray Nkonyeni Road and ended at the Gamalakhe civic hall.
“For far too long women and young girls have been held captive in the very society that is supposed to create a safe space for them. The walk is intended to restore lost hope and assure women that we will spare no effort, to turn the tide against all forms of violence perpetrated against them,” said MEC Khoza.
(from left), Cllr Bekithemba Zulu, ANC MPL Mondli Chiliza, RNM mayor Sikhumbuzo Mqadi, Pastor Vusi Dube, MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza of the Department of Social Development, Ugu mayor Phumlile Mthiyane, Pastor Sandile Msimango and RNM speaker Zodwa Mzindle.
She added that the symbolism of the walk occurring at dusk was to remind women that they were not prisoners who should live in the shadows out of fear.
December has various international commemorations and awareness campaigns that are in line with the Department’s key mandate of protecting the most vulnerable. This includes World Aids Day and Disability Awareness Month programmes.
Khoza was joined by various stakeholders which included local leaders, inter-faith groups, traditional leaders, and the community of Gamalakhe.
She said the walk was organised as statistics show that Ugu District is among the districts with the highest number of GBV incidents in the province.
The walk ended with a prayer against social ills which was led by the religious sector.
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