Dialogue addresses 16 Days of Activism

The community of White City recently gathered at Mhlanga Street to have a community dialogue on the issue of gender based violence and homophobia.

This initiative was conducted by Inquisitive Queers, a group of lesbian women within Soweto which was initiated by the forum for the empowerment of women with the purpose of creating safe space for lesbian women in this area.

Coordinator of the initiative, Jade Madingwane, said as lesbian women they felt that there was a need to address issues of violence, seeing that they are also part of the Mhlanga Street Committee.

The aim of this discussion was based on gender based violence prior to 16 Days of Activism and it aimed at engaging, teaching and discussing with the community on the dangers of violence, gender based violence, violence at home, intimate partner violence, same sex violence and crime prevention.

“It is important to teach the community on hate crimes because as lesbian women we would like to be accepted as part of the community seeing that we work closely with them.

“We were happy with the response from the community and especially with the high number of males that were present.

“Our speakers included Jabulani Cebekhulu from the Community Policing Forum, Paballo Mofokeng a representative from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Organisation, SOHACA and Sergeant Thato Molefe representing the police,” Madingwane said.

She said that their findings will be documented and shared with the neighbouring areas.

@TebohoSeabelo