Diepkloof SAPS tackling issues of access to justice ahead of 16 Days of Activism against GBV
The police station held a workshop leading up to its 16 Days of Activism against GBV event which will focus on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Given the scourge of Gender-Based violence in the country, which is declared a national address, government has implemented the Emergency Response Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide, which was announced by President Cyril in September 2019.
The 16 Days Campaign forms the centre point of government’s comprehensive 365 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. This year’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children will be commemorated from November 25 to December 10.
Ahead of their 16 Days of Activism event which will be held on Tuesday, November 30, Diepkloof SAPS has partnered with Sonke Gender Justice, Masiphephe, Department of Social Development and Lifeline to host a workshop to ensure that their GBV brigades and social crime prevention team is well trained to deal with issues of GBV.
ALSO READ: Murder suspect found guilty and sentenced to ten years direct imprisonment
The workshop was a two-day event that took place on October 27 and 28, Diepkloof SAPS spokesperson Captain Phephi Matlou says that this year’s event will be the most impactful one.
“Our 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children will this year focus on the LGBTQIA+ community. We are asking community members to get involved and participate and be activists against GBV in their homes,” said Phephi.
Sonke Gender Justice’s Kayan ‘Kaya’ Leung, who is responsible for policy development and advocacy said that she is impressed by the fact that Diepkloof SAPS has its own standing orders to deal with issues of GBV in their communities within their policies.
“Sonke Gender Justice in partnership with Masiphephe in particular, we are working on something called strengthening collaboration for GBV prevention and response from a local government context. GBV is a pressing issue in the country, our interest is on how national policies are implemented at local government level. Our aim is to work in communities where we can strengthen the system in particular of the issue of criminal justice system and access to justice,” Leung said.
“And when we are speaking about the justice system, it is not only about the court proceedings, it is about the start of a case, which includes the laying of the charge at the police station, during the course of getting medical care, the psycho social support to going to court and seeing the interventions that happen afterwards. I think all these processes need to talk to one another and complement one another,” she added.
The workshop that took place at the Diepkloof police station was focused on access to justice.
Follow Us Here:
Catch the latest news by visiting our other platforms:
