“Victims of gender-based violence need our support”
"The new victim empowerment centre will continue to provide high quality tailored services as per the profiles of the victims as seen with Ikhaya Lethemba."
Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane released her statement about victims of gender-based violence and a way forward to dealing with the support of victims.
“The 1956 revolution by thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings against pass laws, was a demonstration of courage and determination. These women displayed an act of bravery to break through boundaries that stereotypes, tradition and culture.”
“They were determined to fight for their emancipation and that of generations to follow, of whom the women of the present now enjoy. They played an unforgettable and prominent role in the struggle for freedom and equality, especially gender equality.”
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“Sadly, today we are faced with a struggle not so different from what they fought for, in that it is still a fight for gender equality. That struggle is the gender-based violence which has reared its ugly head and is creating a serious challenge in our country. Stories of women and girl child raped, gays and lesbians, murdered because of their sexual orientation has become a regular occurrence.”
“It is through these inhumane deeds that we realised we have to come together with communities and come up with initiatives or ways that will help us in dealing with the problems at hand.
“As the majority of women and children become victims of gender-based violence, we needed initiatives that will recognise and understand the sensitivity of the issues we are dealing with.”
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According to a research by Professor Rachel Jewkes, Director of the Medical Research Council’s Gender and Health Research Unit and also the Secretary of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) the rate of female homicide by an intimate partner is six times the global average, with most women killed by their husbands or boyfriends.
“The research further suggests that these abuses are mainly fuelled by social problems such as substance abuse, chauvinistic and the macho culture that cuts across all races and social classes.”
“Last year alone, 65 women were murdered in Gauteng and over 65 suspects linked to those cases were arrested and are behind bars. I am comforted by these breakthroughs by the Criminal Justice System in ensuring that victims of gender-based violence get closure, however, more still need to be done to address this entirely.”
“For years, as government, we have been advocating the need for social partners to collectively work together to mobilise communities and to raise awareness about the impact of gender-based violence in our society. I am glad that our call is being heeded. Since last year we saw the birth of several social movements such as “Not in my name”, #100MenMarch and #TotalShutDown.
These are important initiatives by government, social partners and stakeholders to address the scourge of gender-based violence in our country.
A total of R5 000 0000 (five million rands) has been allocated to establish the second sanctuary for victims of gender-based violence following the impact and the success rate the first victim empowerment centre, Ikhaya Lethemba, achieved in the recent times.
“While in the shelter they receive counselling, legal support regarding the cases they opened, medico-legal support and skills development opportunities such as ancillary nursing, palliative care, child and youth care and home-based care amongst others to equip them with the necessary skills to be self-dependent and sustainable.”
“With the establishment of the second sanctuary victim empowerment centre, the department will be expanding its support for victims, many of whom are victims of sexual assault, physical abuse, and human trafficking to name a few.”
“The new victim empowerment centre will continue to provide high quality tailored services as per the profiles of the victims as seen with Ikhaya Lethemba.”
In conclusion, the MEC said: “These kinds of victim empowerment centres are critical in that women regain confidence and dignity through programs offered, accumulating their own income, getting employment opportunities, re-integrated back into their communities and being able to break the cycle of violence by independent living.
“While we continue with our programmes to uplift communities by helping the most vulnerable, especially women and children, we will not be deterred in our quest to create a safe environment for our citizens. We call upon women to take charge of their own safety and report cases of abuse even if perpetrators are breadwinners at their homes.”
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