The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) partnered with Mzansi Act Now for a five km walk in Soweto, to rally society against the pandemic of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) on August 31.
MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, emphasized the urgent need for public intervention to shatter the normalisation of abuse.
“Break the silence, act now!” she urged, citing alarming statistics of GBVF.
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Gauteng has established 27 crisis centres through Clinical Forensic Medical Services (CFMS), offering survivor and offender assessments, evidence collection, forensic analysis, crime scene support and medico-legal assessments.
These centres provide immediate medical, psychological, and legal support, prioritising young survivors’ mental wellbeing.
Tebogo Lerole, Mzansi Act Now Chairperson, stressed collective action to eliminate social acceptance of violence against women and children.
“Partner with us to challenge unhealthy norms and scale up targeted prevention programmes,” Lerole said.
Resources:
The Clinical Forensic Medical Services Facilities and Thuthuzela Care Centres operate between 8am to 12midnigt.
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Contact the GBV Command Centre at 0800 428 428.
– 11,125 new sexual offense cases.
– 4,826 domestic violence cases in Gauteng’s last financial year.
– 31% of cases reported over 72 hours after incidents.
– 13% of survivors tested HIV-positive.
