The Far East Rand Hospital (FERH) kicked off its 16 Days Of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign on Friday.
Organisations gathered to discuss the issues at hand and set up educative stalls for the passers-by.
Some of the institutions that were present were Bethesda House, Leratong Place of Safety Shelter, Call Her Blessed Women’s Shelter, Siyabonga Africa and the Benoni SAPS.
FERH quality assurance department representative Zukiswa Mcaphukana spoke about the silence that echoes in religious communities.
“We tend to think we can pray away these problems. We hide them and think it’s a shame. These things are hidden away from us for fear these men in power in religious spaces will lose their positions,” said Mcaphukana.
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Colonel Khumbulani Ndaba from the Benoni SAPS spoke about the worrying GBV stats as cases go unreported.
He listed many reasons but also touched on how victims were, in most cases, dependent on their abuser.
“We urge people to report such cases because the stats are not accurate. Many cases are not reported, yet if they are then we can do our job.”
FERH CEO Sonwabo Lindani condemned the actions of those who abuse those they are meant to protect.
Granted, some men are also abused, but women and children are mostly the victims. Men are often the perpetrators,” he said.
“I want to apologise on behalf of all men because gone are the days when women felt safe,” lamented Lindani.
