A GBV and HIV awareness campaign with different stakeholders was held aimed at educating the public about those two issues.
The awareness campaign was held at the Community Hall in Extension 11 on Wednesday, May 24.
Ms Phindile Nkosi from the Transversal Unit of the Emalahleni Local Municipality in her address explaining about the purpose of the campaign said people should know and love themselves before they love other people and she also added to talk about the importance of supporting each other as community members.
It was also reported that one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in their lives.
Many more will experience psychological violence.
Yet less than one percent of global humanitarian funding is spent on sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response activities.
Pathfinder, a support group is working toward a world where people of all gender identities can lead lives free from violence, discrimination, and coercion and enjoying their right to full bodily autonomy and reproductive agency.
Gender inequality and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) restrict women’s and girls’ mobility, access to resources, and limit their decision-making power all of which impact their ability to act on their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Violence against women, particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights.
Globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
Sergeant Janine Opperman from the Witbank SAPS Social Crime explained about the types or forms of social crime and how to prevent social crime and about domestic violence.
She also explained about reporting and opening a case the process one has to undertake.
She also explained on how to apply for a protection order and mediation between parties.
Mr Steven Molondo from the Department of Health talked about the importance of testing for HIV and on how one must conduct them thereafter.
Ms Lillian Pernet of Masiphephe Network says that the project works towards reducing vulnerability to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and strengthening local governance GBV prevention and response.
Community based stakeholders from government, civil society, community media and the private sector collaborate to strengthen the capacity of local structures to lead, coordinate, cultivate, advocate for, provide needed services, sustain multi-sectoral action, and manage a community response to GBV prevention and mitigation in South Africa.
“Masiphephe” is a Nguni word meaning “Let’s be safe.”
Project objectives are: To strengthen community governance and accountability.
Increase primary and secondary prevention of gender-based violence.
Improve the mitigation of harm caused by gender-based violence.
Improved access to justice for all those who have experienced gender-based violence.
She also explained that the project has a five year life span after it was started in 2018 and will end this year.
Messages of support were received from: Ms Dorcas Mazimakhulu of Hope of Glory Community Project, Ms Jane Zandamela of Reach for Life, and Ms Thembi Ndlovu of Nkangala District Municipality.
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