Women urged to speak out against GBV

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a cancer that needs to be stopped urgently.

Furthermore, families, especially women, should speak out against perpetrators, even their own family members.
This call was made by the National Association of People Living with HIV (NAPWA) KZN provincial manager of the Human Rights Advocacy Programme, Busisiwe Nelly Mqadi.

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Mqadi said if GBV is not addressed and perpetrators are protected, everything ends up in bloodshed.
“One of the main contributing factors of this pandemic is that many cases are swept under the carpet and perpetrators go scot-free for violating the rights of women and children,” she said, adding that women and children are raped and killed for no reason.

This as Women’s Month started in King Cetshwayo District with an agonising series of GBV crimes, including the rape and murder of a 7-year-old Dumisane Makhaye resident, allegedly by her neighbour, and a Richards Bay law student stabbed in front of her parents, allegedly by her lover.

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“It’s time for us to say no to GBV by reporting criminals to the police. Enough is enough! Women should not be afraid to report rape and abuse directed to them by their partners or family members.

For more information about services rendered by NAPWA, call or WhatsApp Nelly on 071 2270448.

Read the full story in this week’s ZO Weekender.

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