The North West government on Wednesday took its 16 Days of no Violence Against Women and Children campaign to Itsosheng Township, Lichtenburg, one of the areas known for violent crimes and other social ills.
This campaign – under the banner of Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment to build Women’s Resilience against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: Connect, Collaborate, Contract – is also a response to rising incidents of GBV in the province.
Social Development MEC Boitumelo Moiloa said the Itsosheng community was picked to host the launch because of its reputation and propensity towards violent crimes,
“When we come to events like this, we go to the grassroots level, we come to our people, who are the ones who are mostly affected. We teach them that they must not keep quiet when they are being abused.
“We are also educating them to report when they see abuse happening, even if it’s their neighbor they should report it. They don’t have to be quiet, it’s about time that as women, as men, as boys, stand up and fight these as the way we fight Covid-19.
“Abuse is also a pandemic and we know that the President has pronounced that the fight against GBV should be 365 days and I’m proud that our communities are getting educated by the day, “ said the MEC.
Some of the men who attended the launch endorsed the public campaigns saying it does help to influence behavioral change.
Akanyang Mashiane, a representative of a local NGO called Thusanang Trauma Center, based in Lichtenburg, said there’s hope for survivors of GBV.
As a center which deals with GBV victims we appreciate such campaigns as they raise awareness and send a message to the victims, that at least someone is trying to assist and support them.
“It is our duty to prepare victims for their court appearances and we not only help women and children, but men too as there are some who are being abused by their partners.
“We accommodate victims of gender-based violence whilst the police are still investigating. To us this campaign is of high importance as we raise awareness for people to change their behavior, know their rights and protect each other”, said Mashiane.
Mombuluki Tshiye, from Men for Real organization, based in Mahikeng, raised concerns about men who commit suicide, those who end up in prisons, and those who are dealing with severe depression.
“Men are going through a lot so our organization covers the whole of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, and we help men and women as we believe all are affected somehow by abuse.
“As an organisation which leads men, we teach them about responsibility, what entails to be a man, what a real man should do and not do. We believe that our organization is important as it helps a lot of depressed people who need help without being judged”, said Tshiye.
Recent crime stats revealed that incidents of the killing of women remain on the rise with most of the victims attacked by someone known to them,
The 16 Days Campaign is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). The launch of 16 Days of Activism Campaign also takes place during Disability Rights Awareness Month (3 November – 3 December 2022).
