- Ilitha Labantu together with Equal Education (EE) and Emthonjeni Counselling and Training in Khayelitsha conducted a motorcade to raise gender-based violence (GBV) awareness.
- Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siya Monakali said the event came in response to the spike in incidents of violence against women and children in Harare.
- Equal Education parents coordinator Daphne Erosi said it was time the community stood up and fought GBV. She described the festive season as a busy and dangerous time of the year.
Ilitha Labantu together with Equal Education (EE) and Emthonjeni Counselling and Training in Khayelitsha conducted a motorcade to raise gender-based violence (GBV) awareness on Thursday 2 November.
The event started at Lingelethu-West Police Station and moved via Khayelitsha Mall to Mandela Park Centre.
They went around interacting with the community while distributing awareness pamphlets.
Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siya Monakali said the event came in response to the spike in incidents of violence against women and children in Harare.
He said: “The #Uthuleleni Anti-GBVF campaign is Ilitha Labantu’s prevention and response solidarity campaign to help raise awareness against the scourge of violence aimed at women and children. The organisation has more than 34 years and has been fighting for the rights of women and children.”
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EE parents coordinator Daphne Erosi said it was time the community stood up and fought GBV. She described the festive season as a busy and dangerous time of the year.
Erosi pointed out that GBV did not have a gender but affected everyone.
“There is a spike of GBV cases in Khayelitsha,” she said. “By having this campaign we want parents to be conscious and always look after their children.”
Erosi added that the most vulnerable people are women and children. She highlighted many cases of GBV that happened over weekends when many people were intoxicated.
“In many cases, the perpetrator or both partners are intoxicated,” Erosi explained. “They were either drinking at social places or at home when the fight ensued.”
She lambasted relatives who protect family members accused of raping children and women.
Erosi said “no to GBV” and “enough is enough” should be the active refrains.
Lingelethu-West Police Station spokesperson Sgt Xoliswa Nyalambisa said it was time men raised their voices against GBV.
“Men are also abused by their partners. We are appealing to them not to hesitate in opening cases at their nearest police station,” she said. “If the officers laugh at you when you do so, ask for station commander and report them.”
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Nyalambisa described the GBV as a pandemic that needed to be confronted in order to stop.
Ekuphumleni resident Mpumi Marhayi described the campaign as a great initiative. She urged the community to take care of themselves.
“GBV and domestic violence are the main challenges in our communities. Many people don’t report it to police station for various reasons. In most cases the perpetrators are the bread winners.
“You will find that the victims think that if they reported their partner to the police they won’t get the monthly allowance, nor will he buy her food.”
She urged the communities to stand up and unite against GBV.
