Action and changing the way we do things in fighting the abuse and violence against Women and Children will go a long way in dealing with this huge challenge facing the community of Metsimaholo and the country.
This was one of the messages carried out by the Metsimaholo Stakeholders during their event to mark ’16 Days of Activism for no violence against Women and Children’ in Refengkgotso, Deneysville this week.
Metsimaholo Stakeholders is formed of various partners and departments such as Health, Education, Social Development, Police Roads and Transport, SAPS, SANCA, Child Welfare, Naional Prosecution Authority, Civilian Secretariat for Police, Community Work Programme and the Metsimaholo Local Municipality.
Metsimaholo Stakeholders Co-ordinator, Sister Sanah Thole, said their main purpose is to decrease crime against Women and Children and also to protect victims of Gender Based Violence.
“Our message is very clear during this period and throughout the year that violence against Women and Children must stop and must stop now. Victims must not be afraid to speak out” said Sister Thole.
The theme for this year’s event was ‘Women’s Economic Justice for a Non-Violent and Non-Sexist South Africa’.
“ Because of the conditions of the Covid-19 things were different this year, usually we engage the community and conduct door to door in an effort to reach-out to those who cannot and sometimes are afraid to come to our events.
“We decided to take our event to Refengkgotso this year because we have realised that there are many cases of domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and sexual abuse that are coming from that area, especially since the relaxation of some of the Covid-19 restrictions,” she said.
Victims of such abuse are encouraged to approach various places where they will be assisted such as Thuthuzela Care Centre that is based at the Fezi Ngubentombi Hospital in Sasolburg, and can also be assisted at the hospital itself if they feel uncomfortable to go to the police stations.
“The main challenge we are facing in Metsimaholo right now is that there is no place of safety for victims. We also want to see women standing up and getting involved in projects of their own and most importantly we must change the way we do things as the community. We must speak up and report any suspicious behavior amongst ourselves as friends and neighbours in order to heal our society” said Thole.
