In the light of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, the Boksburg Advertiser asked a few stakeholders what message they would like to get across during this year's awareness campaign.
Maria Pereira of Mercy Haven emphasises the importance of self-reliance for women to combat GBV. She advocates that women should not depend on men, as this dependency can lead to vulnerability and increased risk of violence. Instead, she encourages women to seek independence and actively pursue their rights.
In the light of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, the Boksburg Advertiser asked a few stakeholders what message they would like to get across during this year’s awareness campaign.
Caityne Januare, social worker, from the Community of Hope Multipurpose Centre highlighted the significant impact of gender-based violence (GBV) on women and girls. She pointed out that they are affected by various forms of GBV, including domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and femicide. These acts not only cause physical and mental harm but also severely limit women’s access to education, employment and independence. Addressing GBV is crucial for enabling women to achieve their full potential and participate fully in society.
Ebbiegail Kramm (Kuselo Child and Youth Care Services): Child protection is a daily practice. Many children are abused and neglected as perpetrators are not affraid of the consequences for their actions. Children are left to fend for themselves and have no voice. We as Kuselo, assist children who are in harms way and need support. We advocate for children in crises. Children need to feel they have a sense of belonging, that they are loved. We as Kuselo and our community need to stand together and give them their voices back and show them what love really means. They need to be heard and seen.
