ICYMI: GBV discussions for Leeuwkop female officials
LEEUWKOP – Women officials who attended the first women's empowerment event at the Leeuwkop Golf Course were reminded of their worth and strength from a number of speakers.
Messages of positive affirmation and encouragement ran high at the first-ever Mentoring Programme for Leeuwkop Management female officials on 10 December at the Leeuwkop Golf Course.
The theme was Speak Up, requiring everyone attending to dress in orange and white to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism movement. While gender-based violence (GBV) was the main topic of discussion, other topics including financial education and entrepreneurship were brought up.
The event started with a prayer, and words of praise were shared by Bridget Mohloba reminding women of their worth and strength.
Social worker at the national Department of Social Development, Busisiwe Mlombo took to the stage to discuss the various forms of gender-based violence.
“We see it everywhere, GBV is not only women abuse. It is abuse that is inflicted on a person based on their gender or sex. This means that men can be abused just as much as women.
“There is physical violence, where people have to hide their bruises from being hit and choked. Emotional and psychological violence is when you are belittled with degrading comments. We, as women, need to leave toxic relationships because most are scared of what others will say or of being alone,” she said.
Fikile Makuba who was part of the committee who organised the event said, “Today is about mentoring and coaching women. GBV is something that affects us, so we wanted to have women come together to motivate them to put themselves first and say no to GBV.”
Both Mabuka, a psychologist for offenders, and manager for employee assistance at the prison, Tsholofelo Maseko, were involved in the organising of the empowerment event.
Makuba said working in a field where prisoners were involved was incredibly difficult.
“It is very important to remember self-care as a woman. We are always taking care of others. The purpose of today was to remind ourselves to look after ourselves,” added Makuba.
Maseko said, “Our executives decided we need to come together to form a whole committee as we are also working with the spiritual care office.”
Both shared similar feelings in having an event like this as a regular occurrence, in which even male officials can get involved in the discussions.
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