Bertha Gxowa Care Centre kickstarted 16 Days of Activism and commemorated International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with an awareness and an educational walk on November 25.

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The walk was supported by several organisations from SAPS, EMPD, HAWKS, COGTA, DBE, DSD Germiston and Kempton Park, CoE, CSP, SAPS VEC, Sassa, DSD Men’s Forum, Shout-It-Now, NAPWA, Ekupholeni, Human Trafficking International, Traditional Health Practitioners and faith-based organisations.

“These walks are important and to see organisations and community members come out to support and even listen to what we have to tell them is important. gender-based violence (GBV) and abuse of children is still rife in our communities,” said Sr Hazel Moagi, the hospital’s operational manager.

“We still need to conduct educational talks, and such walks play a vital role.”

This year’s theme is The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke – 16 Days of Activism – Moving from Awareness to Accountability.

Moagi said more education is still needed and people need to hold the perpetrators accountable.

“Our theme locally is Abuse Knows no Boundaries, and we encourage and urge the community to report GBV,” said Moagi.

The starting point was at Bertha Gxowa Hospital’s main entrance and ended at the Germiston SAPS hall.
GCN spoke to Makhosi Tiny, who is part of Traditional Health Practitioners, about why they supported the walk.

“As traditional healers, we are part of the community. We always hear stories about a child being killed or a woman beaten and killed.

“We are against such behaviour and if someone comes to consult with us and we see signs of abuse, we report it and offer support where we can,” said Tiny.

She urged the community to work with the relevant stakeholders in fighting GBV.

“We encourage the community to know where they can get help if they experience GBV.

“When you see or hear about such marches, support them so we can be armed with information that might save a life someday,” said Tiny.

Moagi said: “It was important to invite all the different organisations because sometimes people act as if GBV only affect certain people.

“GBV knows no boundaries and affects anyone and everyone. It may not be you directly experiencing the abuse, but you might find a friend or family member is. We are all affected in some way, and as communities, we need to take a stand and say enough is enough.”