Batho – Pele hosts women empowerment event

Topics such as domestic violence against women and children were discussed.

Women and children who attended this event were taught how to deal with physically abusive people, and the men were taught how to take good care of their women and children.

Speakers from the SAPS also attended to offer their insight into the topic.

Ntombi Ganu, the stakeholders relations officer at Batho – Pele Youth Organisation, said they were giving power back to women and children.

“Women and children are the main victims of domestic violence. Now we want the perpetrators to know that we have had enough of their bullying. We want women to stand up against any form of abuse and report it at the police station so that the perpetrators will get the punishment they deserve,” said Ganu.

Women who had experienced abuse were invited to share their stories and explain how they managed to escape their abusive environment.

Natasha Ntuli shared her story of how she watched her stepfather abusing her mother.

“My stepfather is one of those men who at that time believed that it is right to beat up a woman. He beat up my mother every day so that we even thought it is correct for a man to beat his wife. He beat her up until she lost her teeth.

“One day he drove over her with his car. I got angry, lost it and stabbed him. I did that because I was trying to protect my mom. And I was very young at the time,” said Ntuli.

She said beating up her mom was not enough for her stepfather.

“He even accused my mother of sleeping with his mechanic. After all the accusations my mother still chose to be with my stepfather instead of us. That is when I decided to sleep with a man who was old enough to be my father just because I was seeking attention. And I also wanted someone who could help me financially so as to take care of my mom.

“But still my mom preferred to be with my stepfather. The situation went on until he decided to take a second wife. By that time my mom was full of scars all over her face. That is when my mom said enough is enough. She decided to leave my abusive stepfather,” said Ntuli.

She said none of that stood in the way of her hunger to achieve her dream.

“Today I am a successful businesswoman and a single parent. I do not want to depend on any man in my life. I learned from my mother’s mistakes,” said Ntuli.

Speaker Easter Ngobeni said continuous abuse leads to depression.

“Firstly, to avoid ending up being depressed, report any form of abuse against you, whether emotional or physical. Secondly, forgive yourself, because if you don’t forgive yourself because of your past experience you will end up depressed,” said Ngobeni.