MSHOLOZI – With the prevalence of domestic violence alleged to be happening behind closed doors in this informal settlement, two major awareness campaigns against the abuse of women and children have been held within the space of three days.
Volunteers of the Child Welfare White River branch, together with young and old women, children and some older men, marched through the streets calling for an end to all forms of abuse. The march commenced from the temporary taxi rank, where drivers were also urged to be role models in the fight against the abuse of women and children. The marchers then proceeded to Msholozi A, B and Phumlani Section.
They shouted and sang slogans calling on abusers to stop. It was also heard from the marchers that a majority of women from neighbouring countries were silent victims of abuse. “Most of them had been turned into punching bags by their husbands who drink too much alcohol and they don’t report such cases to the police because they are afraid of having their husbands arrested,” explained Zanele Mbuyane, a resident.
A victim who spoke on condition of anonymity, said men who physically abuse their wives, in fact are teaching them defensive skills as well. “My husband used to bring his girlfriends to the house and sleep with them in my presence and end up beating me up. I learnt to fight back and now I am able to overpower him. I only decided to end the relationship recently after realising that one of us will die in a fight one day. I would either have ended up killing him or him killing me. The last straw that made me realise that I was of no good use to him anymore, was the day he hit me in the face with a broom,” she said.
Charles Sanderson, a community development worker, urged women or victims of abuse never to stop reporting their cases even if it they needed to approach the highest authorities. He added that the area was also a hot spot for child neglect, whereby mothers leave their children behind unattended or with their unemployed grandparents.
“There is also a misuse of child support grants in this area and we call on beneficiaries to stop doing that as grants are meant to cater to the needs of the children,” he said.He also called on women and girls who had unwanted babies not to dump them, but rather to bring them to his organisation. “There are many people who are looking to adopt and to foster children. There is always a way out, so women must stop dumping their babies,” he said.
The White River police also conducted its own march against the abuse of women and children in the area.
