Community takes a stand against GBV
SOPHIATOWN – Members of the public are given information and options on how to fight and end gender-based violence.
The community has come together to raise awareness around gender-based violence.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign got off to a bang in Sophiatown Policing Precinct on November 25. On day one of 16, various organisations from the community joined forces to host an awareness and education campaign around gender-based violence. The main objective of the day was to let the community know that there are things both the victims of such and perpetrators can do to bring an end to it.
Community leader and Search Light Talent’s Natalie Elias explained, “Our community is okay with abuse because there is a lack of knowledge of what they can do and they are not aware that there is help out there. We want the community to know that there are organisations nearby that can help victims and perpetrators with whatever it is they are facing.”
As part of the day’s activities, organisations shared pamphlets with the public to let them know exactly what they do and how they can be reached. “Many don’t know where to go for help, so they will rather sit in the problem. We want them to know there is help waiting to assist you.”
The highlight of the day was the parade through the community, led by Dominic Louw of the Sophiatown Youth Desk and House of Lush. With the support and presence of Sophiatown Police Station, Metro police, security companies and the Sophiatown Community Policing Forum, Louw and his young dancers took over the streets to get the attention of the community.
As people came out of their homes to see what was going on, they were informed of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV and the organisations that deal with addressing this. Louw said, “I’m very proud of our young dancers today. It would’ve been much better if we had more children from the area participating but we are hoping this is the start of something big.”
Louw acknowledged that gender-based violence is a big problem in the community and hopes they can all stand together to end it in their lifetime. He concluded, “To the youth, we need to come together and occupy these spaces with positive things. Let’s not leave the space open and play victim, the time has come for us to be the survivors and not the victims and we can only do this by taking up space.”
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