A women’s dialogue took place on August 30 in the Moth Hall, symbolising the closing of Women’s Month.
The Department of Arts and Culture, in the Umzinyathi District, together with the Government Communications Information Systems (GCIS), is hoping to enlighten women, young and old, against abuse.
The conference heard that many women suffer in silence and this phenomenon gives ‘men more power over women’.
This women’s dialogue emphasised that many women suffer in silence which results in women giving men more power.
One of the victims, Phindile Hlathswayo of Sibongile Extension 18, told women that this was the first time she had shared her experience after she was sexually abused by her grandfather when she was six-years-old.

Phindile explained that she had not been staying with her mother at the time. She said the abuse continued until she was 12-years-old. “When I was 18, I was again physically and sexually abused by my boyfriend who took advantage of my previous experience. I ended up losing consciousness,” Phindile was admitted to Madadeni Hospital for counselling and treatment. She said she is now strong and wants to continue with her life as her goal is to become a lawyer.
She also appealed to other ‘young women not to give up and not to be taken for granted.’