Police say that efforts to combat gender-based violence must begin “where it starts”, with officers and stakeholders taking the message directly to taverns, homes and community centres.

A multi-stakeholder Gender-Based Violence Awareness Campaign was held in Msinga, in the Umzinyathi District, on Wednesday as part of the 16 Days of Activism initiative.

The KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority, together with the Umzinyathi District SAPS, led the outreach in response to rising gender-based violence-related contact crimes in the area.

Umzinyathi SAPS spokesperson, Constable Siyabonga Nkwanyana, said the initiative focused on communities most affected by violence.
“We are seeing an increase in gender-based violence contact crimes in Msinga, and programmes like this are vital,” he said. “We want to raise awareness, offer support and make it clear that violence against women and children will not be tolerated.”

‘Outreach is an essential part of awareness’

The programme began at the Msinga Municipality Council Chamber before continuing to the Khayelisha Project Centre, where vulnerable households received groceries from the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority, as well as blankets and clothing from the SAPS, District Community Policing Forum and Avbob.

Centre manager Mrs Ngqulunga welcomed the delegation, while Captain Khanyile thanked the stakeholders and the local traditional leader before closing with a vote of thanks.

Nkwanyana said the outreach remains essential in preventing further violence.
“To fight gender-based violence, we must support the families most at risk,” he said.

Taking the message to taverns

The team then visited the B4 Just 4 U Tavern, chosen because alcohol is often linked to gender-based violence incidents. Awareness messages were delivered, group dialogues held and a large gender-based violence awareness poster was unveiled.

“We take gender-based violence awareness to taverns because many incidents begin there,” said Nkwanyana. “Our message is simple: gender-based violence has no place in our district. We are united against violence.”

Stakeholders involved in the campaign included the SAPS, traditional leaders, Youth Crime Prevention Desk, Community Policing Forum, KwaZulu-Natal Economic Regulatory Authority, Social Development, Community in Blue, gender-based violence activists and the Msinga Local Municipality.

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