Protecting the elderly against GBV
On Saturday, 19 March 2022, a group of 87 elderly women gathered at the Promosa Hall to fight for their rights to be protected. In the past, former community health workers, Nonhlanhla Lejoane and Julia Morebudi had received numerous reports of cases of gender-based violence (GBV) toward the elderly. “It came to our attention that …

On Saturday, 19 March 2022, a group of 87 elderly women gathered at the Promosa Hall to fight for their rights to be protected.
In the past, former community health workers, Nonhlanhla Lejoane and Julia Morebudi had received numerous reports of cases of gender-based violence (GBV) toward the elderly.
“It came to our attention that many grandchildren often abused their oumas who lived with them,” Nonhlanhla explained. “These grandchildren either rape or physically or financially abuse our mothers, who are afraid to speak up for fear of bringing shame upon their family.
The event, therefore, aimed to create a platform for the elderly to voice their troubles and encourage others to speak out and seek help.
Members of the SAPS, social development and Ikageng Men’s Conference were some of the speakers at the event who provided information on various places where women can seek help.
The oumas felt that social development had failed them.
“They complained that, while there were laws to protect them, they always had trouble implementing those laws,” Nonhlanhla explained.
The old folk stated that social workers were not accessible to them as Dassierand is too far away and most of the women don’t have the means to travel.
“Some complained that, even after they take the trouble to travel to the social development office, they are sent back and told the person who can assist them is unavailable and, unfortunately, it ends there,” Nonhlanhla added.
According to the social workers, there was a plea to have an office in the township that was more accessible to the elderly and where they could be safe. The response was that the elderly should write letters of motivation, which Nonhlanhla Lejoane and Julia Morebudi have volunteered to assist with.
“Our mothers are extremely fond of their grandchildren and feel they have a right to be entitled. We need to stop that and protect our mothers,” Nonhlanhla added.