Youth forum stands against LGBTQI GBV in Cosmo City
The campaign aims to help community members to live better alongside people of different sexualities.
A youth forum is standing against gender-based violence in Cosmo City.
On May 24, the Cosmo City Progressive Youth Development Forum held a GBV awareness campaign for LGBTQI members at the Multipurpose Centre to promote awareness and educate the community about violence against people of different sexualities.
This was the first event hosted by the forum which saw the youth and elderly people attending to learn more about how GBV affects society.
“We wanted to teach the youth about what they should do if they are in relationships where they feel violated and abused,” said event organiser Tebatjo Mashatola.
Mashatola stressed that it is important for the community to acknowledge and accept people with different sexual identities.
“Young people should be empowered so that they can deal with GBV should they encounter it,” he added.
Zanele Letsimo, the coordinator of the event, urged society to unite and accept LGBTQI people like everyone else.
“More education initiatives like this one plays an essential role in changing the views of individuals towards other people’s sexuality.”
Thabile Kekana, who identifies as lesbian, said people used to judge her, and some of her family members didn’t accept her sexuality, however, the event empowered her.
“What stood out for me is that they showed us love and support.”
The event was also attended by the Department of Social Development, Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, the City of Joburg Department of Economic Development, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and the SaveAct organisation.
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