Mams organisation helps elderly people deal with social issues
The campaign was also part of the Women’s month celebration.
A local organisation held an anti gender-based violence, drugs and substance abuse awareness campaign for the elderly members of Rethabile service centre.
The event was organised by Thandanani Drop Inn Centre and held at Rethabile hall in Mamelodi East on Tuesday.
Kate Kekana from the centre said they saw it fit to create the awareness campaign for elderly people because these are social issues that they are faced with every day.
She said the campaign was also part of the celebration of Women’s month and to assist elderly people affected by issues of drug- and substance abuse as well as GBV.
“The campaign was a platform to discuss substance abuse, highlight a few pointers and burning root causes around GBV.
“We want to teach elderly people about their rights, encourage the elderly suffering from abuse and break the culture of silence around the scourge,” said Kekana.
She added that elderly people need to know that the law is here to protect them, their marriages, relationships and stop the belief that “lebitla la mosadi ke bogadi” (a woman’s grave is at the home of her husband), which is abusive.
“We want to change traditions and norms around relationships where there is no space or room to talk about challenges one is facing in a relationship.
Kekana advised elderly people it is important to notice the signs, symptoms of GBV and never wait for the worst but rather report the matter to SAPS and also ask for assistance.
Centre ambassador and former drug addict, Peter Mamahlodi said the centre wants to sensitise elderly people about the dangers of using drugs and how one could recover.
He said he wants to offer hope and advice to the elderly that could be dealing with substance abuse by their children and grandchildren.
The ex-drug addict said he has been clean for three years after abusing for the past 18 years.
Centre social worker, Tidimatso Maloka explained the requirements for substance abuse rehabilitation.
She assured the elderly people of the good service by the centre and its welcoming of pop-ins for inquiries anytime.
The elderly people were happy with the information session by such an esteemed panel.
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