Miss Lim Organisation hosts discussion
The Miss Limpopo Organisation hosted an educational gender-based violence (GBV) panel discussion event at the Capricorn District Municipality Council Chamber last Tuesday.
POLOKWANE – The organisation is a young women’s leadership programme which is on a mission to encourage young women to oppose violence against women and children.
According to them, research has shown that irrespective of the persistent awareness strategies to end violence against women and children, incidents of GBV continue to rise rapidly in South Africa.
The panel consists of Miss Limpopo Organisation CEO Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala, who is a businesswoman, Miss Teen Limpopo 2004 and Miss South Africa 2010, accompanied by Fortunate Mokgehle, Business Women’s Association South Africa deputy chairperson, and Brigadier Naledzani Shivula, the Capricorn District Vispol Commander. Montjane-Tshabalala said the organisation finds it imperative to take a stand against GBV and added the objectives of the discussion was to educate young women on the justice system, how GBV can be prevented and what support they can get when they are violated.
After she was crowned Miss South Africa in 2010, Montjane-Tshabalala decided to come home to empower the young women in her province and inspire them to be great and remind them that they are not defined by their background. Brigadier Naledzani attended the panel discussion on behalf of Transport and Community Safety MEC, Mavhungu LeruleRamakhanya, and gave survival tips.
She advised young women to not stay out too late for no reason because they stand a bigger chance to fall victim to violence or crime.
“We’re not saying you shouldn’t have fun at all, we’re saying you should be extra careful and cautious when you do go out late at night. “In the case of minor children, parents must always make sure that they keep them safe and teach their children to report any suspicious acts someone might do towards them so the police can be notified,” she said.
Naledzani touched on rape that occurs within the bounds of marriage, and stated that regardless of a woman being married, ‘no’ means ‘no’. “If he forces you, it’s a case of rape and a woman can report her husband at the police station,” she said.
