BOPHELONG – Rotary Club of Vanderbijlpark and Lifeline joined hands to host an informative event at the Bophelong community center on Thursday, August 31.
This event marked an effort to raise awareness about the pressing issue of gender-based violence and its root causes within this community on the outskirts of Vanderbijlpark.
As Women’s Month came to an end, the two organizations sought to address the deeply entrenched problem of gender-based violence that has been worsened by various social challenges.
The event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including Hawks Mental Health, Child Welfare, COGTA, Badumetsi Batho Centre, SAPS Vanderbijlpark, and the Gauteng Department of Social Development.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Zamaswazi Shongwe, a dedicated social worker from Lifeline with a specialization in aiding abused women and children, emphasized the profound significance of the event.
“We collaborated with Rotary to provide services and information pertaining to gender-based violence. We also want the community to share with us what issues they are faced with. It does not help to impose information to them without hearing their voice and learning what is it that they actually going through,” she said.
“We hope that the community of Bophelong will get more information and clarity on our different kinds of departments and which one is directly set to assist them,” she said.
Community members, activists, and professionals in various fields engaged in insightful discussions and presentations that shed light on the complexities of gender-based violence.
“We invited different organizations mostly linked with the factors affecting them. I have assisted many women who are faced with all kinds of abuse, mostly physical. These different organizations will embrace their power to leave and survive their situations. We also provide external skills so that when we are done with them, they can start their lives afresh with the skills they have acquired,” she said.
Shongwe said they extend their helping hand annually in different areas.
“Last year we did the same campaign in Evaton, this year we are here. We will continue to visit more areas,” she said.
