Centre to advance GBV awareness efforts in Mbazwana
The largest LifeLine programme, Victim Empowerment renders services not only to GBV victims, but also to the Aids Foundation of South Africa and Aids Community of Southern Africa
MBAZWANA is one of seven communities benefitting from the donation of victim-friendly centres sponsored by Hillside Aluminium in Richards Bay.
The new mobile units, which were recently handed over to LifeLine Zululand, will help advance efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and ensure victims of violence, abuse and trauma receive support in a safe environment.
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They have been erected at various locations in the King Cetshwayo, uMhkhanyakude and Zululand districts, and specifically earmarked for deep rural areas to provide services in LifeLine’s Victim Empowerment Programme for victims of GBV, intimate partner violence, rape and abuse.
LifeLine Zululand has partnered over the years with police stations, hospitals and women shelters to operate their satellite facilities rendering counselling, psycho-social and other services to victims at a grass roots level.
The largest LifeLine programme, Victim Empowerment renders services not only to GBV victims, but also to the Aids Foundation of South Africa and Aids Community of Southern Africa. “In 2014, we received funding from the Department of Social Development to render services in King Cetshwayo and at the end of December 2018, we expanded to sites in uMhkanyakude and Zululand,” said LifeLine Zululand programmes manager Nompilo Maphumulo.
“These were all deep rural areas with no infrastructure and resources, and we partnered with SAPS and hospitals in the area to share their facilities.
“These park homes have been erected in the most rural areas of Mbazwana, Hlobane, Mondlo, Paulpietersburg and Richards Bay.
“LifeLine Zululand has rendered services to
65 594 new GBV victims over the last five years and these units will help us continue our work.
”Stats show how some communities have normalised violence and abuse, and we continue to vigorously champion awareness and education in communities.
“We educate communities to seek help as women and children continue to be raped and killed.
“The figures show a deep need in our communities for services, and this donation is going to meet the need,” said Maphumulo.
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