- Stakeholders came together at the Parow Civic Centre to inform women about their rights.
- Role of fathers are just as important, says Department of Correctional Services.
- Attendees were urged to report abuse and support victims.
“Gender-based violence is a crime, it’s a crime against humanity.”
With these few words one of the speakers concluded her speech at an event in Parow last week, to launch this year’s campaign for 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. The launch was held on Wednesday 27 November at the Parow Civic Centre in Tallent Road, Glenlily.
Nomonde Gxilishe, a legal practitioner at the Unisa Law Clinic, said women who are suffering abuse at the hands of their men or boyfriends, can get help.
The Unisa Law Clinic, with offices in Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Johannesburg, deals with civil litigation, evictions, harassment and domestic violence matters, amongst a few, she said.
“It is still a concerning thought that the majority of matters we deal with in Cape Town are harassment and domestic violence cases.
“We dealt with a matter recently where the lady and gentleman had broken up but, he followed her around. The scariest thing is, he was armed.
“He was working as a security guard and had a licence to carry a firearm.
“She feared for her life. He was ordered to stay away from the lady. It stopped only after the magistrate intervened and the protection order was issued,” said Gxilishe.
Gxilishe encouraged women to speak up against abuse. “If you see these things happening, do not keep quiet.
“There are many stakeholders who can help you. We will not show you away,” she said.
The Unisa Law Clinic was one of many stakeholders in attendance.
Also at the launch was the Voortrekker Road Corridor Improvement District (VRCID); the City of Cape Town’s community, arts, and culture development department, formerly called social development; Parow police, and Fidelity ADT.
Councillor
Franchesca Walker, councillor for Ward 26 and Subcouncil 4 chair, thanked all the stakeholders for their involvement on Wednesday.
“We cannot work in silos. We can only reach great heights if we work together,” she said.
Walker also shared her message of encouragement with the women in attendance.
“Start putting yourself first. Choose you. As a woman, you can do it. You do not need anyone to validate you.
“If you stand tall and strong, you can reach great heights. Love yourself first, ladies. We all have families and children. You need to decide who you are. God has created you perfectly. You also deserve to be loved.
“Time is precious, and tomorrow is promised to no one. You must decide who you share your precious time with. We as women, we need to fix each other’s crown,” she said.
Walker then encouraged women to report incidents of gender-based violence, when they see it taking place in their community. “Do not say it is not my business, make it your business. Too many of us turn a blind eye and that is why we have so many crimes happening like gender-based violence.”
She said women, especially single mothers, should take charge of their households. She further mentioned that many women are left to raise their children alone when the fathers walk out. Walker also explained how, as a child at the age of six, her own father left her mother and his four children, and the impact that it has had on their lives. Despite this she and her siblings managed to become successful individuals in life. “I am a ward councillor, and my younger brother is an engineer,” she said.
Walker said women should not let their personal circumstances determine their future. “Be the beacon of hope in your community,” she concluded.
DCS
One of the final speakers was Timothy van Rooyen, a representative of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). Van Rooyen explained how that not reporting crimes such as abuse can have an impact in the lives of people.
“Statistics show crime is coming down, but how many of the crimes are not reported?
“We as the community do not want to report certain crimes because we are ashamed. That affects us all. How? The mother will endure the abuse because what will the neighbours say, the church say, the community say?”
He also encouraged women to report these crimes. Before concluding he said fathers too are important as many of the men who end up in jail, grow up in homes where the fathers are absent.
Van Rooyen’s plea to report crimes of abuse was echoed by Col Deidré Engelbrecht, commander of the Parow Police Station.
“If you do not love yourself somebody else won’t. Do not be second best. It is not worth it. When you come in and report a case, you must see it through. It must go to court. We as the police cannot withdraw cases unless you withdraw it. Everything starts with you,” she said in her speech.
The annual 16 Days of Activism campaign runs from 25 November to 1 December.
