Network adds defence wing
“FOR the life of me, I just cannot understand how so many years later we are still sitting with the same issues we started tackling 30 years ago. Every day you see it on the news, why is it (that) women are still being abused, why are they being killed?
“I just cannot pinpoint why this continues to happen, we are past the patriarchal society, we’ve shattered the glass ceiling, we are an educated society.”
Sitting in the sparse reception area of the St Michael’s Women’s Hostel in Sydenham, Durban, Cookie Edwards, of the KZN Network on Violence Against Women, said the situation was a disgrace, and the fact that it was Women’s Month made no real difference because she still dealt with these issues every day of the year.
She is co-ordinating the launch of a new legal advisory desk, with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Commission for Gender Equality and the Office of the Family Advocate.
“The legal service will be launched next Saturday here at the hostel, and it will be a service to the public once a month thereafter.
“We hope this will empower especially women,” said Edwards.
The service will include advice for parents and children living without maintenance support, and with officials from the Master of the High Court available to assist with matters on wills and estates.
For Edwards, it is one part of the important network of support women need to make choices to empower themselves.
“Look at this women’s hostel. I have been tasked to run this place, which offers women, some of whom are mothers, a chance to build up their lives.
“We are not a shelter, but we offer a place to stay at minimal rent and the women are self-sufficient. Many of the women here have harrowing stories of abuse, but they want the chance to build their lives and be independent,” she said.
“As an example, we have a mom of two children here who needed to save money to pay for her nursing licence. We have sponsors who bring bread and milk weekly, so that’s one less thing for women to worry about paying for, and then use their money for what they need to build themselves,” said Edwards.
She added that she was hopeful sponsors would come on board to assist with the revamping of the building, such as electrical and plumbing work, creation of a children’s play area, and other donations in kind, to assist the women.
“We have children here whose moms have been through a hard time.
“We want them to feel like this building is their home when they get back from school, and start creating that caring society so that one day we don’t have to read about abuse and violence and killings,” said Edwards.
The legal advisory desk launch, where legal advice will be offered free of charge, will take place at St Michaels Women’s Hostel in Sydenham, corner Wragge and Mary Road next Saturday at 10am.
Contact: Cookie 082 321 0600 or Easlyn 084 242 0962 for more information. WORKSTATION: The washing-up area needs a revamp. It is also being used for cooking with twoplate stoves because the hostel’s kitchen needs an electrical overhaul.