AWIL College, Media SC combat GBV
The Chief Executive Officer of AWIL College, Tsholofelo Nchingane in an interview with Sun Sport, shared that GBV is another pandemic that the nation must battle to ensure that peace prevails in the families of the next generations.
He added that men are reported to be leading perpetrators of GBV hence a football tournament was chosen to drive the message as it is mostly followed by men. “There is another pandemic in the name of GBV, fingers point to men as the leading perpetrators of GBV and therefore we saw it fit together with Media SC, to organize a football tournament to spread the message on this subject. We believe that education on this matter is key; although our efforts might just be a drop in the ocean, the few that we will engage with, we hope they can become agents of change and also spread the message,” Nchingane stated. Nchingane opined that to uproot GBV in the society, the imperativeness of information sharing cannot be understated and mass participation is ideal, hence a social football tournament was a fitting conduit. He said that through his institution, the students are taught about GBV and they have produced documentaries and drama series which communicates and teach about gender equality. Media Sporting Club Communications Manager, Tshepo Molwane added that social clubs and private sector must play a key role in the fight against GBV. Molwane stated that their long term objective is to raise funds as social clubs and donate to organizations that lead the fight against GBV as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“GBV cases have been on the rise in recent times; social football has grown and pulls an impressive following. This is why we have chosen to use a Sunday soccer tournament to advance the message of fighting GBV. These clubs have members who have families and they also have members who are females so all parties concerned will be present so it will be a good start,” he said. Underlying the high levels of domestic violence is persistent gender inequality and the harmful use of alcohol, compounded by rising unemployment and poverty. Research shows that the violence women experience in intimate relationships affects their mental and physical health, and their ability to fully participate in society. Violence at home also affects the workplace, it is directly linked to increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, job losses and lost opportunities for career progression. Violence in the family has long-term negative repercussions for children who witness it, or who are direct victims.
The impact on the future labour force is felt through reduced learning opportunities, increased risks of trauma, poor mental health and a higher risk of experiencing abuse or perpetrating abuse later on. Domestic abuse affects not only the individuals involved but their families and communities.