1000 Women drive takes new form

THE 1000 Women 1 Voice initiative has provided a platform for women to amplify their voices and to listen to stories of gender-based violence which will hopefully empower them.

Pick n Pay has collaborated with 1 000 Women Trust for a weekly Wednesday webinar this Women’s Month.

The first discussion took place yesterday. The aim is to provide a safe space for women to discuss issues and support each other, particularly during this period as the online space becomes a new meeting point.

The UN Children’s Fund South Africa chief of social policy and child protection Mayke Huijbregts said: “One of three women experience emotional and physical abuse before the age of 18. There is also a link between women and children because if a mother experiences abuse then the child will also feel it.” Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities special advisor Mmabatho Ramagoshi said: “Lockdown has actually exposed the reality of women’s lives and has shown the way they are stuck in certain relationships. Strategies are hoped to be found through these women platforms.”

The Gender-Based Violence Command Centre reported a spike in gender violence-related calls soon after the lockdown was announced and received over 76000 calls during the period. This is compared to the 13 591 calls received during the first three months of the year.

Businesswoman Carol Bouwer said: “It is urgent that we all come together to address this scourge with the same vigour we saw at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.