Ending suffering

I WAS privileged to participate in the global dialogue, the 3rd World Conference of Women’s Shelters in The Hague in November. Over 1 200 women from 115 countries met to discuss ways to combat gender-based violence under the banner, “Connect & Act”.

My presentation on Women’s Shelter Networks and Advocacy was well received – I came back home with the knowledge that sheltering work in South Africa is of an international standard. And when I compare women’s sheltering in our country to that of the other African countries that participated, I can proudly say, “at least our sector has a partnership with our government”. This is not the case in many African states. Each continent has selected a steering committee and I have been selected to be a member of the Africa Network of Women’s Shelters Steering Committee.

One in three women worldwide are victims of physical or sexual violence – this is a human rights violation. What is