Spotlight on problems that affect women

WOMEN took centre stage at a community outreach programme in Ncerha’s Village 7 yesterday.

A brainchild of the Commission for Gender Equality, the event was attended by members of parliament’s portfolio committee for women, as well as delegates from the Department of Health and South African Police Services.

On the agenda were a variety of issues women battle with including domestic abuse, lack of employment, lack of toilets and other basic infrastructure issues that leave them vulnerable.

Buffalo City Metro council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele said the main purpose of the visit was to see for themselves the living conditions in the village.

Simon-Ndzele said issues requiring urgent intervention were the opening of a new satellite police station and clinic, the provision of toilets, and upgrades to gravel roads.

“There are too many rape victims in the rural areas who struggle to report these crimes because of the distance to police stations in surrounding towns,” she said. “For instance, Kidd’s Beach is too far to walk to but unfortunately that is the only police station close to here. A nearby police station will also help root out drugs, which are becoming an increasing problem in the rural areas.”

Commissioner Bata, from the CGE, said this served as a follow-up visit after a Women’s Day function at the village last year. “When we were here so many women raised so many painful issues that we had to come back and listen to what they had to say.

“This time we have brought with us all of the relevant people who can assist in whatever challenges are identified here today,” she said.

The delegation included members of the legal department of CGE, who allowed residents to ask questions on legal matters they needed assistance with. —