365 days of No To GBV workshop a huge success

The Gender-based Violence (GBV) workshop hosted by Love to Live and the Department of Community Safety held on February 18 at Eddels Sports Club was a phenomenal success.

Participants included representatives from SAPS, Correctional Services, the Liquor Authority, Msunduzi Municipality, church representatives, Hibiscus and Royal Hospitals, the departments of health, education, arts and culture and social development, PGMC, UKZN (intern psychologists), Lifeline, Careline and Gift of the Givers.

The role players in attendance contributed to a robust discussion around solutions to the GBV scourge plaguing the country.

The following resolutions were adopted for implementation: Response to victims and survivors; Promoting cooperation between SAPS and security services;

Lobby SAPS to create a dedicated unit for GBV;

Ward councillors and ambassadors in the community need to trained and must be accessible to the community; GBV toll free numbers need to be widely publicised; Broadening access to justice for all survivors; Lobby Department of Justice to facilitate the rapid handling of GBV cases;

Promote awareness of the availability of court preparation for survivors.

In terms of changing social norms and behaviour through awareness and prevention campaigns the following was put forward: 1) Implement awareness campaigns by placard demonstrations, media (including social media), essay and poster contests and arts and culture and sports programmes; 2) Prepare modules for awareness of GBV for inclusion in school curriculum with approval of Department of Education; 3) Promotion of GBV educational tours to schools, work places and places of worship; To strengthen existing architecture and promote accountability: 1) Identify and publicise safe houses, support facilities; 2) Liaise with Department of Social Development to take this process forward; For the creation of more economic opportunities for vulnerable women: 1) Identify and publicise skills training programmes through the Department of Education and other departments; 2) Promotion of “take a child to work” program; Participants of the workshop extended full support to expediting the above resolutions immediately. Love to Live and the Department of Community Safety thank all participants for their contributions towards making the workshop a huge success.