NWPL Speaker Dantjie Advocates for Women to be Empowered to Stand Against Gender Based Violence

The Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Hon Basetsana Dantjie advocated for women to be empowered to stand against gender-based violence.

This was during the Basadi Re Aga Sechaba and Stakeholders Dialogue programme that took place in Klerkdorp under the theme “NWPL Standing Firm Against Gender Based Violence”(GBV)

About 300 participants from Matlosana Local municipality attended the event and the focus was on the following issues affecting women;

Ø Women facing domestic violence and abuse must be empowered through support groups for them to open up.

Ø Awareness campaigns on types of marriages must be conducted to educate women on the marriage contracts.

Ø Challenges facing women headed households living in poverty must be addressed to minimize dependency on violent partners/boyfriends.

Ø Restore the dignity of uneducated women by establishing support groups to restore women’s self-esteem and linking the uneducated women with skills development centres.

Ø Cultural and Traditional decision making structures currently available must be re-evaluated to accommodate women because they are too patriarchal.

Amongst some of the focal points that were discussed was women facing domestic violence and abuse must be empowered through support groups for them to open up. There should be awareness campaigns on types of marriages that must be conducted to educate women on the marriage contracts; challenges facing women headed households living in poverty must be addressed to minimize dependency on violent partners/boyfriends.

In her address to the stakeholders, Hon Sussana Dantjie stated that despite all awareness campaigns, marches and litigation cases against gender based violence, there is still a challenge of increasing number of offences against women and children that are not resolved.

“Government, NGOs, political organisations and other relevant stakeholders have had many campaigns and marches against GBV but it is concerning and worrying to see the rising numbers of cases reported on GBV on a daily basis, more needs to be done,” said Hon Dantjie

The Speaker noted that it is not only through law enforcement, social development department and other relevant institutions that the fight against GBV can be won but through a united societal call that is inclusive of all communities.

The Family Violence and Child Protection Unit (FCS) Unit Commander based in Rustenburg, Colonel Mosidi Mabuza educated women on the role of FCS and ways to protect and safeguard themselves against GBV.

The role of FCS is to ensure the effective prevention, investigation of FCS – related crimes; and to ensure excellence in service delivery to victims of family violence, crimes against children and sexual offences.

Colonel Mabuza noted that most offences are closed before they get resolved due to interference of families; fear of abandonment and lack of security.

“We need to create more awareness campaigns to teach social norms and values that can guide mainly our young women and children to avoid being victims of violence and abuse, many choose to drop charges due to fear of abandonment and not be provided for at their homes,” said Colonel Mabuza

“It is disheartening to see children as young as 5 years being raped and abused by their stepfathers, without the help and care of their biological mothers who end up dropping cases to avoid being left alone without any form of security,” said Colonel Mabuza

Ms Matshidiso Modisenyane from the Department of Social Development encouraged participants to also monitor and take care of the boy child and not only girl child.

“Our boys need to be guided, protected from abuse, and violence. They need to be educated that they too, are allowed to cry and be emotional, they are also human. Most of our men in prisons are there because they were not loved and only raised to survive,” said Ms Modisenyane

Ms Anna Marie who is a gender based violence victim encouraged women to support and assist each other instead of judging the victims or any other woman.

“We end up not voicing out our deepest fears and challenges based on the fear of being judged and not supported by our fellow women, I am thankful for the help and assisgtance I received from the Department of Social Development who saved my life,” said Anna Marie

Ms Doreen Rooskrantz, who is a motivational Speaker encouraged and educated women to be mentally strong in order to have the strength to have their own voice, to take part in the society and economy without any fear and to have boundaries that would grow their self-esteem and sense of worth.

Hon Dantjie noted all concerns, recommended amongst others that a session with various departments and stakeholders such as women in business, private companies will be invited to guide, and empower women who need to elevate themselves. The Speaker will also engage with the Premier of the North West province, Premier Kaobitsa Maape and the MEC for the Department of Social Development, MEC Boitumelo Moiloa to increase more social workers at wards and to inject more funding to the NGOs and NPOs who work day and night to eradicate societal ills within communities.

Ends

Issued by the Media and Communications Unit on behalf of the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature – Hon. Basetsana RS Dantjie.

Regards,

Namhla Luhabe

Deputy Manager – Communications

North West Provincial Legislature

Tell: (018) 392 7000

Cell: 079 527 0628

Fax: 086 695 3784

Email: namhla@nwpl.org.za

Website: www.nwpl.gov.za