MEC KHOZA HELPS SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV) TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
The Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal has thrown a lifeline to 28 survivors of GBV who were housed in the different temporary shelters and white door centres after being rescued from abusive situations.
These women were celebrated as graduates after they had undergone training in sewing and digital literacy.
The women were trained through a partnership between the Department of Social Development Life Line and the Yamukara Non-Profit Company.
Through the Godishanang Empowerment Programme, the women will collectively push to build a better life for all and to ensure that after they have been rescued they wouldn’t go back to abusive relationships.
KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mrs Nonhlanhla Khoza, said it was pleasing that despite what the survivors of GBV had gone through but remained resilient to rebuild their lives.
“Fighting GBV is everyone’s responsibility. It’s not good enough that we rescued these women from an abusive situation, but we needed to ensure they are skilled in order to better their lives,” she said.
“We rescued women from painful experiences and we equipped them with such important skills so they will never return to abusive situations as they would be able to live by themselves.”
She added that she was pleased to see that the graduates also designed and created a garment that tells their combined stories as survivors of GBV.
“We applaud all roleplayers who made it possible for these women to find themselves after going through the most painful journey. Healing is key after a painful journey and it’s always important to leave an abusive relationship before the abuser ends your life. We have a number of women that we tried to rescue from toxic relationships, but keep going back and some of them get killed,” said MEC Khoza.
She said it was pleasing that these women graduated as South Africa also marked International Women’s Day (IWD), which is a global day celebrating women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
She said the Department had responded to the call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
“These women began their journey at the KwaDambuza Youth Centre since October last year. After facing the unimaginable challenges in life, they stood their ground to achieve a lot. What they have recieved is not just a SETA Level 1 accredited qualification, but a powerful tool that will enable them to pursue a brighter future for themselves and their families,” she added.
MEC Khoza said the skills given to the survivors of GBV would empower them to be self-sufficient and be able to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.
The graduates received their certification, sewing machines, fabric, ironing boards, computers with all internet gadgets.
MEC Khoza made a commitment that all survivors of GBV would leave the Departmental shelters with qualifications to rebuild their own lives.
“We are not going to leave anyone behind in these development interventions. We want to encourage women not be submissive to the abusers.”
Nyamukara Empowerment Director, Director, Elelwane Pahlana, applauded the graduates for their dedication to change their lives.
“We know that some of you wanted to quit due to the intensity of the training, but we are proud that we are finally reaching this level. We know that you will now go out there and make us proud,” she said.
Phalana said their organisation was targeting women who were survivors of gender-based violence across different provinces.
“This is our contribution to ensure that they don’t return to abusive situations. They don’t have to rely on abusers for financial dependency. We are in this journey with our government and other stakeholders to change the situation.”
ISSUED BY THE KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
