In support of 16 Days of Activism, Phoenix Plaza in partnership with SAPS and Sahara Shelter for abused women, hosted a gender-based violence awareness programme and self-defence class with local boxing trainer, Kuben Naidoo, on Friday, 10 December.
Women from the community were addressed by various speakers. Phoenix Plaza marketing manager, Kereshnee Acharee, stated: “As a community centre we are reminded that we all play a little part in fulfilling our social responsibilities to this worthy cause. Violence against women and children have tremendous costs to communities, nations and societies for public well-being, health and safety and for school achievement, productivity, law enforcement etc. If left unaddressed these human rights violations pose serious consequences for current and future generations. For an effective response to the violence, different sectors in society must come together.”
“A woman who is beaten by her husband or partner, some have somewhere or some place to go with her children for safety and shelter and in a small way we are so grateful to offer a platform for this worthy cause. A victim of violence must have confidence that when she files a police report she will receive justice and the perpetrator will be punished. I want to close with a fitting quote by Graca Machel who was all for the cause of gender-based violence, and she said: ‘If we are here in solidarity with this beauty of unity in our pain, we have to pledge to do something to make this country of ours a country which is safe’,” added Acharee.
Sergeant Merle Govender, who deals with social crime prevention in the Phoenix SAPS, said: “Although today is the last day of 16 Days of Activism, gender-based violence is an issue some of us endure every single day. It’s a concern for us throughout the year. We tend to be ashamed when we go through any form of abuse, be it physical, mental, social – we tend to feel embarrassed to come out and say I am being abused and I need help. There’s absolutely no reason for you to be ashamed. Gender-based violence affects everyone regardless of our social standing. Women, we need to take a stand – assistance via the victim friendly centre at SAPS is available to you. The necessary counselling is offered to victims who are further referred to the relevant department’s help.”
Sgt Govender urged victims of abuse to obtain a protection order which will help protect the victim from the abuser. “A protection order is very powerful and every victim of abuse needs to obtain one. It can be used to assist you so you don’t have to go through another episode of abuse again,” added Sgt Govender.
Nadia Munsamy, from the Sahara Shelter for abused women and their children in crisis, said gender-based violence was prevalent not only in the community of Phoenix but all over the world. “Many victims of abuse feel that abuse is the end of it all – they feel like they don’t have anywhere to go or help is not available for them to get away from the abuse and start over. Sahara Shelter is available to assist you if you are in an abusive relationship. The women are admitted through the SAPS, Department of Social Development or any social welfare services. We also don’t have a jurisdiction,” said Munsamy.
Kuben Naidoo from Box n Burn encouraged women to act against abuse and not sit back and take it. The boxing instructor shared basic yet effective movements for women to defend themselves when faced with violence.
