Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), the latter referring to the killing of a woman or girl, particularly by a man, on account of her gender, is not a new phenomenon in South Africa, but it has spiked dramatically in recent years. The reasons for this are many and varied, with alcohol and drug abuse often playing a large role.
Sadly, many victims of GBV do not report incidents, often because they are too scared to do so. In an effort to break the silence and encourage victims of domestic violence to report such abuse and to help them recover from GBV, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has not only made available unoccupied government buildings as shelters for victims, but also launched a campaign to install anti-gender-based violence and femicide billboards at police stations.
On Thursday 15 December Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille unveiled the 25th anti-GBVF billboard at the Caledon Police Station. De Lille said: “While the period of 16 Days of Activism Against GBV has come to a close this does not mean we must stop our fight against this scourge.
“The degeneration of our society has seen escalated levels of violence against women and children, and to fight these vicious crimes we need all sectors of society to work together 365 days a year to protect our women and children, and ensure perpetrators receive harsh sentences for their crimes.
“We need all spheres of government to work together and as DPWI, our contribution is making shelters available and placing billboards in hot spot areas.”
De Lille urged communities and leaders to stand together and to speak up and act against GBV.
“We need to save our women and children, and I appeal to all sectors to ramp-up the fight against GBVF.”
De Lille further suggested municipalities avail suitable additional places to erect billboards, preferably in areas where they will be highly visible.
Overberg Executive Mayor Sakkie Franken said: “It is heartbreaking to see women and children being abused.
“I would like to see these billboards at hospitals and clinics as well, as they are usually the places victims go to as a first resort.
“There should also be ward-based GBV ambassadors as a ‘go-to person’ for abused victims.”
Victims of GBV can call the toll-free number 0800 428 428.
