By OBAKENG MAJE
Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) continues to be prevalent in South Africa and according to the statistics, more cases have been reported since lockdown. Pudimoe Police Station along with other stakeholders organised a GBV&F awareness campaign at Pudimoe Library on Friday to educate children about this pandemic.
Pudimoe Police Station Captain, Michael Leboiho said: “We get more influx of GBV cases especially that involve children. We have realised that some parents neglect their children and they end up being victims of GBV.
“Another challenge is young girls being involved in romantic relationships with older guys. In most cases, these young girls get involved with outcast men, especially those who would come to the villages as contractors.”
Leboiho said some of these young girls will run from their homes and stay with these ‘foreigners’ and end up being pregnant. He said their parents would then try to go and open cases with the police, however, perpetrators would ‘run’ away.
“We would like to encourage our people, especially parents, to come forward and report these cases before it is too late. They need to know that sexual offences are defined in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007).
“Sexual offences include rape, which can be committed by a male or a female while the victim may be a male or a female. This also include sexual assault, compelling or causing persons of 18 years or older to witness sexual offenses, sexual acts or self-masturbation,” he said.
Leboihi further said he believed that this initiative had given more exposure to children and anyone experiencing GBV. He added that mostly, the GBV cases are taking place behind closed doors and urge victims to break the silence.
Meanwhile, the Pudimoe Gender –Based Violence and Femicide Organisation activist, Oratile Phulane shared the same sentiments. Phulane said GBV&F is another pandemic apart from COVID-19.
“We have established this organisation in quest to combat GBV&F within our area. In most cases, parents do not know the impact of this pandemic. Some households refuse to work together with us, but we always encourage them to report this scourge.
“Even though GBV&F knows no boundaries, it is more prevalent among underprivileged households. Maybe this had to do with gender inequality in South Africa, which is exacerbated by the country’s torrid history of exclusion and separate development, its sharply divided socio-economic character and a pervasive male-dominated culture in various industries,” she said.
Joseph Tanyane from Matlhako 2 Tribal Authority Office said: “We urge men to stand up against GBV. So, women and children should report these horrendous acts to the police. Let us work together with the police and other stakeholders.”
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