Gender-based violence Command Centre relaunch to assist most vulnerable in SA
Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, has relaunched the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Command Centre, a 24-hour facility in Salvokop, Pretoria.
The Command Centre will also address a variety of emergencies; including indecent assault, physical violence, rape, abandonment of children and various other forms of abuse.
Gender-based violence Command Centre relaunch
The relaunch of the GBVF Command Centre aims to assist the most vulnerable in South African; those who live each day with the risk of abuse and violence.
It comes as the country marks the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign. The Minister said at the relaunch on Friday:
“But if we do not deal with the issue of GBVF house-to-house, street-to-street, community-to-community, we will not be able to take action on the ground”.
She said government must make use of technology to assist women who are in distress so that they can be responded to in time. In addition, Zulu said, “it’s not just 16 Days of Activism, it is 365 days of action”.
Strategic link between victims and GBV programmes
Gauteng Social Development MEC, Nomathemba Mokgethi, said the centre must act as a strategic link between victims and GBV programmes; and advance community involvement to ensure a safer environment.
“The centre will assist us to work collaboratively with government and society to combat GBV and other forms of inhuman behaviour. As the Gauteng province, we are proud that the centre is located in the capital city”, Mokgethi said.
Moreover, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations and Resident Representative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa, emphasised the need to restore family values and moral authority.
In addition, Bekele-Thomas challenged individuals to play their role towards ending GBV, noting that partnerships are critical. Bekele-Thomas added:
“In every aspect of our lives, we have to question what is our role and the guiding principle of our lives. In these smaller and bigger pieces of the puzzle, we all have our place”.
Bekele-Thomas meanwhile committed the UN to continue to support the development of the centre’s initiative to end GBV.
South African Council of Churches (SACC) General Secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, performed a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of survivors and victims of GBVF, as well for people who passed away due to COVID-19.
Facility contact details
Moreover, Mpumlwana said the light is a symbol of the affirmation of life over death, light over darkness. And the victory of light and life. Mpumlwana said, “light is more powerful than darkness and one candle light has the power to dispel darkness”.
The facility’s emergency line can be accessed by phone: 0800 428 428; “Please call me” *120*7867#; Skype: add ‘Helpme GBV’ to your Skype contacts, and SMS: send “help” to 31531.
The relaunch takes place a year after President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier made an undertaking that government will modernise the national sex offender register, propose to Cabinet that all crimes should get harsher sentences and that the State should oppose bail for perpetrators of rape.
Also read: Cele calls on men to ‘stop brutalising, violating women and children
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