Cape Town - Several Western Cape shelters shielding women and children against gender-based violence (GBV) are facing closure should they be unable to raise funding to cover operational costs.
The clarion call for assistance made during 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign was made by the Western Cape Women’s Shelter Movement (WSM), which has 14 of its 20 shelters in danger.
A press conference was held at Sisters Incorporated, Kenilworth on Thursday.
The shelters are the Safehouse, Saartjie Baartman Centre, St Anne’s Homes, Philisa Abafazi Bethu, Carehaven, Sisters Incorporated, Athlone House of Strength, Aalwyn Place of Safety, Sizakuyenza, S-Cape, St Mary’s Home of Hope, Worcester House of Hope, United Sanctuary Against Abuse and St Clare’s Sanctuary.
These shelters offer short- to long-term stays, as well as legal, psychosocial and economic empowerment services to women and children affected by GBV.
WSM chairperson Delene Roberts said some staff were prepared to work without pay to keep the shelter doors open. Roberts said the Covid-19 pandemic saw international funding dwindle, and in some cases stopped completely.
Some shelters are facing immediate closure, while others have funds for about two to three months.
“In terms of the individual shelters that form part of the WSM, for the past three years there has been no increase from the Department of Social Development (DSD), and if compared to the budgets, they are subsidising 29%, where previously it was 40%.”
Roberts called on the private sector to support the fight against GBV through financial support, as shelters were unable to fight this alone.
WSM vice-chairperson Kathy Cronje said: “To put it simply, many of us will not be able to continue to offer services very shortly if we do not receive emergency assistance.”
DSD spokesperson Monique Mortlock-Malgas said DSD funds organisations in three-year cycles, with the current cycle ending in 2023/24. There were conditions under which organisations could request additional funding outside of that period.
Mortlock-Malgas said the DSD was not involved in the allocation of funding. “We acknowledge that several NPOs are experiencing financial difficulties, including in the Victim Empowerment Programme sector.
“This was among the only programmes which did not experience budget cuts this year. We appeal to the private sector to come on board and assist NPOs who provide this critical service.”