Cape Town - Emphasis was put on building more shelters that are properly equipped for victims of gender-based violence (GBV) during the annual GBV Shelter Indaba hosted in Johannesburg.
Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu and former public protector Thuli Madonsela were among attendees who explored topics including the link between sheltering and substance abuse, the role of local government in sheltering, and a special needs housing policy.
Madonsela said there are not enough shelters for historically dispossessed communities.
“This movement is looking at ending poverty and ensuring that women or people in informal settlements or slums have the same quality of life as everyone else and have the same sustainable development chances.
Of course, shelters are not necessarily informal dwellings ... however, they are a form of residence that takes you away from your comfort zone, that takes you away from your community.
“During the restitution conference in Stellenbosch recently, I had an opportunity to listen to descendants and to people moved during the forcible removals of the ’70s under the Group Areas Act.
“They wanted us to know that when you are moved from your home you don’t just lose your home, you lose comfort.
How do we rebuild to make sure that while people are temporarily away from their homes, these things are done?” asked Madonsela.
Zulu said crime statistics suggest that women face danger from men they know and are killed at the hands’ of intimate partners.
“The Indaba recognises the urgent need for all of us in the social development sector and across government and all three spheres to work together to confront head-on humanity’s oldest silent and most insidious pandemic that is GBV and femicide.
“It is very sad and painful to wake up in the morning and find a front page with a very innocent and very beautiful four-year-old who was violated and killed.Therefore some of these connections we are (making) and finding solutions are very important to the families of those who have suffered,” said Zulu.
Founder and chairperson of NISAA Institute for Women's Development, Zubeda Dangor, said those opening shelters for GBV victims need to be thoroughly trained.
“To run effective shelters we know that we require experts, care, resources, and clear strategic thinking and this includes the mission of the shelter, its objectives and policies, compliance issues, the philosophy of the shelter, the programs, and services at both internal and external levels, issues of management and governance. It's really important to clearly think through the clear mission statement that helps to focus on what the shelter wants to achieve,” said Dangor.
The National Shelter Movement South Africa can be contacted on 0800 001 005 or via whatsapp 082 058 2215
Cape Times