The metro south region now has its own Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Ambassador programme, with an aim to encourage more women to report crimes.
The Western Cape Department of Social Deve lopment (DSD) launched its 10th GBV Ambassador programme on Monday May 5 at the Dulcie September civic centre.
Metro south includes Manenberg, Heideveld, Lavender Hill, Steenberg, Philippi, Brown's Farm and Gugulethu.
Sixty-eight trained GBV ambassadors will cover these areas, providing information about support services available to residents for the intervention and prevention of GBV.
They also support the local DSD office with referrals of domestic violence cases to police and will volunteer at their nearest police station’s victim empowerment room.
This brings the number of GBV ambassadors volunteering across parts of the province to 283, said MEC for social development, Jaco Londt.
He said that his hope was that in the future, there wouldn’t need to be any GBV ambassadors.
He said the Western Cape lead the implementation of rolling out plans against GBV and femicide.
Provincial MEC for social development Jaco Londt, said that his hope was that in the future there wouldn’t need to be any GBV ambassadors.
Image: Nabeelah Mohedeen
He said the GBV ambassadors made a meaningful difference in the lives of those most vulnerable in the province. Their work was a vital pillar in building safer and more compassionate communities across the province.
“But I also want to ask you, the ambassadors, to look after yourself. You take on a lot of trauma, if you struggle, reach out to social workers. I commend these GBV ambassadors for raising their hands to make a positive difference in their communities by supporting victims of abuse. They are not only strengthening the hand of the Western Cape Government in its efforts against GBV, but they also inspire others in their communities to be change agents. Thank you also to all the NGOs that support DSD in getting vital support services to victims of abuse and violence,” he said.
The other GBV Ambassador programmes are operating in Swartland, Delft, Grabouw, Philippi, Heinz Park, Ceres, and Metro North - Dunoon, Bishop Lavis, Langa, Elsies River, and Fisantekraal.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development launched its 10th GBV Ambassador programme, on Monday May 5, at the Dulcie September civic centre.
Image: Nabeelah Mohedeen
Athlone ward councillor, Rashid Adams, said the GBV Ambassadors programme was important as GBV cases were on the increase in the area.
“Hopefully we will get extra support and resources to fight the scourge. The reaction from the community workers who know about it are excited about it,” he said.
GBV ambassador Noluthando Mazwi, 73, from Gugulethu, said she wants to empower others and show that your age should not stop you from supporting communities.
“If I can do it, so can they. GBV is a big problem, and we need to stand together to fight this horrible disease in our society. I really hope to make a difference,” she said.