KNYSNA NEWS - On December 5, Families South Africa (FAMSA) organised a community walk in Wittedrift to raise awareness of gender-based violence and advocate for change in the fight against GBV in all its forms.

The walk, which took place during the national 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, was aimed at engaging with the community, providing crucial resources, and encouraging individuals to take a stand against abuse.

The walk began at a gathering point, from where participants set off to walk through the community of Wittedrift.

'Door to door'

"As part of the initiative, we went door to door, handing out calendars that feature important contact numbers for those in need of support," FAMSA said.

"These calendars act as a vital resource for people to reach out for help when necessary. All the contact numbers, hot lines and helplines are on the calendars.

"To draw attention and encourage more community members to join, a music boombox was used, attracting many people, especially children, to join in the walk.

'Fun activities'

"As the group walked through the streets, FAMSA staff members organised fun activities for the children, including games like soccer and netball, helping to engage and uplift the younger generation.

Residents gather for an informative session after the march in Wittedrift.

"At the same time, other staff members continued distributing calendars, engaging in conversations with the residents, and sharing valuable information about recognising and addressing gender-based violence.

'Meaningful conversations'

"The walk was not only an opportunity to provide resources but also to create meaningful conversations about the realities of gender-based violence.

"By interacting directly with community members, FAMSA was able to offer support and promote education on what abuse is and how it can be prevented.

"At the finish point of the walk, we held an informative session where participants were provided with essential information about gender-based violence, including how to identify different forms of abuse and what steps can be taken to seek help.

'Collective action'

"The session emphasised the importance of community support and collective action in creating a safer environment for everyone.

"The event was a success, with an overwhelming turnout of community members who were eager to participate, learn, and show their support for the cause.

'Respect and safety'

"The children's involvement in the games added a sense of joy and unity to the event, while the discussions with adults were focused on raising awareness and promoting a culture of respect and safety."

'Breaking the silence'

Earlier, FAMSA held a walk in Karatara on 3 December, also to create awareness around GBV, and to highlight the importance of victims reporting crimes committed against them - "breaking the silence".

The walk was "about the emotions surrounding GBV, hope, empowerment and desire for change", FAMSA said.

"GBV is a human rights violation, and (the walk) highlighted the responsibility we all have in fighting GBV.

'Help available'

"The aim was for the community of Karatara to note that there is help available, and FAMSA offers a number of services including individual counselling, couples counselling, a victim empowerment programme and training to community members that work with people."

During a door-to-door campaign, stakeholders and members of the community shared information, and FAMSA calendars were handed out.

"Community members at the Karatara clinic were addressed, and ... (the) message on GBV and the support available for victims and their families were shared with the community of Karatara."

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