The sixth National Shelter Indaba has called for stronger national and international action to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa.
Stakeholders attending the three-day event have highlighted the importance of collaboration and collective action to address GBVF and strengthen support for women and children affected by violence.
The National Shelter Indaba is hosted by the Department of Social Development in partnership with the National Shelter Movement of South Africa (NSMSA). It brings together government officials, shelter representatives and other organisations involved in providing services to women and children affected by violence.
National Shelter Indaba Focuses On GBVF Response
Since it was established in 2021, the National Shelter Indaba has provided a platform for officials, practitioners and other stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences and lessons on responding to gender-based violence and femicide.
The annual engagement also allows stakeholders to identify gaps and challenges affecting services provided to abused women and their children, while developing strategies to improve protection and support.
Discussions at this year's Indaba have included the progress made since GBVF was classified as a national disaster and the ongoing challenges facing South Africa.
Sibusiso Malope, Director responsible for the Victim Empowerment Programme at the Department of Social Development, said the country continues to experience a high prevalence of GBVF.
“The country is globally among the top five countries with a high rate of GBVF incidents. Following the classification of GBVF as a national disaster, NATJOINTS [National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] was established, involving various departments, including Social Development; Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; Justice; the South African Police Service; and the Presidency,” Malope said.
NATJOINTS Workstreams Address GBVF
Malope said NATJOINTS has established several workstreams aimed at strengthening South Africa's national response to GBVF.
The workstreams cover areas including prevention and social cohesion, enforcement, care and support, the legal and regulatory framework, statistics and systems, accountability, funding and costing, communication and partnerships, as well as monitoring.
“These workstreams are intended to assess whether all commitments are being actioned,” Malope said.
Communities Have A Role In Preventing GBVF
Tolerance and social cohesion were among the issues discussed during the first day of the National Shelter Indaba.
Government representatives and shelter organisations highlighted the importance of addressing the social conditions that contribute to violence and inequality.
The discussions also emphasised the role that South Africans can play in preventing gender-based violence in homes, communities, workplaces and places of worship.
This includes challenging cultures, norms and practices that contribute to gender inequality and violence against vulnerable groups, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
National Strategic Plan On GBVF
The Department of Social Development leads Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP-GBVF).
This pillar focuses on response, care, support and healing for victims and survivors of GBVF.
Implementation takes place in collaboration with other government departments, civil society organisations and stakeholder partners, with the aim of ensuring a coordinated response to people affected by gender-based violence and femicide.
The National Shelter Indaba provides an opportunity for these stakeholders to examine challenges facing the shelter sector, share best practices and strengthen partnerships aimed at improving services for victims and survivors.
The engagement also promotes collaboration to address gaps in South Africa's GBVF response, particularly in the areas of care, support and healing.
How To Report Gender-Based Violence In South Africa
Members of the public are encouraged to report incidents of gender-based violence and seek assistance from the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC).
The GBVCC can be contacted on 0800 428 428.
People can also send a “PLEASE CALL ME” to *120*7867# or send an SMS containing the word “HELP” to 31531.
Assistance is also available through Skype at Helpme GBV, where professional social workers are available to provide support.
