Iqhayiya Secondary School hall in Khayelitsha was packed to the rafters during the gender-based violence (GBV) and girls empowerment awareness campaign conducted by UBUNTU is Our Foundation organisation on Friday 16 August.
The event was mainly for school girls from Grade 8 to Grade 12.
UBUNTU is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that seeks to assist learners from disadvantaged areas with basic needs which include sanitary towels and school shoes. They also help learners to obtain bursaries and scholarships.
Founder and director of UBUNTU Lonwabo Bonxa said the aim of the initiative is to educate the girls about GBV and to empower them.
“We empower girls through workshops, mentorship, and providing them with essential items like sanitary pads. We also promote menstrual hygiene for girls to preserve their dignity,” he said, adding that they want to break a stigma and promote social change.
Unathi Malinzi, from East London, said the aim is to equip and motivate young women to be able to be independent. She urged them to stay focused.
“You need to love yourselves. Don’t put yourselves under pressure because you want to please your friends. Stick to your goals.
“Some of you end up consuming alcohol or taking drugs because you want to fit in. No, you are jeopardising your future. Your future is in your hands,” said Malinzi.
She encouraged the girls to focus on their studies. She said some of the girls date old men to get a soft life.
“Surround yourself with positive-minded people, people who can have an impact in your life. Someone who shares same values with,” she said and urged the girls to talk to their mothers.
Iqhayiya principal Ayanda Mbava described the programme as educational. She said it was important to have such programmes at the school as they helped the learners to speak out.
“Sometimes we have learners who are misbehaving in the class and only to find out he or she has been affected by family problems. Having such initiatives also help them and get some advice,” she said.
Mbava said they have social workers who are stationed at the school to assist learners with some of their challenges. She urged learners to speak to their teachers when they have problems.
Learner Namhla Baleni said she learnt to speak out about her challenges. She described GBV as a serious issue in many communities.
“I learnt that as women, we need to love ourselves. We need to respect our bodies. We mustn’t allow men to dictate us. And we mustn’t be scared to speak our mind and be independent,” said Baleni.
