Local organisations come together to map the way forward to end GBV

A collective and holistic approach to combat gender-based violence (GBV) was discussed by stakeholders during SCAN’s “Mapping GBV Together” session at Amazink Live in Khayamandi on Friday 15 May.

Here stakeholders, including the Stellenbosch Municipality, the local Thuthuzela Care Centre, Stellenbosch police and NGOs, noted the biggest challenges for residents to get much needed help when in the most dire situations.

“I think one of the biggest things about working in social impact is the smallest thing and the biggest thing at the same time – that we show up,” explained Zia Hoppe, general manager of the Stellenbosch Civil Advocacy Network (SCAN).

“And for you to have carved out time today to address a very heavy issue, that is very close to many of us, is really incredible.”

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Joint effort

SCAN is an umbrella organisation working across the Stellenbosch municipal area to strengthen socio-economic development through connection, collaboration and shared learning with various local organisations.

Through the session SCAN hopes to identify some of the main challenges residents have accessing services.

Using the data, it aims to create actionable initiatives to breakdown those barriers.

Whether it was a lack of transport for victims to get to services, desensitised officials or a lack of manpower, the network found much of what hampers victims from reporting GBV and ultimately convicting abusers, came down to a lack of funding.

Male voices added

Despite this, stakeholders were eager to find solutions for local victims by working together and creating stronger networks to help more victims get help.

Sandile Swartbooi, who runs Kamso in Khayamandi, was happy to see more men joining the conversation to fight GBV. “The first thing I always do at such sessions is to check how many men are in the room,” he pointed out.

“After the session I am hopeful, because we all agree we can do better and more to solve the complexities posed by GBV. Getting more clarity as to where we go from here is important; also to solve the lack of resource problem.”

Through Kamso, Swartbooi works with young men in the township to provide alternatives to fighting, substance abuse and other social ills.

With his work in mind he emphasised why it is important for men to become part of the fight against GBV, as they are predominantly the perpetrators.