CAPE TOWN – Up to 10 “dignity bags” filled with sanitary items were donated to victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) and were delivered to Muizenberg Police Station on Thursday 27 November as part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.
They were donations from the Lions Club of Tokai to Muizenberg police’s Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) on Thursday 27 November, the third day of the global awareness campaign, said Lions chairperson Mark Rossouw. It takes place from Tuesday 25 November to Wednesday 10 December.
The Lions Club of Tokai, chartered in May 1977, forms part of Lions Clubs International, its service clubs the largest with more than 1,4 million members in approximately 46 000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas of the world.
Addressing community challenges
The dignity-bag drive has helped the Lion’s club strengthen its bond with Muizenberg police, who help support those who suffer as a result of GBVF, Rossouw said.
“This drive provided us with yet another opportunity to take a stand against GBVF. These unnecessary social evils continue to plague the communities served by the Muizenberg Police Station and remain rife within the geographical area it serves, and is exacerbated by substance abuse.”
Hope and dignity restored
The dignity bags serve as a valuable addition to the services police provide as well as those of VEP volunteers in their ongoing fight against gender-based violence.
Members of the public also donated pre-loved women’s leather handbags to the Lions for this project.
Items in each bag include a magazine, socks, cap, tea, sewing kit, mouth wash, lotion and a jewellery box made from recycled plastic bottles.
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“These bags not only help restore the dignity of the victims, but also symbolise hope,” Rossouw said. “The police and VEP volunteers will distribute these bags to women who have fallen victim to GBV.”
Acknowledgments
The club extended sincere gratitude to the members of the Muizenberg police along with VEP volunteer Wendy Jonas for helping to bring the project to fruition.
“We also thank our club members Colleen de Villiers and Jill Rumbelow for their involvement in this project,” said Rossouw.
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