Young representatives of Gun Free South Africa visited Atlantis to celebrate Human Rights Day, particularly with the youth of the town and its surrounding areas, in which they learnt about their rights as young people.
The organisation’s Monique Hansen explained: “We are committed to creating a safer country by reducing the number of guns, and as youth we are responsible for making our communities safer and tackling the issues we are faced with, and collaborating with other organisations that have the same goals we have.
“Young people should understand that the importance of building safe communities is about information sharing, human rights, violence and how we can build safer communities, getting young people to collaborate and discuss various topics.”
The day’s activities included human rights and trauma-related discussions and solutions to gun violence. These include information about gun-free zones and how beneficial they can be for the community in terms of creating safe spaces.
The organisation’s aim is to get information out about gun violence and how guns add to the risk of losing more young people to gangsterism.
“A lot of young people, especially younger kids, think having a gun is ‘cool’, because they see this on all media platforms and movies,” Hansen explained to the gathering, “and we seldom discuss the risks and consequences of having one.”
She said many parents are not having the difficult discussions with their children when it comes to trauma and gender-based violence and sexual assault.
Councillor Allister Lightburn said in his address that everybody has the right to be safe in their area. He encouraged the youngsters to live their lives without fear, and said it is important that partnerships be formed with law enforcement agencies.
