A marching band followed by at least 300 people marching from Worcester Hospital to the town centre, grabbed the attention of onlookers who joined in when they saw the cause explained on posters: “Stop Gender Based Violence”, “No excuse for abuse”, and “Stop abuse!”
Healthcare workers of the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness department thank the community and other stakeholders for their excellent support in a recent march against Gender Based Violence (GBV) on 29 November when 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children started. This is the second year that the team at Worcester Hospital arranged a march to break the silence. GBV is a focal area for the department as it has data about victims who seek care after incidents of violence. Taking it a step further, raising awareness through events like these, is crucial, says Clint Jacobs, the deputy director of the Violence Prevention Unit in the Cape Winelands, who participated in the event.
One of the coordinators of the march, Marissa Bezuidenhout of Worcester Hospital, says that with the march they want to show the community that Worcester Hospital (and the broader government) stands against GBV, so that people will be more inclined to speak up. “If they see the hospital’s stance on GBV they may feel safer to speak up and get help,” says Marissa. “GBV is such a serious problem in our country and our communities that we cannot sit back and do nothing. We have a responsibility toward each woman and child that are victims of GBV to step up and speak up.”
GBV is any action that harms or injures another person by using power and control. There are many forms of GBV, like: physical or sexual violence, and emotional and psychological violence.
Anyone who experiences GBV is encouraged to call this toll-free number, Mondays to Fridays: 0800 220 250.
