SAPS Women’s Network host Round Table Discussions on Gender Based Violence: Zwide, Port Elizabeth
Crimes against women and children has always been a priority for the South African Police Service and the year 2018 was declared by the Police Minister to focus on women, children and the vulnerable groups.
On Tuesday 11 December, the Provincial Women’s Network, SAPS Kwazakele and Motherwell Cluster Women’s Network hosted a Round Table conference on Gender Based Violence at a local community hall in Zwide. The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga was one of the key role-players involved in the discussions. Other role players included the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit representatives from all the clusters of the Eastern Cape Province, Department of Correctional Service, Department of Social Development, Community Police Forums , IDAMASA, SAPS Men for Change, SAPS Junior Provincial Commissioner and other NGO's such as Yokhuselo.
Mr Zwelinzima Boma of Dept of Correctional Service facilitated the Round Table Discussion. Organisations present were group into commissions to discuss two main topics and to come up with solutions for the way forward. The two topics were:
- Conducting a root cause analysis of gender based violence and
- Identifying gaps in service delivery concerning gender based violence or crimes committed against women and children.
After the discussions two presentations were done and the way forward to solve the issues were drawn up. Messages of support were committed by FCS, Yokhuselo (NGO), Correctional Service, Dept of Social Development, Motherwell Cluster Board Community Policing Forum, IDAMASA, Men for Change, Motherwell Cluster Commander and the Junior Provincial Commissioner.
The messages emphasised the principles of #hearmetoo,#notinmyname ,#notinourname as well as "Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges".
The event rounded off with an address by the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga. She urged all role players to play more active roles and focus more on all the issues highlighted during the day. She also placed emphasis on the three legged family structures (father, mother and child) and that each of those legs needs to contribute and play their roles to achieve an ideal family situation based on peace, love and protection.
Building gender equality and to prevent and combat gender-based violence cannot be a woman’s issue but a human issue which must then involve men and even boys.
Enquiries:
Captain Andre Beetge
Cell: 082 302 5882
