National Shelter Indaba to deliberate solutions to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide
The scourge of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), is a national problem which is deeply rooted in a patriarchal system which manifests through multiple socio-economic and cultural behavioural patterns such as high levels of inequality, poverty, racism, unequal gender power relations, hostile gender relations and intolerance to gender diversity.
Most concerning is that those who bear the brunt of GBVF are women, children, persons with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community, whose rights are often violated. Often than not, it is women and children who lose lives at the hands of their loved ones. Some of the GBVF cases go unreported because women and children may be dependent on their perpetrators.
To find tangible solutions and defeat what has been declared the second pandemic for the country, the Minister of Social Developmrent will in collaboration with the National Shelter Movement South Africa, host the 3rd National Shelter Indaba at on 21 and 22 November.
In the current financial cycle, the department allocated more than R211 million for a period of four years towards 134 shelters rendering victim support services across the country.
These shelters render multiple services to victims of GBVF including, accommodation, clothing, transport, food, life skills as well as psychosocial services, in the form of Support, Counselling, Play Therapy and Therapeutic intervention, Healing and Restoration Programmes.
The National Shelter Indaba will be held under the theme; “Implementation of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide” to reflect the importance of translating policy frameworks into tangible actions and outcomes in the context of GBVF sheltering in South Africa.
What makes the partnership between the Department of Social Development and National Shelter Movement South Africa is that the department is responsible for leading the implementation of Pillar 4 of the NSP-GBVF, focusing on Response, Care, Support and Healing. This role can be realised in collaboration with other departments and stakeholders from the Civil Society Organisations - hence a multi-sectoral approach is key in response to GBVF.
To achieve this objective, the panel discussions of the National Shelter Indaba will comprise the LGBTQIA+ Awareness and Inclusion in Shelters, Children in Shelters, Intersectionality of GBV and Substance Abuse, Progress on the State of Shelters and Housemothers’ Training. Representatives from government entities, shelter organisations, stakeholders such as CSOs, business and professionals with expertise in areas such as mental health and trauma-informed care, will be some of the speakers at the Shelter Indaba.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover National Shelter Indaba planned as follows:
Date: 21 - 22 November 2023
Time: 09h00
Virtual: www.dsdtv.org.za
Venue: Sandton Hotel, Johannesburg
Media can RSVP by contacting Mr Jaconia Kobue on 0632495120 / JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za or Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 0664806845 / NomfundoLe@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 / lumkao@dsd.gov.za
