Minister Zulu to host dialogue with survivors of Gender-Based Violence and religious leaders in Middleburg, Mpumalanga province
As South Africa continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of women and children remains a priority. In what has been described as a second pandemic, South Africa experienced a spike in the number of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) cases during lockdown and this has prompted calls for government, working with civil society and other key of the South African society to scale up measures to prevent and reduce GBVF in all its forms.
In March this year, Cabinet approved the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (2019-2014), which commits government working together with civil society organisations and key sectors of South African society, to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and children. Social Development is responsible for Pillar 4 of the NSP: Response, Care, Support and Healing.
As part of implementing the NSP, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, will on Friday, 06 November, host dialogues with survivors of gender-based violence and religious leaders in Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province. The Minister will be joined by the MEC of Social Development, Ms Thandi Shongwe to raise awareness on violence against women and children and to ensure survivors have access services to rebuild their lives. The visit will include interaction with survivors and dialogue with leaders of faith-based organisations.
During the first part of the programme, Minister Zulu and MEC Shongwe will engage with the leadership of Khula Milling, a youth-owned company that donated to the Department’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD) programme during the national state of disaster.
Members of the media are invited to attend Minister’s engagements in Middelburg arranged as follows:
Meeting with Khula Milling company
Date: Friday, 06 November 2020
Time: 09h00-10h00
Venue: Nkangala District Municipality, Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province
Engagement with survivors of Gender-based Violence
Date: Friday, 06 November 2020
Time: 10h30-11h30
Venue: Nkangala District Municipality ,Middelburg - Mpumalanga Province
Dialogue with religious leaders
Date: Friday, 06 November 2020
Time: 12h30-14h30
Venue: Nkangala District Municipality, Middelburg, Mpumalanga Province
Members of the media can RSVP by contacting Ms Nomfundo Lentsoane on 066 480 6845 / NomfundoLe@dsd.gov.za or Ms Sharlene Naiker on 082 673 5849/ SharleneN@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: Lumkao@dsd.gov.za
