Johannesburg - Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited women and children in Kwathema, Springs, as part of her 16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
The department said the event is part of a continuous effort to raise awareness about the negative impact that violence and abuse have on women and children.
The event held at Selope Thema Clinic kicked off with an aerobics session and a candlelight ceremony in honour of those who have suffered abuse and violence against them.
The MEC was joined by faith-based organisations (FBOs) and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that work closely with affected communities in the area.
The MEC’s visit to Springs comes a week after the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, launched at the Nasrec Expo Centre, south of Johannesburg, on November 25.
This year’s campaign is being held under the theme "Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment to Build Women’s Resilience against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: Connect, Collaborate, Contract!"
Ralehoko, the event's keynote speaker, spoke about the impact of gender-based violence (GBV) on children and women. She said women should unite in fighting the scourge of GBV. The MEC thanked members of the FBOs and NGOS as well as health workers who, on a daily basis, work diligently to help women and children affected by GBV.
She said their fight has not gone unnoticed, and their work should be commended as they continue to fight the scourge and protect women’s rights.
"Let us unite and play an important role in addressing the concerns of socially and economically weaker sections of our population and work closely with the disadvantaged to address these concerns.
"I truly appreciate the role that you played and the difference you make in our society, and I appreciate and would like to extend the same gratitude to the organisers, the FBO sector, and NGOs in this area for the awareness campaigns, which are totally against GBVF.
"Each day lightens the load of the low-intensity war conducted against women and children. As community working together with the FBOs, we must sustain this fight and champion this cause because GBV is deeply rooted in practice and is manifested," she said.
The MEC said nurses and other health officials are impacted by GBV on a daily basis due to the socio-economic challenges in our communities.
"Children grow up in dysfunctional families, which impacts communities at large. Our nurse and staff end up being part of such communities, and as the department, we are directly affected by the scourge on a daily basis," she said.
The United Nations has endorsed the campaign, which takes place annually from November 25 to December 10 to raise awareness of gender-based violence.
The Star