About 200 women including the Grahamstown military joined in a Women’s Day celebration organised by the SAPS on Wednesday 12 August at the City Hall in Grahamstown.
About 200 women including the Grahamstown military joined in a Women’s Day celebration organised by the SAPS on Wednesday 12 August at the City Hall in Grahamstown.
Representatives from the Department of Social Development, Department of Justice, Legal Aid SA and SAPS provincial office addressed the gathering about the services offered by the respective departments.
Women were urged to report any kind of abuse they may be experiencing to the Department of Social Development or the SAPS.
“We have to go out and reach our communities and tell them that the time to be silent is over.”
“Of course the law is protecting us but it is not enough, we need to speak out.”
Advised social worker Kuthala Tshazi.
She said women are the pillars of the home and community but fall victim to domestic violence and poverty.
According to Tshazi, in 2013, seven out of 10 homes experienced domestic violence and only one case was reported to the police.
She said it is everyone’s duty to “empower, motivate and strengthen our women.”
Tshazi said elderly women are killed for their pension grants and are accused of witchcraft.
She said this must be stopped. “Elderly people must be shown love,” Tshazi said.
Legal Aid representative Nkululeko Sinyanda said they receive funds from Parliament to offer free legal advice to people. He said they stand for justice and represent children under 18.
They communicate with clients in any of the 11 official languages.
“You have the right to speak your own language and be listened to,” Sinyanda said.
