WOMEN have been urged to seek help against gender-based violence (GBV).
On Friday, 18 August, Hope for Africa Foundation and Sinakekelwe Thuthuzela Care Centre hosted a GBVF women's table discussion in partnership with Foundation for Human Rights at Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital Hall in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.
ALSO READ - WATCH: Fire robbed me of precious people
GBV survivor Nomvula Khoza of Vosloorus said she experienced mental, sexual and physically abuse in 2020 when she was in an abusive relationship with a certain man.
Nomvula (26) said women need to be strong enough to leave abusive relationships.
“When I decided to dump my abusive ex-boyfriend, he tried to convince me to take him back.
“Women should love themselves enough to leave abusive relationship because staying in a toxic relationship is not good,” said Nomvula.
She said some men tried to intimidate women who dumped them and even blackmail them emotionally.
“No matter how tough the situation, if a woman has decided to leave abusive lovers, they must do so because some women end up losing their lives while staying in such a relationship.”
Nomvula said topics highlighted at the event showed that there's still a lot of work to be done to protect women.
“In my journey I had to learn how to speak out and to acknowledge that I was also abused.
“The stories we heard from different women today were comforting. I was also encouraged to know that I’m not the only one who went through this journey,” said Nomvula.
She said she would like to encourage young people to not stop speaking out when they are in a similar situation.
“It’s very important to support each other. We need to have more of these events because they make us aware of what is happening in society.”
Lorraine Mahlosane (35) from LGBTQIA+ Kathorus Forum and ANC Youth League regional chairwoman said the event tackled issues that affect women and the community.
"The programme of the event managed to achieve important issues such as confronting the gender stereotypes that are deeply rooted in our society.
"It further educated the community about embracing diversity and creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ and women. There is an urgent need for educational dialogues in the community towards building a social coherence in society," she said.
Dr Lihlare Rabele from Foundation for Human Rights said in commemorating Women's Month, there is a need for economic empowerment for women and girls.
"This will go a long way in ensuring that women are economically stable and can make their own decisions. They can be independent, and this will help us to fight GBV," said Rabele.
She said when women are economically empowered, they can easily leave abusive relationships and start life on their own way.
A resident who attended the event, Edna Thukwana, said she learnt a lot about GBV.
"GBV can lead someone to a mental institution, because a person can also be abused psychologically.
"We, as parents, need to protect our children from all forms of abuse," said Edna.
