Tomorrow, another 16 Days of Activism campaign kicks off in South Africa. Since the start of the pandemic many people have referred to the Gender-based violence crisis as the second pandemic, however we argue that it is in fact the first pandemic in this country. According to Rape Crisis, from 1 July to 30 September this year 10 000 people were raped, and these are only the cases that have been reported! Each quarter the rape and GBV statistics rise and the government continues making false, empty promises and commitments. However, there are numerous organisations and NGO’s all over the country who are committed and dedicated to providing support and advocacy to GBV survivors. Today, we champion and highlight five of these organisations!
POWA
People Opposing Women Abuse was established in 1981 in Johannesburg, originally offering referral services and shelter to abuse survivors. Today, POWA offers counselling services as well as legal and advocacy support. POWA is also involved in policy reform, socio-economic and socio-political issues that affect women and their rights. POWA have become renowned for women’s rights issues and have been consulted by the private sector and government for assistance on these issues. POWA has seven sites in Gauteng, and is available nationally through telephonic counselling and advocacy. Click here for the contact information for each of their offices.
Rape Crisis
Rape Crisis began in 1976 and continues to be at the forefront in the war against rape in South Africa. It’s the most experienced NGO when it comes to sexual violence and rape in South Africa, and is also a feminist organisation with head offices in Cape Town. Rape Crisis offers free counselling to rape survivors, community workshops, advocacy and mobilisation workshops. They have offices in Observatory, Khayelitsha and Athlone in Cape Town, offer counselling in either English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa with counselling available on WhatsApp too. They also have a 24-hour helpline at 021 447 9762. To contact their offices directly click here.
Masimanyane Women’s Rights International
Masimanyane has 14 offices across the Eastern Cape and offer 10 services. Masimanyane also has a presence in two of the Eastern Cape’s largest magistrate courts and four police stations. Masimanyane focuses on rural areas too, with their community-based programs reaching over 50 000 women and children each year. They also offer dedicated HIV/AIDS counselling and education on sexual and reproductive health and rights. You can contact Maimanyane here.
Rural Development Support Program
The Rural Development Support Program (RDSP) was established in 1992 by two social activists and focuses on the protection of human rights, the rights of women, poverty alleviation and GBV prevention. The RDSP are also one of the few GBV NGO’s that focus heavily on rural communities, with their main goal being to strengthen leadership and civil society in rural areas by creating community change agents. They run a rural GBV program, rural substance abuse program as well as a rural youth workers and leadership development program. The RDSP can be contacted here.
TEARS Foundation
TEARS Foundation is a women-led organisation providing individual, group or couples counselling, support groups and emergency shelters. They also assist with following up on GBV cases on the survivors behalf and provide guidance for people in abusive relationships. TEARS also has a free helpline number at *134*7355# which is available 24/7. TEARS can be contacted via email at info@tears.co.za or on their landline at 010 590 5920.
Hi. Today my father came back home drunk and very angry because one of his friends backstabbed him.
The violence starts when we told him his friend called today telling us what happened. He Then became very angry and he beat me up shouting strong language at us all. .. please help us
Hi Nontobeko, thank you so much for reaching out. Please please contact either of the organizations we’ve targeted below. What is your current location and what are your contact details?
Sorry for what is happening but god will bless you
You are doing good job would like to work together with you am an expart in GBV in kenya East Africa.
Hi Joseph, please email us on hello@shebafeminine.co.za
As GBV activist we contend that we cannot solve the scourge of GBV without men. Likewise to educate boys about GBV we need girls and mother’s onboard. We need the collaboration continually.
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Good day,I’m Ntokozo nhlebela from umkomaas South Coast of Durban currently I’m doing personal trainer at intense gym.Part time I train ladies in my community so my campaign to do GBV awareness in my community
Hi Ntokozo, thank you so much for the work you’re doing by empowering women! We hope that other readers will reach out and assist or join your cause!
Good day. My name is Norman Moila. I am personally touched and hurt by stories of victims of gender-based violence because I lost my mother to death due to abuse my males in my family.
I am a woman and a surviver of GBV.I am also a private social worker who is willing to assist the woman who were in my situation by rendering a counselling to them and empower them to speak to the relavant people in order them to be assisted.I was almost died and this is very painful .I need a kind of support in order to render this counselling service.
Hi Nonjabulo, we are so sorry to hear of the terrible ordeal you’ve been through! Thank you so much for stepping up and working towards curbing this pandemic against women and children in South Africa! We hope other readers will reach out to you for assistance.
Hi Nonjabulo. May you kindly share your contact information.
Hello
Kindly contact me on 0695305763
I am helping someone who is a victim of GBV in North west, where can she get referrals north west, my contacts numbers are 079 686 4275. Refilwe
Hi Refilwe, thank you so much for reaching out. Our research tells us that the following organizations do brilliant work in the North West:
National GBV helpline: 0800 150 150.
People Opposed to Women Abuse (Powa): 011 642 4345/ info@powa.co.za.
Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs): 0800 428 428.
Tears Foundation: SMS helpline *134*7355# /info@tears.co.za.
Please reach out to them as soon as you can.
Good day my name is Thato I’m a young adult male currently staying in Eastern Cape.
1st I will like to appreciate the lovely work that you are doing in the life’s of our sister and others going through abuse.
2nd how can one be of help in helping the voices that are screaming to end GBV because I have noticed that one of the element that is also contributing to this is Patriarchy.
How do we teach a patriarchal society that woman’s rights are humans rights and that they should respect that?
Hi Thato,
Thank you for your comment. We love that you’re so interested in doing something to combat GBV in South Africa. Unfortunately the patriarchy plays a very big role in why GBV is so prevalent today. One of the things you can do is have conversations with people to help them see the damage the patriarchy is doing by using examples they can understand and relate to. You can also volunteer at organisations in your community that are fighting GBV and providing safe spaces for women and children who have been affected by GBV. By doing this you will meet like-minded people who also want to make a difference like you do.
Good evening
I am Nthabiseng Mokhantso and my cousin was brutally killed by a so called husband in Caltonville on Monday. I am asking if your office can assist us with funeral services, please . It is very bad. My numbers are 083 995 1545
Hi Nthabiseng, I’m so sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Unfortunately we’re not able to help with the funeral service. Here are a few places you can contact:
Martin’s Funerals: 0187874804 / 0824108472
New generation funerals: 082 909 6572
Good day im inspired this world is soo sick im a young male in my 21 and i want to make a difference i want to get part of the movement im soo sick off men tacking advantage and overpowering woman destroying there life just for there lust , i want to make a difference in this world ….
Im based in middelburg were can i go and volunteer to be part of this movement
Hi Erick, thank you for your comment and interest in making a difference. To volunteer you can contact the Mpumalanga Childline office at (013) 752 2770 or you can email them admin@childlinempu.org.za. You can also contact the Centre for Community Impact in Mpumalanga. Their number is +27 12 366 9300 and their email info@ccisa.org.za. All the best x
Thank you so much fit for providing such platform and access to information for such sensitive issues, i am reciding at Soweto, my request plead is to have one of thid organizations providing us with speakers as we planning to host a GBV awareness day.. A an Axillary known as Sons of Allen which id basically comprised of fathers and we felt the need as we the perpetrators that are mostly contributing facts to this pendemic. We just a church and having said that we don’t have a budget not the resources but we willing to make a plan if and when id necessary God being our redeemrr and our provider.. Not on our name ss the fathers of the A.M.E church we say.. Enough is enough..
My contact details are 0720295051
peter.tebogo@gmail.com
Hi Peter, thank you so much for your comment and kind words. You can contact any one of the 5 organisations mentioned in the blog post to find out if they can speak at your GBV Awareness day. Their contact details are provided in the post. We wish you all the best!
God day .My name is Keamogetswe reciding at Soweto .A Learner Support Agent at a Primary school around Dobsonville .My plead request is to have one organisation providing us with speakers as we planning to have a GBV awareness day for the learners.
I appreciate the lovely work that you are doing and your help will be much appreciated.
My contact details are 0733348579/0719264657
Good day. My name is Norman Moila. I am personally touched and hurt by stories of victims of gender-based violence because I lost my mother to death due to abuse my males in my family.
Can I share my story on this platform
Hi Veronica, yes you can definitely share your story here. If you would like, we can make your post public so that people can reach out should you need assistance
Hi. I have been abused physically, emotionally, sexually and financially. I was scared to report or open up to anyone as the guy would threaten to kill me, he owns a gun. By the time I reported, I was told it was too late as I had no doctor’s report to prove I was beaten. I feel the law has failed me and letting the guy to continue destroying other women. I need help
Hi Nompumelelo, We are so sorry that this has been your reality. You deserve justice! Please can you let us know where you are located to see which organizations are in your area and may be able to assist.
Thanks, do u have branch in Free State Province
Hi Thuto, we do not have a branch in Free State unfortunately. Please email us to see if we can assist in any way – Hello@shebafeminine.co.za