Women’s rights are the media flavour of the month at the moment, but violence against women and children is a deep-rooted South African problem regardless of the recent media Interest surrounding the deaths of Anene Booysen and Reeva Steenkamp.
In recognition of this, and also in recognition that March is Human Right’s Month, Afrika Tikkun is planning a number of community events to raise awareness of the services available to women and girls who are survivors of violence.
On March 8, Afrika Tikkun and 1st For Women Trust in partnership with the South African National Council on Alcholism and Drug Abuse (SANCA) will host a community event at the Bophelong Sports Club in Diepsloot Extension 6, starting at 09h00, at which various partner organisations working in Diepsloot will raise awareness about violence against women and children and the help that is available in the community.
“With the Trust and our partners we are able to extend scarce and necessary support services to empower survivors to change and improve the quality of their lives,” says Sipho Mamize General Manager at Afrika Tikkun Wings of Life Centre in Diepsloot.
Research shows that many people do not reach out for help because they do not know that such services exist. It is hoped that publicising and talking about these services will help residents to access the help they need, striking a blow in the battle against abuse.
Statistics released by the Medical Research Council in 2009 demonstrate the magnitude of the gender based violence problem in South Africa:
- More than 50% of men have acknowledged that they have committed physical violence against their partners
- Of these, 28% admit to having raped women
- One in four South African men have perpetrated sexual violence
For more information or to arrange an interview with Afrika Tikkun, please contact Nancy Chimhandamba on 011 325 5915 or email nancyc@afrikatikkun.org
For enquiries and confirmation of attendance, contact Newoh Belinda at 079 927 7996 or email her at nehwog@afrikatikkun.org
Background for editors
- Afrika Tikkun is an NGO that provides education, health and social services to children, youth and their families through centres of excellence in South African townships. Its aim is to empower communities to develop new generations of productive citizens.
Services offered at the Afrika Tikkun Wings of Life Centre in Diepsloot include:
- An early childhood development programme that provides a solid foundation for children between the ages of six months and six years.
- An after-school programme of sports, dance, art and other activities that promotes discipline and encourages personal growth. This programme also offers access to a computer centre and life-skills training, including career guidance.
- Family support services, including specialised services for abused children, amenities for mentally and physically challenged children, and a support programme for parents with children with special needs.
- A nutrition and food security programme that includes feeding kitchens, food parcels and vegetable gardens.
- A primary healthcare programme that looks after the physical and mental needs of the community.
More about Diepsloot and Afrika Tikkun’s Wings of Hope Centre
- More than 2 800 beneficiaries are supported by the centre.
- Diepsloot is one of South Africa’s most densely populated townships with approximately 70% residents living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is estimated at over 60%, with most people surviving through informal businesses. Because of the socio-economic challenges, school enrolment is low and there is a high level of abuse and crime.
- The Wings of Life Community Centre is one of six Centres of Excellence operated by Afrika Tikkun in partnership with communities.
In 2008 Afrika Tikkun opened its first Centre of Excellence in Diepsloot, equipped to enable the implementation of the organisation’s Holistic Development Model, which is aimed at empowering children in deprived communities to grow into well-rounded, productive and employable adults.
About our partners
Eight partners, including Africa Tikkun, collaborate to try and provide the range of services needed to address issues of violence and the problems surrounding it. Afrika Tikkun coordinates and manages the programme. The other organisations are as follows:
- 1st for Women Insurance policyholders automatically donate a portion of their premiums to the 1st for Women Insurance Trust. The main goal of the 1st for Women Insurance Trust is to uplift, assist and empower the women of our country.Since its inception in 2005 the 1st for Women Insurance Trust has donated over R16 million to women-related causes and charity organisations
- South African National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse. The National body was established in 1956 with its major concern the
prevention, treatment and aftercare of alcoholism and drug dependence. - National Children and Violence Trust, which provides counselling to survivors of gender-based violence and child abuse;
- Sonke Gender Justice, which is training Afrika Tikkun and the National Children and Violence Trust’s representatives in the implementation of a human rights framework;
- People Opposed to Women Abuse (POWA), which works with the programme’s partners to determine the Diepsloot community’s needs and develop appropriate strategies and training. POWA also provides survivors with access to safe houses;
- Childline, which works with Afrika Tikkun to raise awareness of abuse at Diepsloot schools and in the community;
- Teddy Bear Clinic, which deploys a senior Teddy Bear Clinic social worker works at the Afrika Tikkun centre in Diepsloot once a week to deal with cases of child abuse directly. Teddy Bear Clinic will also be training and mentoring local social workers, and will establish a forensic social worker service for abused children;
- Webber Wentzel which offers pro-bono legal services and training around legal issues, especially for women seeking justice.
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