The purpose of the project is to address Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) and social ills in the 30 identified National GBV&F hotspots, focussing on liquor outlets in these areas and an inclusion of community participation. The project will inform tavern owners and patrons at liquor outlets, the community and influence a change in the behaviour of potential perpetrators of GBV&F and social ills. Through this campaign, messages to discourage Gender Based Violence and create awareness should be painted at taverns.
In North West, Visible Policing took the GBV&F prevention efforts to Boiketlo Tavern at Extension 11, Ikageng Township, on Thursday, 26 January 2023. Representatives from the Division: Visible Policing & Operations, the Provincial Visible Policing, Office of the District Commissioner of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Special Projects at JB Marks Local Municipality, Community Police Forum (CPF), Social Development and other different stakeholders graced the event with their presence.
The prevention of GBV&F and awareness raising campaigns play a critical role in changing and correcting the attitude of individuals and those of potential perpetrators in the communities. Through this project and focusing on recreational places, SAPS will inform the tavern owners and patrons at liquor outlets and the community about GBV&F prevention through dialogues in order to influence a change in the behaviour of potential perpetrators of GBV&F in an effort to build safer spaces and to drive away negative attitudes that contribute to Gender Based Violence and Femicide.
In her speech, Palesa Nechodemus discouraged discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer and Intersex communities (LGBTQ&I) as most of them face challenges relating to GBV&F. “If you do not accept the gender preference, of your child, how do you expect the community to accept him or her. People should also desist from thinking that when they are drunk, they are entitled to sexual activities with their partners. There should be a consent,” explained Ms Nechodemus.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Special Projects at JB Marks Local Municipality, Ms Thandiwe Mtayi pledged that as the municipality, they will work with the South African Police Service to ensure that Gender Based Violence is addressed at local level. “ GBV is a pandemic and a painful situation. Let us stop doing drugs, as they also contribute towards domestic violence”, said Ms Mtayi as she encouraged men to speak out and report GBV and dispel a myth that “Men Do Not Cry”.
A representative from the Provincial Visible Policing, Colonel Buhlungu, reiterated that GBV should be prevented and reported. She further pleaded with patrons and community members to paint an awareness on Gender Based Violence and Femicide and to drink responsibly. Moreover, she explained that the reason the awareness was taken to Ikageng was due to it being in the National top 30 stations with the highest GBV&F cases. A wall with GBVF awareness messages to discourage GBV&F was painted at Boiketlo tavern.
In her keynote address, Director Mcadi from Division Visible Policing appealed to all structures in Ikageng to work together in the fight against GBV and to continue painting wall murals to send message to the community and patrons to discourage GBV&F. She concluded by encouraging tavern owners to have dialogues with their patrons. The Chairperson of Men Conference, Letlhogonolo Tlholoe also discouraged GBV while the Liquor Traders representative, Ms Phirinyane, pledged to engage and encourage all the 115 tavern owners to have weekly engagements with their customers to raise awareness on GBV&F. She further urged patrons who might be the abusers, to refrain from abusing their women / partners and to drink responsibly.
Responses from the three community and patrons groups paired together brought along ideas on how GBV&F could be addressed and possible solutions to be accomplished.