Byline:Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
10 December 2024
Every year, 16 Days of Activism takes place from 25 November to 10 December and is a campaign towards no violence against women and children.
The purpose of this campaign was to highlight the negative impact violence has in an attempt to help victims of such violence. Although this campaign runs for 16 days, Government urges everyone to continuously act to safeguard against this type of abuse.
Gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking and other forms of family violence and abuse have long affected women’s lives. Whether violence occurs within the workplace or outside, the detrimental effects of gender-based violence at the workplace are
substantial. Along with this, awareness has come recognition of the need for proactive strategies to facilitate employees’ safety at work and to reduce employers’ economic losses associated with employees’ experience with gender-based violence.
While police officials are on their boots to end gender-based violence in the communities they serve, they often neglect the challenges they face at work in dealing with such violence.
Bethal SAPS Social Crime prevention with the station’s, District’s and Provincial men for change and Women’s network structures together with Employee Health and Wellness-Spiritual services led by Chaplain Dingiswayo and the Universal church under the leadership of Pastor Boikanyo held a prayer against gender based violence for officials incorporated with commemoration of world’s AIDS DAY with the aim or purpose of praying for hope in the end against gender based violence spear-headed by Sergeant Thomas Mogadime, Mpumalanga Provincial Men For Change Deputy Chairperson.
Pastor Boikanyo encouraged officials to pray about their situations and ask God to lead and guide them in every violence they face on a daily basis.
Chaplain Warrant Officer Dingiswayo led everyone to the candle lighting in commemoration of World AIDS Day which is observed annually on 1 December to remember the lives lost to HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness of the ongoing fight against the disease. She mentioned that during the commemoration, a red ribbon is the universal symbol of support for people living with HIV/AIDS
She added that some ways to help reduce the impact of HIV include:
– Prioritizing community-led interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination.
– Using communication strategies that resonate with young people.
– Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the HIV response.
– Addressing stigma and discrimination.
– Treating people with HIV compassionately and those with AIDS with care.
The station commander, Lieutenant Colonel TS Tseole encouraged members to break the silence on gender-based violence to prevent uncertainty of the pandemic to their families.
