It is saddening to know that amidst the global pandemic, South Africans are faced with a devastating social ill that has grown to become the country’s second pandemic, gender-based violence.
We are well within the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence and the chilling factor is that statistics and reports indicate that GBV cases spiked during 2020.
When South Africa went into lockdown, due to Covid-19, many feared that women and children would be subjected to more violence and abuse and, unfortunately, the fears became a reality as more and more cases were reported during Levels 5 and 4 of the lockdown.
Various law enforcement agencies, organisations, individuals and communities have rolled up their sleeves in an effort to tackle, combat and vanquish the horrendous and traumatic challenge that is GBV.
When addressing and trying to solve a problem, one often has to analyze and dissect it in order to, among other things, identify all the contributing factors from its infant to advances stages.
Physical and visible scars are among the signs and side effects of GBV, but one of the more silent yet painful and dangerous side effects is trauma.
Trauma is simply defined as the response to deeply distressing and disturbing event/s that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope. Among other things, trauma causes one to have feelings of helplessness and diminishes their sense of self.
During GBV awareness campaigns, victims of are often encouraged to report and open cases against their abusers and to follow the cases through to ensure the perpetrators face the strong arm of the law and allow for justice to be served and witnessed.
Though this is good and goes a long way in dealing with the dreadful social ill, it has little effect and impact on the trauma victims are often left to deal with it alone.
It is for this reason that Imperfect Moms Foundation (IMF) partnered with 1000Women-1 Voice organisation. The 1000 Women Trust is a Women’s Organisation that aims to raise awareness around Gender-Based Violence, rape, and abuse and mobilise resources. These resources make it possible to assist women-led organisations with grants and skills development. This enables them to support, raise awareness, and furnish opportunities for survivors of gender-based violence.
Much like IMF, the organisation empowers, inspires, educates and equips women.
IMF is an NPO which also serves as a support group for young mothers.
At IMF, mothers are able to vent, ask and give advice; sharing their greatest joys and deepest fears that come with motherhood.
Mothers and women are motivated, encouraged to be independent financially, and emotionally, mentally and physically fit.
Among other things, IMF’s aim is to bring about change in a society where women are divided and abused.
It is time for all forces to join hands, never turn a blind eye, get rid of the ‘not my business’ attitude and finally conquer GBV.
Through the partnership, IMF has become a Vent Buddy with 1000 Women Trust Organisation for the 16 Days of Activism campaign…16 Days, 16 Skills.
They do trauma training on WhatsApp which takes about two weeks to complete, the course can be completed in one’s own time. This equips a person with tools on how to support a victim of GBV and where to get help.
The training programme is designed by trauma experts and the skills and topics covered include trauma, safe space and listening skills.
Such partnerships and initiatives are needed not only for the course of the 16 Days of Activism but throughout the entire 365 days of the year.
It is time for all forces to join hands, never turn a blind eye, get rid of the ‘not my business’ attitude and finally conquer GBV.
In the year 2016, the founders of IMF established an initiative calling for the unity of women in tackling social development issues and the pressures of being a young mother. Later In 2017, Imperfect Moms foundation was later instituted by Onthatile Modise and Ipeleng Mathiba-joined by other remarkable women who wish to make an impact in their environments and in the socio-economic status of the country for women.
