Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae is scaling up efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the province by putting men at the forefront of fighting against the scourge.
The Premier defined GBVF as a pandemic that leaves families destroyed, souls battered, and tears shed.
“We aim to intensify the fight against GBVF through education, community activism, empowerment, law enforcement, counselling and the provision of shelters across the province,” she explained.
She added that more resources will be directed to Thuthuzela Care Centres, safe houses and shelters.
Furthermore, she said more qualified personnel will be employed in the centres to provide professional help to survivors of GBVF and support will also be offered to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual plus (LGBTQIA+) community.
“We have partnered with various non-profit organisations (NPOs) to report activities of GBVF and implement advocacy programmes that educate about dangers of GBVF. As the Premier, I will be closely monitoring the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF,” she explained.
The Premier has appointed MEC for Finance, Tourism and Economic Development, Ketso Makume, to be a political champion of fighting against GBVF in the province.
The MEC will ensure that male public servants, religious communities, sports organisations, civic associations, women and youth organisations embark on activities across the province to encourage men to play a significant role in protecting women and children.
Fighting against the GBVF pandemic
Meanwhile Ramajoko Mothupi a member of Majitaaa Saturday, an NPO established in 2023 for men who saw a dire need to get directly involved in fighting against the GBVF pandemic.
Mothupi believes that GBVF can be defeated if all join hands to combat it.
“GBVF has been made a responsibility of women over the past years because it has always been women who are engaged in programmes that deals with it. It is about time that men help find solutions to this problem,” Mothupi said.
He also encouraged men to be present fathers in their children’s lives, boys and girls alike, so that the children do not seek love and attention from perpetrators who might prey on their vulnerability.
Majitaaa Saturday exists to build a new society that embraces the respect for human rights and builds the moral fibre of our society.
It is open to all men above the age of 18 years and consists of about 450 members, including teachers, law enforcement officers, the clergy, psychologists and social workers who volunteer their services.
It currently offers services in Dewetsdorp, Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, Bloemfontein, and other parts of the province. ¥
For more information, follow @Majitaaa Saturday on Facebook.
You can also call Pakiso Makhanya: 0833434517 Gift Slingile: 061 995 0250 Setshaba Marumo: 082 227 6123
The Free State Premier’s Office can be reached on 051 405 5799 Email: premier@fspremier.gov.za
Website: www.premier.fs.gov.za
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