To win the battle against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), everyone should be aware of the National Strategic Plan on gender-based violence and femicide (NSP on GBVF) and the issues it attempts to address. 
This is according to End GBVF Collective Communications Coordinator Candice Ludick, who spoke to Vuk’uzenzele at the end of the Second Presidential Summit on GBVF held recently.
“It is clear that knowledge about the NSP on GBVF is inadequate amongst all implementers. Funding and resources required for successful implementation is yet another barrier, which will hopefully be overcome through partnerships across sectors,” she says.
End GBVF Collective was established in 2020 by the United Nations (UN) Women in collaboration with the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD). This was after the NSP on GBVF came into effect.
It operates entirely online and is an informal and voluntary platform that is open to all partners involved in GBVF response in South Africa. The platform creates space for the government, civil society, development agencies, and private citizens to think and plan together.
“End GBVF Collective is a volunteer network that exists to implement the NSP on GBVF. The purpose is to create a space for those working on the GBVF response, across all sectors, to come together to think and plan to strengthen the multi-sectoral response to the GBVF epidemic,” she explains.
After the summit, Ludick is optimistic that people will recognise the value of collaboration across sectors and join forces to implement the NSP on GBVF as a matter of urgency.
“We are two and half years into the implementation of the strategy, an ideal time to accelerate and amplify our efforts,” she says.
Help on social media
End GBVF Collective Social Media Manager Dimakatso Mudau says its social media followers have received valuable assistance and referrals by using various platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to get information.
“If you need help, you can send us a direct message using these social media platforms and we will find a way to help you,” she says.
To find out more about End GBVF Collective, you can visit www.gbvf.org.za
Individuals who want to be part of the platform can also sign up on the website to join one of the six pillars of the NSP on GBV that best represents their interests at https://bit.ly/end GBVF
For enquiries, you can email whitney.leje@women.gov.za.
Did you know?
The NSP on GBV is centered
around six pillars, namely:
- Accountability, coordination and leadership
- Prevention and rebuilding the social cohesion
- Justice, safety and protection
- Response, care, support and healing
- Economic power
- Research and information management
Helpful numbers
If you are a survivor of GBV and need help, contact the following;
- South African Police Service: 10111
- GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428, or send a ‘Please Call Me’ to *120*7867# or SMS ‘help’ to 31531. A Skype Line is also available for members of the deaf community (add ‘Helpme GBV’ to your Skype contacts). The centre operates 24 hours, seven days a week.
- Rape Crisis is a 24 hours service meant for survivors of rape and sexual assault. For assistance call the following numbers, English- 012 447 9762, isiXhosa- 021 361 9085, Afrikaans- 021 633 9229.
- National Shelter Movement of South Africa helps GBV survivors who are seeking shelter. Call 0800 001 005.
- South African Depression and Anxiety Group is a 24 hours suicide helpline dial 0800 456 789.
- Lifeline supports for victims of physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse. Call 0800 150 150.
- People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) provides shelter services for GBV victims and their children, counselling and legal advice. Call 011 642 4345 / 6, or 076 694 5911 log on to www.powa.co.za/POWA
- Childline South Africa provides services for abused children and their families. Dial 116 toll-free or visit www.childlinesa.org.za.
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