The Mustadafin Foundation is advocating to work against GBV every day of the year, aiming to start with the youth from communities surrounding the organisation.
Cape Town, South Africa (12 December 2023) – “This mission isn’t confined to just the 16 Days of Activism. It’s a commitment we carry every single day of the year. Together we can undertake the ongoing journey to challenge these issues not only during the 16 days of activism but for 365 days of the year,” says Caroline Peters, an African feminist and human rights defender, speaking at the Mustadafin’s 16 Days of Activism event on Thursday, 07 December 2023. The intention of Mustadafin’s 16 Days of Activism event was to highlight the importance of addressing GBV in communities through preventative measures and by empowering survivors.
Mustadafin Director, Ghairunisa Johnstone Cassiem says she is well aware that most women in abusive relationships are afraid to speak up.
“Women stay silent and remain in abusive relationships for fear of being judged, embarrassed and believing that they somehow deserve it. Many people in abusive relationships don’t knowing what support avenues are available to them.”
Working with many communities around the Western Cape, Mustadafin has witnessed the vast extent to which GBV affects vulnerable communities.
“Our efforts to address GBV requires more than just advocacy and awareness, we need to rapidly implement a multitude of prevention strategies across the different demographics in society including women and youth – especially boys,” says Johnstone Cassiem.
Through many of their programmes, Mustadafin places a large emphasis on integrating GBV prevention within their youth programmes. Their ‘Boyhood’ programme focuses on guiding young men into adulthood while establishing positive behaviour and mindsets.
“Unfortunately, many of our boys’ role models in the communities are gang leaders and criminals. During school holidays boys experience more idle time where they can pick up bad behaviours that perpetuate GBV and abuse. This is also heightened by substance abuse.”
Mustadafin partnered with Caroline Peters who spoke at their 16 Days of Activism event. Peters agrees with the Mustadafin Foundation that the fight against GBV is not limited to the 16 days of Activism.
“GBV erodes community resilience and safety, amplifying the urgency to address its underlying causes. Recognizing GBV as a foundational issue, we advocate passionately for creating safer spaces.”
Peters has given input at Parliament on GBV laws and has trained magistrates, clinic staff and community leaders, on sensitivity towards survivors of sexual violence. Peters began working at the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in Manenberg when it was founded in 1999 and has been active in several organisations including Ilitha Labantu, which was the first women and children’s centre to be founded in a township, and the 1 000 Women Trust, an initiative to support women and children organisations.
“By integrating GBV education into school programmes, we can instil a greater sense of gender equality among youth. This is important has they will carry this attitude as a cultural norm into their adolescent years. This is how we start to initiate long term social change in communities,” adds Johnstone Cassiem.
For more information on how to you can be part of the Mustadafin, call 021 633 0010 or visit their website at mustadafin.org.za.
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