She Unit Civil Organization (SUCO) welcomes the launch of Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund on 4 February, by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The fund is a response to the crisis of gender based violence in the country.
In response to the launch of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide Response Fund, the Delmas based She Unit Civil Organization (SUCO) spoke to the Highveld Chronicle pointing out that, “Resources from the fund must be utilized to identify the root causes of gender based violence and not only seek to only help the victims of GBV and Femicide.
The response fund should be used to address the root causes of gender based violence. Men’s behavioral disorders is the root cause of gender based violence, thus only giving attention to victims will not solve the problem.” SUCO went on to say that, “Men must be part of this programme, actually they should have more mentorship as to how they should treat woman. Most men need rehabilitation and correctional programme where their behavioral disorder will be fixed.”
Bongani Mncube, a Delmas victim of gender based violence expressed her gratitude for the launch of the fund. In a comment, Mncube said, “I am happy that the government has finally done something to fight GBV however this is not the end as we still continue to be abused and killed by our men, so more needs to be done at a local level to see that these funds reach our communities to assist those who are helping us to do their work.”
“A help disk should be established where professionals such as psychologist will be able give proper counseling to victims of GBV. A directorate of specialists should also be set-up to handle cases of GBV and also the victims. The proposed funds will go a long way in fighting this pandemic of GBV in Mpumalanga and across the country. Most of the victims in GBV cases are dependent on the very same perpetrators who victimize them. SUCO will establish Victim empowerment programmes as an approach to facilitate access to a range of services for all people who have individually or collectively suffered harm, trauma and or material loss through violence, crime, natural disaster, human accident and or through socio-economic conditions,” SUCO concluded.
During the virtual fund raising event for the private sector, Ramaphosa had said that, “The first phase of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide Response Fund fulfils a promise we made to the women and children of this country. It was a promise to work together to end the violence perpetrated by men against women and children in our country.”
Cyril Ramaphosa also indicated that, “We also lobbied for gender responsive trade policies to be developed as part of the African Continental Free Trade Area. As a country, South Africa has adopted a policy of 40% preferential public procurement for women-owned enterprises, and we are promoting a minimum target of 30% for the region.”
