In the fight against the second pandemic of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, will on Wednesday - 09 December, address the Inaugural Pastors’ Wives Conference at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng.
The conference is part of the 16 Days for No Violence against Women and Children campaign which is commemorated between 25 November and 10 December under the theme; “Women’s Economic Justice for Non-violent and Non-Sexist South Africa”.
This campaign seeks to mobilise all South Africans and social partners across the country to play their part by partnering with Government and civil society to address GBVF and its rippling effects.
On a daily basis, many women and girls in South Africa are abused while others are brutally murdered by their intimate partners who should protect them against the scourge of GBVF.
The Department of Social Development works with variety of stakeholders and Faith Based Organisations to help with addressing social ills including gender-based violence. It is in this context that the Deputy Minister will have a robust engagement with Pastors' Wives who occupy influential positions of leadership in their places of worship.
This conference is held with an understanding that Pastors’ Wives can assist to spread the message of hope against gender-based violence within their respective places of worship.
The Department also leads Pillar Four of Government’s National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide which promotes Response, Care, Support and Healing for victims and those who are affected by this scourge of gender-based violence. In addition, Pillar Four is focusing on rendering shelter and psychosocial services for victims of crime and violence through a multi-sectoral approach.
The strengthening of Government and Civil Society oriented response, care, support and psychosocial support services remain important for the implementation of Pillar Four. The strengthening of community and institutional response further enhances the provision of integrated care and support for victims of gender-based violence survivors and their families.
In 2014, the Department of Social Development launched a 24-hour Gender Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) to deal with various forms of abuse including indecent assault, physical violence, rape, abandoned children and verbal abuse. The GBVCC have also attended to amongst others, cases of stalking, physical and emotional abuse, sexual harassment, forced marriages, forced prostitution, elderly citizen abuse and bullying.
The success of the GBVCC can be attributed to the fact that it is a comprehensive, integrated system that provides immediate, consistent, coordinated and timely support to victims of gender-based violence. The GBVCC toll free number to call to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV).
Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone. Alternatively, callers may also send an SMS to 31531 or Skype through HelpMeGbv for assistance.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover Pastors' Wives Dialogue planned as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Time: 09h00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng Province
Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Makhosazana Mavuso on 072 732 9381 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Media enquiries may be forwarded to Ms Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
