In an effort to address the issue of gender based violence, the Midrand Police Station’s female officers went to the squatter camps in Grand Central Midrand, as part of their ‘#Not In My Name’ campaign to hand out sandwiches and juice to the less fortunate.
The ‘#Not In My Name’ campaign saw Midrand officers extending a helping hand to the community while educating residents about gender-based violence.
The police believe that if men are also educated on gender based violence issues it will reduce the number of people crying out loud for help from abuse. However, in an effort to reduce the statistics of abuse, police went a milestone in educating communities about gender based violence.
The police took the liberty to also address the issue of gender-based violence with male community members while handing out food. Constable Eliot Mabulane, station spokesperson said since Women’s Month was still being celebrated all over the country, they saw it fit to go out and educate men about violence against women.
While speaking, Mabulane said: “Instead of having a mass function where we educate and speak to women, we saw it necessary to talk to men so that our men could understand women and their role in society.”
“Our main purpose is to educate our men to protect our women and also fight by joining hands together with the police as a community, and say no to men raising their hands towards women in order to prove that they were men. Men should protect, and for the sake of their dignity they have to protect all women including children even though this month is strictly for celebrating women,” the spokesperson added.
Before leaving, Mabulane thanked the female community members who joined hands with them and donated sandwiches and beverages to displaced people.
