The national lockdown was announced by SA President, Cyril Ramaposa in an effort to curb the spread of Coronavirus and to keep everyone safe. However, for some people, the 21 days lockdown means that they will be victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). According to Bheki Cele, Police Minister, thousands of calls had been made to the Saps GBV hotline in the first week of the lockdown.
The Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation has vowed to offer online psychological support to victims of gender-based violence during the nationwide lockdown. The vow comes in the birth month of Mrwetyana, who was raped and beaten to death on the 8th of August 8 at the Clareinch post office in Cape Town.
The service is expected to be run by a qualified psychologist daily between 9 am and 4 pm for the rest of April.”We aim to continue raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) even during the lockdown period, as some people are more vulnerable now, stuck in their homes with perpetrators. We will be focusing on the foundation’s three key pillars, namely: prevention, support and leadership development, “said the foundation’s spokesperson Mambulele Buso.
The foundation has also stopped all public events and campaigns planned for the month of April, instead, they will make use of online services in a bid to abide with lockdown regulations and will be distributing safety information, including safe houses, information on GBV prevention and support organizations in each province.
