“By involving the community in the decision-making process, there is a greater sense of ownership and commitment to
the solutions developed.”
For example, the Soul City Institute uses edutainment to raise awareness of GBVF and promotes healthy living while dealing with issues that come with toxic masculinity. The organisation utilises various mediums to reach millions of South Africans across the country, leveraging the power of storytelling to challenge harmful gender norms while promoting gender equality. The community structure is one of the most powerful tools of the anti-violence movement. While communities can shame, victim-blame, or prescribe harmful gender roles, they can also empower women, collaborate on prevention and intervention, help to challenge preconceived ideas, and collectively shape new norms of gender democracy. The sad reality however, is that in a country where very few trust the police, communities have resorted to vigilantism to "fill the gap" left by unsatisfactory law enforcement.
An example of such an initiative is the Ndlovu Care Group in Limpopo, which is a community-led initiative. The NGO provides support for survivors of GBV, including counseling, legal aid, and safe accommodation. The Group also runs community awareness campaigns and engagements, where men and boys discuss issues of GBVF. This approach has built trust and created a safe space for survivors. Mobilizing communities to become actively involved can promote a sense of belonging and well- being, help them to set goals and improve their skills, and most importantly, give them hope and a sense of purpose while addressing issues of public concern and creating an alternative for themselves. In addition to community-led initiatives, some programmes focus on education and prevention.
June 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
37
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