In putting the magazine together our focus is always to respond to the question: What are doing to #EndGBVF? This edition is packed with exciting stories and articles on how the sector is rolling up its sleeves and is hard at work in response to this. This edition focuses on the underlying factors and intersectionalities driving GBVF. Bystanderism is one such enabler. Bystanderism is a phenomenon where individuals who witness acts of violence or harassment, or are aware of such incidents, choose not to intervene or take action to help the victim or survivor. As we gear up for 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we call on our community to join us in an End Bystanderism campaign #BeAnActiveAlly #EndGBVF. Follow us on social media @collectiveactionmagazine. Welcome back! It is a pleasure to share with you our 4th Edition Included in this edition are lessons learnt by National Institute Community Development and Management (NICDAM) at Osizweni, a large township in KwaZulu Natal, where the GBVF crisis intersects with the HIV crisis. With the high prevalence of HIV cases and a GBVF hotspot, NICDAM has introduced a collaborative multisectoral programme to address these issues.
Mental Wellness Initiative also shares its summary research findings on healing modalities available in the South African context and the barriers that inhibit healing and behavioural change. Interestingly and shockingly, fear of being judged by others (stigma) provided an enormous barrier to accessing services with 71.6% of respondents rating it as a “big barrier”. A significant driver of GBV is the disempowerment of women. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in South Africa has assisted over 150 refugees and asylum-seekers who are survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and are receiving financial assistance from intervention programmes. Idaya and Dela are beneficiaries, and are now successful business owners through this assistance programme. They share their stories and journeys, which we hope will inspire our readers to donate towards this initiative.
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November 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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