“My name is Kenalemang Patricia Maphutse and I am a GBV survivor and the founder of Whoamiwith #Kenalemang initiative. I am a woman who experienced abuse for 18 years in marriage. I am a proud mother of two handsome men and a Director at SandileSiya Enterprise.” A PERSONAL STORY OF OVERCOMING ABUSE
Let me acknowledge this wonderful opportunity to showcase my dream and vision when it comes to GBV in our country, the dreadful disease that kills women and children. The main challenges of GBV in South Africa are lack of government action in legal implementation, pervasive patriarchal culture, attitudes, and widespread poverty. Homicide, suicide, injury, shock, disability, sleeping disorders, reproductive problems, and emotional, psychological, and social issues increase gender inequalities. Domestic abuse affects both men and women with women suffering at a higher rate and men being less likely to report due to stigma, shame, fear of not being believed. With all that mentioned, as an individual who has been to various platforms to showcase my vision, it is for us to come together as a nation to put an end to this dreadful pandemic that is killing the women and children of South Africa. GBV starts from our broken families, unhealed abuse, and untreated narcissistic behaviour as a generational curse that moves from generation to generation due to lack of support and reliable information that deprives us from reaching out and seeking help, lack of information and societal stigma.
My motto is women are powerful, women are influential, and anything that a woman puts her mind to, she will do. I am currently in the North West town of Potchefstroom. Our last workshop was held by the Department of Communication and Digital Technology and Department of Social Development, where it was brought to our attention that Potchefstroom is a red flag when it comes to GBV and we are number one in all nine provinces, seventh in the country and 17th in the world. MASTER
I am aiming to start a support group for victims and survivors to maintain a healthy relationship and stable mental health, working together with our Department of Social Development and Crisis Centre around the province.
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November 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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