Social Development
- What programmes is his Department presenting in August to address the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) and (b) what plans is his Department working on to avoid further escalation of GBV?
a) During August 2025, 51 programmes in 25 municipal districts focusing on GBV prevention for youth, women, LGBTQIA+, the elderly and people with disabilities and men were delivered by partner NPO service organisations, DSD’s local offices and facilities. In addition to this, two GBV ambassador groups were launched in August which is bringing the total number of GBV Ambassador programmes to thirteen. GBV ambassadors are trained volunteers who provide information about support services available to residents for the intervention and prevention of GBV. The ambassadors also assist in connecting persons at risk of GBV or who have become victims of GBV with the necessary support services.
b) The Department offers the following Victim Empowerment Services to prevent GBV and support the victims of Gender Based Violence:
- Social Service organisations: DSD subsidises 19 social service organisations rendering social work services including psycho-social support services; educational workshops in communities and awareness-raising. Some of these organisations render services in specific Family Violence Courts and in 10 Thuthuzela Care Centres: with containment; assistance with protection orders; referral to social work services including rendering of psycho-social support service; referral to organisations rendering services to older persons. Other social service organisations focus areas include services in specific Sexual Offences Courts: with containment; assistance with process; referral to social work services including rendering of psycho-social support services and referral to organisations rendering services to older persons.
- DSD also subsidises 25 GBV Shelters. Dependent on criteria, these shelters can accommodate at risk elderly victims of gender-based violence; and render social work services including psycho-social support and referral to other specialised services for older persons.
- Educational Workshops: Contribution to NPOs rendering educational workshops in communities on gender-based violence; referral to stakeholders.
- DSD is coordinating the Provincial Strategy on the Prevention of Gender Based Violence in the province and all Provincial Departments are participants in the strategy. The high prevalence of GBV in our country necessitates a whole of government approach, and each department focused on their area of responsibility.
