The abuse of women and children came under the spotlight last week during an awareness campaign specially called to enlighten the community.

It was organized by the Thohoyandou Victim Empowerment Programme (TVEP), Amnesty International and other stakeholders like SASA, the health department and Munna Ndi Nnyi Men’s Forum.

The campaign marked the close of Women’s Month and was held at the Mukula traditional royal palace. The function was preceded by a fun run from Mukula Ramboni and to the royal palace.

According to Mr Rendani Ligudu, TVEP’s Media/Events Coordinator, the campaign was to encourage community members to speak out on all sorts of abuse and not to wait for tragedies to happen. He said they chose Mukula as one of the hotspots for abuse after the death of four people in April this year. Ligudu said the campaign was to salute and celebrate women who sacrificed so much in order to see that everything went well in the family and the living conditions improving in the country. Issues pertaining to health like teenage pregnancy, how to apply for foster care, what real men do and how to reduce domestic violence were discussed. Amnesty International had representatives from Norway and Pretoria highlighted the community on human rights issues.

Amnesty International’s provincial coordinator, Mr Rogers Mukhwa, called upon the community to speak out about abuse and to report all instances of abuse. He said the community is suffering even though there are facilities that could assist them when they have problems. He urged communities to partner government departments if they were stop abuse and to assist the vulnerable children.

Vhamusanda Vho Nkhwathiseni Takalani said incidents such as the one that happened in his village in April could be averted if people spoke out and did not keep quiet while abuse was happening around them. “It is everybody’s responsibility to look after our neighbours and check what is happening to your neighbours; problems should be tackled at an early stage. Gender-based violence could be overcome if we all stand up together with the police and fight it vigorously,” he said.