MASISIKUME (‘STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION’) – Addressing gender based violence Umkhanyakude District, South Africa
South Africa is facing a problem of gender-based violence, where many women live in fear of rape and violence at the hands of partners. Many find it difficult to negotiate safe sex without feeling threatened. This prevents women from protecting themselves from pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. As a result many rapes are not reported and counselling services are not accessed by those in need, particularly poorer women who also face barriers trying to access the justice system and public health care services.
South Africa has the second highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the world; one in seven of its population live with the disease. Umkhanyakude is one of the most disadvantaged regions in the country where 79% of people live in poverty.
AIMS
- To enable health and social care service providers to protect vulnerable women and girls
- To bring about positive changes in attitude and behaviour of men, reducing the incidence of gender based violence
- To give women the rights and freedom to access quality public services, including HIV/AIDS services
- To encourage communities to take an active role in monitoring genderbased violence
- To work with traditional leaders and councils to raise awareness of women’s rights and bring in policies and legislation for women’s and girls’ rights
- To inform national and international campaigns so more action can be taken to help those in need.
The project, located in Chris Hani municipality of Umkanhayukde, started in July 2007, and is supported by the UK’s Department for International Development