16 Days of Activism: Over R645 million in DSD support for women and children

As we commemorate the beginning of the national 16 Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children, the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) is proud to be leading the whole-of-society response to the abuse of women and children.

The department has prioritized the development and protection of the province’s 1.7-million children and 2.1-million women beyond just this 16 day commemorative period.

Through the Children and Families programme and the Victim Empowerment sub-programme (VEP), the department provides key services to women and children at risk 365 days a year.

The Children & Families and VEP receive a combined budget of R654.2-million (up R14-million from the previous year), which is the second largest funding allocation.

Our budget has allowed the department to initiate truly innovative and exciting projects and expand services across the province;

The Department recently launched the 10-bed facility, the Safehaven in Noordhoek, which brings to 16 the number of shelters in the Western Cape for abused women and children.

• Our 100 bed Khuseleka Centre (the Saartjie Bartman Shelter) expanded and launched a new residential wing and drug treatment facility, that allows it to treat addicted abuse victims and FASD babies.
• The Office of the MEC launched the Social Makeover Project (SMP), a project that targeted 20 unskilled and unemployed women to complete an intensive 10 week personal development and empowerment programme.

During this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign the Department and MEC Albert Fritz, will embark on numerous events to commemorate the period. Some of the events will include;

• A public awareness drive at the Cape Town Train Station (taxi platform) on Tuesday (29-11-2016), with social workers.
• A focus on abused people with disabilities with the Cape Mental Health organization.
• A focus on the role of men and fathers, with public events in Mitchells Plain.

We can end the abuse of women and children if we continue to work together and build partnerships with communities. The public can report any cases of abuse of women and children by approaching our social workers at regional or local offices, or by contacting the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.