MEC welcomes the provision of 6 Public Works properties to be used as shelters | Western Cape Government

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MEC welcomes the provision of 6 Public Works properties to be used as shelters

4 March 2020

The MEC for Social Development in the Western Cape, Sharna Fernandez welcomes the announcement made earlier today by the National Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia De Lille, that six government-owned properties in the Western Cape will be made available to be used as safe havens for women and children.

These properties will be situated in the Garden Route, West Coast and the Central Karoo.

As the leading provincial department addressing gender-based violence in the Western Cape, the Department of Social Development (DSD) has been mandated to facilitate a multi-sectoral process to address the scourge of violence against women and children in the Western Cape.

MEC Fernandez said: “I welcome this initiative as it will go a long way to ensuring the safety of women and children who have been abused. This will expand our safety net for the vulnerable, particularly in our rural areas. This intergovernmental partnership is essential in finding solutions. Gender-based violence sees no race, ethnicity, class or political affiliation. It is these types collaborative approaches that will enable us to make a tangible difference 365 days a year for the people of our Province.”

In 2019, 4649 women were reported to have been raped in the Western Cape of which 205, were between the ages of 0-9 years.

“Today solidifies our commitment to 365 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children in the Western Cape, and we look forward to more such initiatives. We will continue to implement a whole of society approach  to reduce the murder rate, the cases of femicide, GBV, domestic violence, and human trafficking,” says Minister Fernandez.

Media Enquiries: 

Joshua Covenant Chigome

Spokesperson for the Minister of Social Development, Minister Sharna Fernandez

Tel: 021 483 9217

Cell: 083 661 4949

Email: Joshua.chigome@westerncape.gov.za­