The Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, on Friday, 28 November, led the departmental commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children at the Piano Sports Ground in Drieziek 4.
The event highlighted the critical services offered at the province’s 27 designated Clinical Forensic Medical Services facilities and Thuthuzela Care Centres, which play a key role in responding to gender-based violence and supporting survivors.
Despite the rain, community members and stakeholders came out in large numbers to honour victims who lost their lives to gender-based violence. Attendees were treated to lunch and goodie bags as part of the day’s programme.
Orange Farm is served by the Stretford CHC Clinical Forensic Medicine facility, which continues to see high numbers of cases involving sexual offences, domestic violence and intimate partner violence – with women accounting for 90% of survivors.
According to Gauteng Health, the previous financial year recorded 11 069 sexual offences, 6 595 domestic violence cases and 6 525 intimate partner violence cases across designated facilities. Of the survivors who sought help, 33.3% (3 678) reported their sexual offence more than 72 hours after the incident, while 1 802 (17%) tested HIV positive.
The commemoration also featured public awareness activities, health and wellness services and discussions focused on the support available for survivors of gender-based violence. Residents were able to receive health check-ups and medication for various illnesses.
Images: Sister Fikile
