Day 100
GBVF was declared a national crisis in 2019. It is a whole of society problem that requires collective action to solve it. 100-Day Challenges create an enabling environment for frontline workers to overcome the systemic obstacles they face through intense collaboration, rapid innovation, and disciplined execution. In addition to the tangible impact, the lessons learned and relationships formed during the process pave the way to long-term sustainable solutions to some of society’s greatest problems.
Seven teams across the country have been working on 100-Day Challenges to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) since 1 April 2022. This is only the beginning of a multi-sectoral drive to implement the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide (NSPGBVF).
Ambassadors from each of the six NSP GBVF “Pillar” working groups of End GBVF Collective worked alongside local teams to improve knowledge of the outcomes of the NSP and facilitate their implementation at municipal level. These are the initial results:
PILLAR 1: Accountability, coordination and leadership.
Rapid Response Teams have been established in Sol Plaatje resulting in improved response times & increased reporting.
PILLAR 2: Prevention & rebuilding social cohesion.
Learners in Tshwane have been enabled to play an active role in GBV prevention at school through child-centred GBV prevention strategies.
PILLAR 3: Justice, safety & protection.
In Bloemfontein, the backlog in maintenance cases has been resolved. In Tzaneen, the rate of withdrawn cases involving minors has decreased.
PILLAR 4: Response, care, support & healing.
In Matjhabeng, there has been a 300% increase in victims & survivors of GBV accessing legal & psycho-social support services.
PILLAR 5: Economic power.
Exxarro have popularised their sexual harassment policies & offered self-defense classes to womxn in mining in Limpopo & Mpumalanga.
PILLAR 6: Research & Information Management.
Garden Route District is ready to trial an app that allows social workers to be assigned to child sexual & related offences cases at 1st reporting.
In a mere 100-Days, the teams have been able to achieve impressive results. We will be able to share more details about what has been learned through this process in the coming weeks as they develop their sustainability plans that will be shared with the nation during a webinar at the end of August.
To apply to become an Ambassador for NSP GBVF 100-Day Challenges in your district, please email [email protected] or WhatsApp 060 715 3607.
For questions or to arrange an interview with any of the team leaders, please contact Candice Ludick on [email protected] or 060 715 3607.