What is the problem we are trying to address?
• In South Africa in particular the restrictions around Covid-19 have made it even more difficult for survivors of domestic abuse to access the support they need. Gender stereotypes and patriarchy continue to perpetuate harmful practices such as domestic abuse meaning the problem is only getting worse.
• The changes made to individual cases are often personal and immediate solutions. There are tens of thousands of women who need help (the UN estimates 137 women are killed by a member of their family each day). There needs to be a real community focused solution to the root of the problem which is not only immediate but long lasting and can be implemented by the community itself. This is where safe spaces created by Mother’s Union comes in particularly with body mapping.
How can you help?
Donations made by members and supporters will help our fight against domestic violence and to support survivors heal their trauma. Beneficiaries will be supported and trained to spot the signs of GBV such as domestic abuse, identify the most vulnerable and signpost them to support. Community and religious leaders will be involved to actively combat this at all levels including workshops such as those teaching valuable tools like body mapping.
Mothers’ Union will:
• Engage the community by working with church and community leaders to confront the stigma associated with GBV and challenge gender stereotypes which help to perpetuate this violence.
• Empower 4,225 women with the skills and knowledge to challenge the abuse and access support around the effects of gender-based violence on themselves and their families
• Provide trauma-informed safe spaces for survivors of GBV to heal and address the impact of their violence while reconciling the damaging effects it has with perpetrators within the community.