Gauteng government urges women to protect a girl child 

19 August 2016

In celebration of Women’s Month, the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD) together with the provincial Health Department, Ekurhuleni Municipality and Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) held a Women’s Dialogue at Moroka Hall in Daveyton, yesterday.

The Gauteng government has urged mothers and teachers to look after girl children, and to give them the necessary support in order to evade social ills such as teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and human trafficking.

Speaking to women and girl children, Gauteng Social Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza said earlier in the morning she visited Theodorah Ndaba Shelter, which is a shelter for abused women where she met eight (8) abused women who are now being empowered with skills to start a new life.

“This month we are celebrating the freedom that women in 1956 fought for. As we empower women, there are young girls who need to learn the values of being a woman. It is so important for mothers and teachers to teach young girls of gender based violence and various social ills affecting women,” said Mayathula-Khoza.

“We need to also teach our girl children to refrain from Blessers; your Blessers should be your parents,” she added.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development funds more than 2500 NPOs such as Sechaba Community Care and Ithemba Rape and Trauma Centre to deal with issues that affect women and offer them counselling. 

“Let’s be part of a social movement against rape in our society,” said Mayathula-Khoza encouraging the community to protect women and children.

The MEC further encouraged school going children to refrain from drugs. “Don’t depend on drugs. You must acquire as much education as you can, it is never too late to learn,” said Mayathula-Khoza.  

Issued by Mbangwa Xaba on behalf of Gauteng Department of Social Development, 19 August 2016