Women’s double burden against GBV and Covid-19

Why are we fundraising?

Khetiwe Kingston, a South African student at UWCSA (Waterford Kamhlaba in eSwatini), has launched an urgent campaign to raise money to support victims of Gender Based Violence whose number has seen a sharp increase since the commencement of the 21 day lockdown on 27 March 2020 in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The brutal rape, mutilation and murder of a 14-year-old Siphiwe Sibeko, in Soweto at the beginning of April has once again highlighted the unacceptable levels of Gender Based Violence in South Africa. A few days before this monstrous crime was committed, a 75-year-old woman was brutally raped and strangled by suspects posing as soldiers in Pietermaritzburg.

Police Minister Bheki Cele announced that the reported gender-based violence statistics had increased to an alarming rate of 2,320 complaints during first week of lockdown. As social and economic pressures grow, this figure continues to rise each week. it is estimated to be at least 37% higher than the weekly average of the 87,290 domestic violence cases reported to police during 2019.

Recognising the global surge in gender-based violence during this time, the UN Secretary-General,António Guterres, saying that : it should be made a key part of Covid-19 plans:

“We know lockdowns and quarantines are essential to suppressing Covid-19, but they can trap women with abusive partners. For many women and girls, the threat of gender-based violence looms largest where they should be the safest: in their homes".

He went on to underline the importance of womens's rights and freedoms being essential to strong and resilient societies, and said that:

“Together, we can and must prevent violence everywhere, from war zones to people’s homes, as we work to beat Covid-19.”

Financial objective of the Campaign

The campaign aims to raise a minimum of $13 300 to support women and children who are victims of Gender Based Violence.

They desperately need your help.

How will the funds be used?

100% of the money raised will be donated to the Centre for Community Justice and Development(CCJD), a non-profit organisation which is overwhelmed by an increasing number of GBV cases in the areas where it operates during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CCJD provides support services to 15 community-based advice offices in KwaZulu Natal. These offices provide legal advice, mediation, counselling and educational services to women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence. The main issues addressed are domestic violence and child abuse. The funds raised in this campaign will help respond to such cases to ensure that women and children are protected, healthy and safe.