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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
MATABELELAND South’s first centre for victims of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), Mudi wa Pfulufhelo (Home of Hope) Safe Haven has been officially opened in Beitbridge to cater for the country’s southern region.
The organisation’s director, Mrs Babongile Mudau-Gora, said they are offering psycho-social support, counselling and skills training to abused women and children by bringing them into a place where they are far from their abusers.
“Mudi wa Pfulufhelo is a safe haven for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence that get abused and have nowhere else to go. As a social worker, I once worked as a volunteer for an organisation that handled GBV survivors during which I used to interact with quite a number of them as they came in for counselling services, but unfortunately, they would return to the same places of abuse and it really pained me so much,” she said.
“For instance, you have a girl child who would have been abused by her uncle or father with the family deciding not to report to the police, and that victim is taken back to that same home thus exposing them to the danger of being abused again. I therefore saw the need for a safe haven for such people.”
She said although the facility does not accommodate abused men, counselling services were available for them.
During their stay at the shelter, the women will be given access to vocational training skills so that upon their release they are able to do various income generating projects.
“I realised that organisations offering services for GBV survivors were not offering a complete package hence I identified that gap in terms of service delivery. At Mudi wa Pfulufhelo Safe Haven, we offer trauma counselling to victims and we keep them for a period of three to six months depending on their situation and individual needs. Ideally, we want them to get ample time to heal,” Mrs Mudau-Gora said.
She said survivors of GBV are offered technical skills through small income generating project and so far, they have four survivors of GBV who are staying with their children.
Mudi wa Pfulufhelo was officially launched on Friday during a colourful ceremony held in the border town. Beitbridge East MP Cde Albert Nguluvhe, the Town Clerk, Mr Loud Ramakgapola and local councillors attended the event.— @mashnets
Online Reporter