Andrew
Online Reporter
Women empowerment is integral to the sustainable eradication of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Jennifer Mhlanga has said.
Speaking during the national commemorations of the 16 days of activism against GBV, and official commissioning of the Epworth Safe Market and One-Stop-Centre for GBV survivors, the deputy Minister said Government will continue supporting women empowerment programmes as a means of eradicating GBV.
“Gender-based violence is a social ill, which needs to be eradicated and as such we are endlessly making efforts to implement prevention and response programmes including awareness-raising programmes, initiatives aimed at strengthening the referral system, establishment of safe working spaces for women, establishment of safe shelters and One-Stop-Centre,” she said.
“Economic empowerment of women is integral to any sustainable approach in eradicating violence against women, as studies show that women who control their own resources are less vulnerable to being victimised because of their gender.
The year’s global commemorations are running under the theme: ‘End Violence against Women and Girls-No to Child Marriages’.
Online Reporter