As the country grapples with the challenge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the National Institute Community Development and Management (NICDAM) is a beacon of hope for victims.
In response to the psycho-social needs of society, NICDAM provides a number of services in areas such as victim empowerment, gender-based violence care and prevention, human trafficking, psychosocial support, as well as post violence care for victims.
“NICDAM is working closely with community-based organisations who provide direct services to adolescent girls and women who find themselves in abusive relationships. The empowering element of work is to reduce the risk of continuous or repeat victimisation by supporting women in decisions regarding their relationships and choices,” NICDAM Project Manager Annelize Roos said.
The programmes and services focus on making women aware of their own value and their ability to safeguard themselves and direct their own lives.
The organisation also creates platforms for men and boys where gender norms, fatherhood and the role of violence is explored.
Additionally, the organisation provides risk and vulnerability assessment for adolescent girls and as young women, trauma management and debriefing as well as therapeutic programmes for victims of crime, violence and trauma.
In the run up to the #100MenMarch, to be held on 10 July in Pretoria, NICDAM has called on men to speak out against violence against women and children.
The #100MenMarch is part of the centenary celebrations of former President Nelson Mandela and struggle stalwart Mama Albertina Sisulu who both committed their lives to the fight for the human rights of particularly women and children.
The march celebrates their lives but also seeks to raise awareness on the scourge of violence against women and children.
“As an organisation, we are aligning ourselves with the purpose of the march and we want to be part of the voice that will boldly declare that violence against women and children will not be tolerated. Although the call is for 100 men, NICDAM believes that all men in all communities should answer to this call and speak out loudly against violence against women and children,” Roos said.
She said NICDAM is a longstanding member of the National Victim Empowerment Management Team convened by the Department of Social Development and is also a member of a smaller Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Task Team to enhance the contribution of civil society to empower victims.
The National Emergency Response team (NERT) was established by the Department of Social Development through the Victim Empowerment Programme as a support structure for the Gender Based Violence Command Centre to provide support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence.
“The Response Team was established to provide psycho-social support in cases of victimisation of individuals, families or communities as a result of violence, including gender-based violence. The NERT team already provided 54 interventions reaching 6345 beneficiaries, from January 2017 until May 2018,” Roos said.
NICDAM has encouraged victims of gender-based violence who need assistance to contact the Gender Based Violence Command Centre on their toll free emergency line at 0800 428 428, or send a ‘please call me’ on *120*7867#.
Men who need support or advice are equally welcome to make use of the GBV command centre and will be served without prejudice.
The march will begin at Church Square in Tshwane at 10am and make its way to the southern lawns of the Union Buildings. – SAnews.gov.za
