Khayelitsha community stands united against GBV, femicide
To commemorate Youth Day, Khayelitsha religious leaders lead prayers for all affected gender-based violence and femicide, and called and men and young people to intervene against the scourge.
RELIGIOUS leaders and Khayelitsha community members held a prayer session and demonstration against gender-based violence and femicide which they said was engulfing the community.
The community said in commemorating June 16, they were calling on the youth, and in particular young men, to stand up and fight femicide.
Ward councillor Xolisa Ngwekazi said: “As men of Khayelitsha we have previously marched to the police station regarding gender based violence. There are many cases that have recently been reported, so we decided that today we should have a prayer session to pray for GBV and those that are committing these crimes.
“We are also praying for the youth, as today we are commemorating June 16, and most victims are the youth. Women and children must be protected and perpetrators must be given hefty sentences,” he said .
President of Lizalise Christ Ambassadors Organisation, Zanowabo Madlebe said in commemorating June 16 they called on the youth to stand up and fight femicide.
“Our aim is to ensure that women and children feel safe and are protected in our communities, especially victims that fear reporting such cases at the police station. We want them to know that we will be their voice and keep on fighting for justice to prevail for them.”
Community leader Thumeka Ngwexana said women and children continued to be targeted.
“We are hearing cases of gender based violence more often here in Khayelitsha, this shows that there’s a problem in our communities and we need to ensure that we find a solution to it. We are here to pray for the victims, their families and especially the youth, as they are the ones that are mostly affected,” she said.