With 56% of domestic abuse occurring in Cape Town, the Mustadafin Foundation is working actively and closely with SAPS and the community to end violence against women and children in the community while running their annual anti abuse and violence campaign for the 16 Days of Activism against the abuse of women and children. This year’s theme is Peace Begins at Home: End Violence! Empower Women and the campaign includes a 5 set programme to deal with abuse of vulnerable groups.

The foundation will be collaborating with SAPS on not only creating awareness of abuse and violence but working to alleviate the community of these circumstances by distributing pamphlets, hosting talks and educating people about abuse.

“We are partnering with SAPS and the community to spread awareness about abuse and violence against vulnerable groups as it affects everyone and every community. These groups include not only women but children, the disabled and elderly who need special assistance. The Mustadafin Foundation is attempting to bring this to them and encourage people to live with these conditions and overcome them,” says Mustadafin Foundation director, Ghairunisa Johnstone.

Abuse begins at home where the youth are nurtured into their abusive roles. The campaign aims to remind women that they are the nurturers of the household who socialise the youth into the roles they grow into. Their main focus is the youth as children are more vulnerable and need special attention to deal and overcome abuse.

“Tafelsig and Delft are the main areas where children are raped and abducted. It is happening in your home not only your neighbour’s home. Our children are going missing, our children are on drugs, our children are being raped and our children are being abused,” says Johnstone.

The five set programme kicked off on Tuesday, 25 November 2014, International Day of No Violence against Women. The second phase of the campaign commenced on International Day for the Disabled Wednesday, 3 December 2014, while the second activation will take place in Mitchells Plain where the foundation will create awareness about abuse and violence against people with disabilities.

On Thursday 4 December, the Mustadafin Foundation organised a community event Swartklip. The main issues discussed included HIV/Aids and abuse against women and children. On Monday, 08 December, the fourth phase of the project will take place in Delft and Tafelsig where the foundation will be spreading awareness of violence and abuse against women and children in these areas.

Lastly with World Human Rights Day on Wednesday, 10 December, the foundation with be hosting discussions with children at Mnandi Pool, Mitchells Plain. They will be hosting a surf walk with placards protesting against abuse against women and children in Khayelitsha, Tafelsig, Hanover Park, Montrose Park and Delft.

The campaign focuses on social, health and safety in disadvantaged Cape Town communities such as Khayelitsha, Tafelsig, Hanover Park, Montrose Park and Delft. The foundation urges the community to advocate and practice peace.

“Peace begins at home and we are asking the community to embrace this,” says Johnstone.

For assistance contact, the Mustadafin Foundation on 021 633 0010 or 021 397 5268. VPC (Nailah Cornelissen)