Western Cape non-profit organisation Mustadafin Foundation hopes to take up the issues of domestic violence and health and safety issues to empower women and children in the Delft and Tafelsig communities. This will form part of their campaign over the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, which kicked off on Wednesday 25th November.

The national theme for this year’s campaign is: ‘Count me in: together moving a non-violent South Africa forward.’ Mustadafin Foundation’s focus is to create awareness on social, health and safety issues. They will also visit community clinics on 1 December 2015 for World Aids Day to discuss issues and raise awareness on HIV and AIDS.

“Together with the SAPS we will distribute pamphlets about rape, child abuse, drugs and human trafficking. There is a rise in rape, disappearance and kidnapping of children and women in the Cape Town communities. The aim of this campaign is to highlight the abuse that women and children face within their homes and communities,” says Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, Director of Mustadafin Foundation.

According to a report published by Women’s Rights Organisation GenderLinks*, 39% of women in the Western Cape have experienced Gender Based Violence at least once in their lifetime and 44% experienced some form of violence in intimate partner relationships (emotional, economic, physical or sexual violence).

“We believe that empowerment and awareness of abuse and violence should not only be during 16 Days; our volunteers and community workers are active throughout the year to assist underprivileged communities where situations are dire,” continues Johnstone-Cassiem.

One such project is the Isibindi project in partnership with the National Association of Child Care Workers in Tafelsig which began in June this year. The project serves to employ local people and supervise and assist vulnerable children. Numerous families have benefited from this project where the majority of youth come from disadvantaged backgrounds and lack parental support.

Stitch by Stitch is another project the Foundation has pioneered which has made a valuable difference in the Tafelsig community. Women who have been victims of domestic violence are taught how to sew and make clothing, enabling them to generate an income and provide for their families.

“Violence against women is becoming an epidemic in South Africa and we all have a role to play in putting an end to this scourge. We encourage community members to seek help and report all domestic and violent crimes to the police,” concludes Johnstone-Cassiem.

For more information on any of the programmes or to donate, please contact Mustadafin Foundation on 021-633-0010 or visit their website at www.mustadafin.org.za. Join their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MustadafinFoundation.