Many women who are caught in the web of social or domestic abuse will soon be empowered. The Philisa Abafazi Bethu (PAB) organization, which means “Heal our Women,” will be offering their services to the women of Ottery and surrounding areas.

While women in all communities across the Cape Flats face domestic abuse, women in Ottery predominantly face issues relating to maintenance, as men who are meant to be paying maintenance refuse to do so.

“We found out that there are issues with domestic violence and services for women that are not available from police services all the way down to not being aware of the fact that they could take out a protection order,” director of PAB, Lucinda Evans, said.

In order to host a workshop specifically on maintenance issues and the domestic violence act, PAB is said to engage with the Department of Justice. Once the workshop is completed, they will approach organizations that will be able to assist women to become entrepreneurs.

“Our vision is that we would like to work for a year with these women and also have a women’s conference over the 16 days of activism,” Evans stated.

Since many women in these situations feel as if they are trapped, they endure the violence.

“It’s not a luxury to phone the police if you are in a domestic violence situation. The police is mandated to do their work,” Evans explained.

Both male and females with business skills are invited to volunteer and facilitate programmes on starting small businesses.

The programmes are being held in Ottery every Thursday from 10 until 12:30 at the Bruce Hall.

During the June/July theme of the programme will be: Women in business.

For more information, contact: 073 4244 665

VOC (Quaanita Satardien)