Township communities demand action against gender-based violence

Residents in township communities say they are tired of gender-based violence (GBV) talks and want action as the 16 Days of Activism campaign runs from Sunday, November 25 to Tuesday, December 10.

They say GBV events have become predictable and repetitive, and many young men say the messaging feels forced and excludes them.

The Thrive Initiative will host a free workshop at Philippi Village on Friday, December 5, from 11am to 1pm. The workshop will invite 30 to 50 young people from Nyanga to take part in a session centred on discussion and shared experience.

Thrive facilitators say they recently received a direct message from community members who said they did not want another GBV event because they felt tired and overwhelmed, said the founder of Thrive Initiative, Brian Segal.

Thrive is a South African non-profit organisation that works with schools, youth, and community leaders to address the root causes of bullying, GBV, and disconnection. The organisation teaches tools for self-regulation, empathy, and communication.

Mr Segal said the workshop aims to look at the stress and emotional pressure points that can contribute to harmful behaviour and to create a space where young people can speak openly without judgement, he said.

Friday’s workshop will be the starting point for a six-week programme that will focus on resilience, emotional literacy, and a sense of belonging.

Mr Segal said communities are calling for a different approach and that the organisation is responding by focusing on understanding the person behind the behaviour.

For more information, visit  www.thrive-initiative.com or email info@thrive-initiative.com