– Six properties committed for continued use as shelters.
– More support for GBVF survivors.
– DA delivers across all spheres.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is committed to ensuring that victims and survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) have access to the support and protection they need. Today’s renewal of the agreement committing six properties for continued use as GBVF shelters demonstrates how the DA is working across different spheres of government to turn that commitment into action.
Today, National Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson, together with Provincial Ministers of Social Development Jaco Londt and Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers, renewed the agreement committing six Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) properties for continued use as GBVF shelters. The renewal ensures these properties will remain available as shelters for victims and survivors of GBVF for the foreseeable future. The Western Cape Department of Social Development will continue to utilise the properties to provide shelter and support services.
The properties, located in Aurora, Albertinia, Heidelberg, Laingsburg and Moorreesburg, will continue to provide safe spaces, care and protection for victims and survivors of GBVF.
For victims and survivors of GBVF, including those fleeing abusive relationships or recovering from sexual violence, these shelters provide safety, support and an opportunity to rebuild their lives. They also enable access to vital social development services, including shelter, counselling, child protection, foster care where necessary, and assistance with relocation.
More shelters mean more survivors can access the critical support they need, helping to protect them from further harm and giving them a path towards recovery.
South Africa continues to face a GBVF crisis of extraordinary severity. Expanding access to shelters and support services is therefore an essential part of protecting survivors and helping to break the cycle of violence.