As we commemorate Women’s Day tomorrow we pay homage to our women across the country, and we also acknowledge that they are locked in the battle of their lives against violence, abuse and debilitating poverty due to being locked out of opportunities.
In the Eastern Cape the war of abuse and violence against women and children rages on – at home and on the streets.
Today we are here at the Gqeberha City Hall to highlight the plight of the homeless women and children across Nelson Mandela Bay who face violence and abuse daily.
There are more than 4000 homeless people living on the streets of the city, and amongst them are women and children.
As a result of the socio-economic circumstances of many of these individuals, some often become addicted to drugs and alcohol. Women and children are the most vulnerable on the streets and are often subject to violence and abuse.
Given the increase of homeless people in the Metro it is clear that there is a definite shortage of shelters and funding for shelters that can provide suitable accommodation for the homeless in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has previously appealed to the Metro to fund the establishment of a shelter.
The Metro is urged to learn from the effective route followed by the DA-governed City of Cape Town in providing homeless people with sanctuary and safety.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis recently opened the city’s newest 300-bed Safe Space shelter. This is the fifth Safe Space opened by the City of Cape Town, bringing the total bed count to 1,070 across these facilities.
This City of Cape Town initiative is part of a larger plan to help individuals off the streets, reintegrate into society, and reunite with family.
The DAWN EC, therefore, hands over this memorandum of suggestions to the Office of the Speaker, Cllr Eugene Johnson, to highlight the plight of the Metro’s most vulnerable citizens. (see pictures here, here, here and here)
We make the following suggestions:
- The Municipality must investigate how funds can be made available to establish a safe haven shelter catered specifically to women and children.
- The Municipality must investigate how vacant municipal buildings can be upgraded and reformed into shelters to address the homelessness issue in Nelson Mandela Bay.
- The Municipality must investigate how funds can be made available to provide financial support to existing organisations that focus on assisting women and children who must survive on the streets.
- The Municipality must facilitate interaction with the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development to ensure its assistance in addressing the issue.
Let us unite on Women’s Day to bring about change and create a brighter future for our women and children.
Together, we can build a more just and caring society.
The DA will never give up the fight to protect our women and children – a battle that is not fought once a year, but daily.