Social workers programme launched in KZN

THE strategic deployment of 183 social workers will assist the province in the fight against gender-based violence.

This is according to Premier Sihle Zikalala at the launch of a social workers programme in Durban, spearheaded by the Department of Social Development, to deal with gender-based violence in KZN.

Social workers have been deployed in various communities to not only curtail gender-based violence, but to also address discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

KZN currently tops the list when it comes to violence against women and children.

‘This goes against the spirit of ubuntu and points to something that has gone horribly wrong with the moral fibre of our society,’ said Zikalala.

‘In our province alone, of the 886 people killed last year, 665 were women, 130 boys and 91 girls.

‘Sexual offences figures were up 3.2% from last year to 8 759 cases. In Empangeni 186 rape cases were registered.

Zikalala commended continued efforts by the provincial Department of Social Development in the fight against the scourge.

The department recently hosted a Boys Assembly in Mandeni with the aim of nurturing boys to become men of integrity.

‘The honest truth is that gender-based violence only thrives among men with a very low self-esteem. A real man in the true sense of the word cannot beat, kill and rape a woman.

‘The Boys Assembly seeks to mould a new man who respects society’s norms and values.

‘These values mean that men and women are equal at home, on the streets, at school and before the law.

‘We want new type of men who are bold, kind and empathetic to their inner being as a people born of a woman,’ Zikalala said.

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