Changing the gear, the Anti Gender Based Violence (GBV) campaign took to the streets like no other.

Tebogo Dikale

By: Tebogo Dikale

Changing the gear, the Anti Gender Based Violence (GBV) campaign took to the streets like no other.

Every day on the news, we hear reports of gender-based violence cases across the country; it’s a challenge that one cannot ignore, as an activist and a concerned citizen. I recognized the need to take initiative and act, rather than simply reading speeches in the newspapers.

Phokeng, as a mining host community, faces a challenge of violence against the opposite gender due to the influx of people or population growth. FATLHOGA and the Alke Foundation met and discussed issues affecting the community. We chose GBV after the meeting between the two organizations; the decision was influenced by stakeholders who did not respond to our event invitations.

The agreement is to take this to the community, hold dialogues, and encourage people to discuss these at the identified establishments each month. Additionally, we will donate pads and handkerchiefs to the school kids.

The initiative of dialogue is about engaging with those who cannot attend the event. Met with the owners of the establishment, and most liked the idea, agreeing to partner with us.

The initiative is to get people talking with no boundaries, inform them where to report, refer them to relevant stakeholders, listen to their problems, and find solutions.

The first dialogue was held last year, on 09 August 2024, with only two organizations, which led to partnering with establishments. Communities that were there also liked the idea and said they would attend if it were ongoing.

This year, we held our first dialogue with the establishments on 27th September 2025, as organizations. It was pleasing to hear the reaction from the community members, old people, and middle-aged people, saying it’s a good initiative.

One person stood out for me, he said, “I was raised by a single mother, a soft, strong woman, a feminine woman. Shoutout to her, but I wanted a leader, a mentor, a direction, a father figure who’ll teach me how to be a man. Where I come from in Soshanguve, there’s no initiative like this. I like it, he concluded.

– How to report?

– Where to report?

– Is it friendly when reporting?

– Environment-friendly for reporting cases?

– Making fun of you, particularly of men, when reporting.

– Not having a father figure

– Upbringing

– Taking the first step as a challenge

These are some of the questions challenged during the first dialogue as partners. Alcohol isn’t a problem, as most said.

The initiative is a continuous effort to donate pads to schools, as I mentioned earlier.