Manenberg women are doing their bit to educate each other about gender-based-violence by sharing their experiences.
Christine Jansen, manager of Manenberg’s People Centre, is hosting a workshop about gender-based violence and yesterday she invited Waheeba Leonard, who grew up in Manenberg and was herself a victim of GBV.
“This is a positive parenting programme which we started at the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence,” Christine tells the Daily Voice.
“The aim is to create awareness and equip women to deal with the violence they face.
“We also want them to assist some other women who might be in abusive homes but do not know how to get out.”
Waheeba, who now lives in Athlone, works as a customer service manager in the finance sector.
She spoke about her own father abused her mom and how it affected her marriage.
“My father was a gangster, he was close to Rashied and Rashaad (Staggie, former leaders of the Hard Livings gang). He used to abuse my mom and me.”
She said she went on to experience abuse in her first marriage, but the tipping point was when she realised that her children were being affected.
“The turning point for me was when I saw how the abuse has impacted my children.
“I could see myself in them and I remembered what it was like to live in a house where there was abuse. I did not want my children to feel that.”
Soraya Kamran, 40, a mother of six children trapped in an abusive relationship, said the session was an eye-opener for her.
“It got me thinking about what will happen to my children if I die. I really need to get out. I was taught about options I have like women’s shelters.”
Christine was pleased with the attendance and how the group of 15 women responded to questions.
“It was a success and this will help them to be better mothers and neighbours,” she said.
“Abuse leads children to gangsterism and we have to fight it.”