Swartland Municipality’s sustainable approach to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is widely considered a model of best practice. This model received special attention during the festive season through an oversight visit from the National Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Social Development.
This visit was conducted to assess the success of Swartland’s GBVF projects, especially in light of the municipality’s successful GBVF Ambassadors Programme and the opening of the Dahlia Centre. The two departments were particularly interested in how Swartland’s GBVF unit forms sustainable partnerships, manages reporting structures, and assists clients in need.
The three-day visit also provided the opportunity for oversight visits to victim support rooms at SAPS Riebeek West, Moorreesburg, Malmesbury, and Darling.
The Swartland Senior Coordinator for Special Projects also visited various safe spaces in the municipality, including Huis Alwyn and the Dahlia Centre. These institutions showcased their work, support services, and partnerships used to serve the community. The departments were also impressed by the quality of training provided to students completing their social work practical requirements with the municipality’s Social Development team (Dahlia Centre).
Feedback received from the visiting departments expressed full support and admiration for the work being done in Swartland to ensure that GBVF awareness and support take place every day. Swartland Municipality is confident that this assessment visit will help strengthen partnerships between the different levels of government, leading to greater support for the work the municipality does to prevent GBVF and assist victims of GBVF, Domestic Violence and Child Protection.
Swartland Municipality would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who help make these programmes a success. Thank you for building hope in our communities.
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Enquiries
Mart-Marié Haasbroek – haasbroekm@swartland.org.za
