Page 33 - SCAT GBV Report - Addressing Gender-Based Violence - 2021

While LDAs are at different phases regarding their attention to LGBTIQ-related issues, there seems to be consensus that this is an important matter, given the particular vulnerabilities of this community to violence and exclusion. In cases where respondents appear less confident with LGBTIQ issues, there seems to be an appetite for further exposure and involvement. With regard to how LDAs can strengthen their support to LGBTIQ communities, a respondent cautions:
Other organisations that want to work with LGBTI members, and where there are only heterosexual people in that organisation, they should include one or two LGBTI people. Only then would it become more serious cos there would be somebody that has experience and really has an interest in developing LGBTI communities.
Joey Ramohlabi, KSDF.
Another concern for LDAs is how to work directly with men to counter GBV. Although this is an underdeveloped area of organisational activity, it is viewed as important and a key challenge.
A challenge is getting more men coming to our workshops, and when they are there, accepting that they are not in power. I haven’t had a man speaking about his own experience – how he looked at women, how he treated women in the past, and saying that this is wrong.
Nobuzwe Mofokeng, ILDA.
Women are not allowed to take the decisions. Every decision is taken by the man. But we try by all means to break that.
Kefuwe Mabote, MFAO.
I also want to change the mindset of the men. They think they are the heads of the family and they can do whatever they like to the women and they have that mindset that they have control over the women and children due to paying the lobola.
Tembakazi Mthembu, PSJAC.
Jeanette Mqomo coordinator of KSDF, working on a client’s case in the advice office.
“Finish this Elephant”: Rural Community Organisations’ Strategic Approaches to Addressing GBV 33