Women March for Justice: Demanding Enhanced GBV Policing in Paarl

In a powerful demonstration of unity and advocacy, approximately 200 women partook in a march headed to the Paarl Police Station on Saturday. This convergence was a direct call to action for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to improve the handling and response to gender-based violence (GBV) incidents, particularly in the rural farm areas.

Organized by the Women on Farms Project as a part of the global 16 days of activism against gender violence, the women gathered at a pivotal point in Paarl, initiating their protest from the taxi rank opposite Lady Grey Mall. Their journey culminated at the police station where they presented their needs and concerns to authorities through a memorandum.

This detailed memorandum underscored the necessity for heightened police visibility in farming regions, along with comprehensive training for police officers in handling the complexities of GBV cases. The document was received by the SAPS Cape Winelands cluster commander Brigadier Neville Malila, representing the Cape Winelands district commissioner.

Mateko Mohobo, a dedicated member of Women on Farms Project since 1996, articulated a skeptical outlook on the prospect of SAPS taking serious measures despite what she described as a "successful march." Mohobo cited historical indifference from SAPS in addressing GBV cases, sharing her firsthand experience in advocating for the police to respond to an incident involving a sexual assault on a minor.

Prior to the march, a dialogue was convened at the Van der Stel sports club in Stellenbosch, engaging farm women and a few guest speakers, including Stellenbosch station commander Sandile Sojani. The dialogue served as a crucial platform for women to voice their grievances and seek solidarity in their struggle against GBV.

Danielle Muller from the Thuthuzela Care Centre in Paarl emphasized the importance of educating the public on GBV, remarking on how increased awareness can encourage victims to seek help through proper channels. Muller particularly highlighted the significance of this for farm residents who may face barriers in obtaining police assistance.

The event also shone a light on the intricate challenges faced by women in farm and rural areas, where abusers are often the main income earners for the household. Muller pointed out the difficult decisions that come into play when contemplating the incarceration of a family breadwinner in such economically constrained environments.

The women illuminated the dialogue on Saturday evening with candles, a somber tribute to the lives affected or lost to GBV.