The campaign, which also coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, seeks to raise awareness and take action against the violence that women and children, particularly young women, continue to endure.

Veronica Molefe, a representative from Shout it Now and the second Deputy Chairperson of the Sanex Health Professional Civil Society Forum, explained that the 16 Days of Activism serves as a global reminder of the critical need to protect women and children from GBV. She stressed that while SA has made progress in the fight against GBV, the focus must also be on empowering young women by providing them with essential information and services to protect their health and well-being.

Shout it Now, an organisation providing sexual and reproductive health services across the country, has identified a particular risk to women aged 15 to 24, who are disproportionately affected by HIV. Molefe shared how their mobile clinics reach remote areas to ensure that young women, who may find it difficult to visit health facilities, have access to confidential and supportive care.

Molefe also introduced Chomi, a new multilingual GBV chatbot launched by the organisation to provide immediate support and information. This tool aims to reach 2 000 young women with information on reporting GBV, offering both guidance and a platform to share their experiences safely.

Reflecting on her own journey, Molefe revealed that her passion for sexual and reproductive health advocacy was sparked at the age of 17. After seeking information on HIV prevention, she faced insensitive questions from health professionals. It was only with the support of her mother, who advocated on her behalf, that she received the information and services she needed. Today, Molefe continues to be the voice for young people who often lack access to crucial sexual health education.

While the focus is often on the challenges faced by young women, Molefe also highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of young men in sexual and reproductive health services. She called for more initiatives that encourage young men to take responsibility for their sexual health and break down the stigma surrounding their involvement in such matters.

“Empowering young women and men with the tools to make informed health decisions is key to combating the cycle of violence and ensuring a healthier, safer future for all,” said Molefe.

--ChannelAfrica--