Citation

Stuart LM. Links Cent. Am. Health Rights Netw. 1997; ePub(ePub): 4.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Central America Health Rights Network)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12320799

Abstract

There is a high level of domestic violence in South Africa. In response, the new government has committed itself to gender and racial equality in its new constitution, the Prevention of Family Violence Act is in place, and the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was ratified in 1995. Domestic violence is a particularly serious problem in Mamelodi, a township outside of Pretoria in which People Against Human Abuse (PAHA) is based. PAHA is committed to providing a holistic person-centered service offering telephone and individual counseling, support groups, legal advice, education, work, lobbying, and campaigning. Both male and female counselors are employed by PAHA to conduct outreach education work with the entire community and to mediate between spouses attempting to resolve their own problems. Women need to know their rights, while men must learn that violence is no longer socially acceptable. In addition to supporting PAHA, Oxfam supports projects for abused women and advocates legal changes in favor of women's empowerment in South Africa.

Language: en