Pumula residents meet for a drug abuse and gender-based violence community outreach
Women’s Institute for Leadership Development participated in a community fun day, which was hosted by Pumula Youths under the “Safe and Inclusive Cities” project. In attendance were different stakeholders, which included representatives from the Ministry of Youth, CSOs, the media, community leaders, local artists, and Pumula residents. The community outreach was conducted in commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence as well as to combat drug abuse in the community which has exacerbated incidences of GBV.
One of the participants Thando Ncube who did a side interview with WILD, highlighted that the lockdown is the reason why a lot of youths have resorted to drug and substance abuse.
“A lot of youths in our community have resorted to drugs and substance abuse following the coming of the COVID-19 induced lockdowns, which led to the closure of a lot of businesses, retrenchments, and generally the closure of a lot of recreational centers. Youths ‘escaped’ their troubles by abusing drugs which in the long run affects their central nervous system. Drug abuse has led to GBV and there is need to address this as it has now become a serious problem in our community,” said Ncube.
One of the speakers, Patrick Moyo, a pastor in one of the community churches, pleaded with the residents not to resort to drugs, emphasising that, contrary to popular belief, these drugs make one low instead of high.
“Mental clinics and centers are flooded with young people who are succumbing to mental illnesses as a result of these drugs. It is quite saddening that we are losing our future leaders to drugs because, as they affect your central nervous system, your ability to make sound decisions is compromised. Many end up opting for suicide and some become violent, which in turn leads to gender-based violence,” highlighted Moyo.
During her presentation, Councillor Sikhulekile Moyo highlighted that members of the public have to join hands in the fight against gender-based violence.
“The rampant cases of drug abuse and GBV can only be mitigated if everyone in the community joins hands in this fight. As the community we should thrive to provide safe spaces for young people who have fallen into this destructive lifestyle and give all the help that we are able to offer. This will create support systems that are key in the fight against drug abuse and GBV,” said Moyo.
The Youth Support Network also took an opportunity to educate the audience about common illegal drugs and encouraged the public, especially school children and youths, to abstain from drugs and put an end to gender-based violence to create a safe and conducive community for all.
The outreach program was concluded with dances from local dance groups and presentations from community poets.