According to the GBVCC, the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown has compounded the effects of existing gender inequalities and has led to an increase in violations of women's rights, including elevated risks of domestic violence and other forms of GBV.

The virtual event was facilitated by Lebogang Mashile, who is a poet, author and speaker. The event hosted a panel of guest speakers who shared their personal stories.

The speakers included:
  • Takalani Netshitenzhe: external affairs director for Vodacom South Africa
  • Masingita Masunga: inspirational speaker, TV director and philanthropist
  • Rosie Motene: pan African queer and feminist and speaker on GBV and LGBTQI in Africa, and
  • Cheryl Hlabane: operations manager at Frida Hartley Shelter.
"Conversations have started in Vodafone and Vodacom on these forms of discrimination, because the only way to stamp out racism, gender and class discrimination is to first acknowledge that there is a problem," says Netshitenzhe.

"These forms of discrimination exist in societies in which we operate and it will not be tolerated in the workplace. Our global and group CEOs are taking the lead. These conversations force all of us to introspect on the kind of culture we want to create for ourselves and for future generations," adds Netshitenzhe.

During the course of the webinar, the panel shared their personal experiences of GBV, as well as discussed how society views survivors of GBV and the challenges that women face when leaving abusive relationships.

The GBVCC says that the impact of GBV is extensive and includes physical, sexual and mental consequences for women and girls that remain with them for years.

"Many people don't acknowledge the various levels and effects of GBV. People need to understand that abuse affects women in physiological and neurological ways," says Motene.

"We need to also acknowledge the strength it takes for survivors to speak out about their abuser as they often face scrutiny from different areas of our society," adds Motene.

Hlabane says that the country needs to improve its structures to support survivors of GBV. "There is a large misconception that victims of GBV are weak. They are asked questions as to why they were abused or why did they not speak out sooner."

"We need to improve our structures to support survivors of GBV and improve funding towards support systems so that these survivors are not forced to stay in abusive relationships," adds Hlabane.

Vodacom also announced that Masingita Masunga has been appointed as an ambassador to the Vodacom Foundation. As an ambassador, Masingita will champion the values upheld by the Vodacom Foundation and focus on key areas of education and gender empowerment.

Vodacom's GBV programmes focus on prevention, response and victim support. Response is through the GBVCC, which was launched in partnership with the department of social development in 2014.

Vodacom says that the victim support it provides is done so through digital literacy provided in the shelters for victims and survivors of GBV. The new mobile-based app that the brand has developed is part of its prevention strategy.

According to Vodacom, the app will serve as a risk assessment tool for the app users to determine if they are in an abusive relationship so that they could seek help.

Through this mobile-based app, the user will be able to compile and keep a journal of abusive incidents that could serve as evidence during criminal investigation and prosecution. The app is intended to augment prevention and response focus. The app will be launch later in 2020.

Vodacom appeals to anyone who may need support during this time to contact the GBVCC via the following channels:
  • Dial 0800 428 428 or via USSD on *120*7867#
  • Skype line 'HelpMeGBV' for members of the deaf community
  • SMS 31531
For more information, visit www.vodacom.co.za. You can also follow Vodacom on Facebook or on Twitter.