The Public Safety Department’s youth month commemorations culminated with an open dialogue on societal issues plaguing young people today, including LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health, and gender-based violence. The latest event was held at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein this week.
The department says the event, which was attended by a large number of Joburg youths, was designed to engage youngsters on issues they face daily in their communities.
The department says the event, which was attended by a large number of Joburg youths, was designed to engage youngsters on issues they face daily in their communities.
The programme was divided into three sessions, with the first one focusing on GBV, then the mood changed to depression; with the event culminating with fierce debate about LGBTQIA+ rights, the stigma and danger the community still faces.
Among the attendees were officials from the correctional services department, who were accompanied by parolees. There were also officials from the Gauteng Department of Social Development and municipal councillors from Joburg’s Region F.
Young people who attended the event shared experiences of their encounters with GBV, a scourge that has engulfed the entire country.
“It’s a two-way conversation, it can’t just be one way. As a youth, we need to start having these uncomfortable conversations to understand each other. Be part of the solution, not the problem,” said an official from the Department of Social Development.
“At one point, we are all exposed to gender-based violence; it doesn’t matter which gender you are.”
One of the young attendees shared that in his community, there is a misconception among adult males that “once they pay Lobola, they own their spouses.” “As a community, we need to understand what “no” means.”
Another attendee was Sibusiso from Orlando in Soweto, who was brought to the event as a parolee accompanied by correctional service officials. He shared the experience that cost him his freedom; “just a minute of anger can cost you your life”.
“As men in the community, we have this certain provocative language towards females that instils these results we are seeing today. Today’s youth need to be more open and embrace mental health challenges than their older generation.”
Most attendees touched on issues affecting them, including fighting depression and other related mental disorders. “Teach your children to love and value themselves, and not to seek love from someone else,” added a speaker among the attendees.
Written by Dakalo Ramudidibi
30/06/2022