IMSAFER program to teach young girls about Gender-Based Violence

Lebowakgomo

By: Palesa Makanyane

Gender-Based Violence facilitator, Karen Shokane has asked people on social media to encourage young girls to join the IMsafer program to learn how to prevent GBV.

She said the program aims to teach girls from the age of 15-19 how to negotiate and prevent themselves when they are in a situation in which they need to defend themselves.

Shokane emphasized that they are working tirelessly to ensure that GBV is prevented at all cost. She said they offer free services which include certificates at the end of four weeks of training.

“We offer free refreshments and transportation fare because we do not want anyone to miss this opportunity. We cover places such as Ga-Mphahlele, Lebowakgomo and Zebediela but other districts do have this program under their facilities,” she said.

IMsafer program aims to break walls of abuse and help children to understand that there is no excuse for Gender-Based Violence. Shokane said Imsafer is only for girls and that there’s a program for boys called Stepping stones.

“IMsafer teaches girls to fight back either with communication or physical defence. Girls are known to be human beings that cannot defend themselves, not anymore. Steppingstone program is to teach boys from 15-19 about verbal skills and the knowledge of Gender-Based Violence,” said Shokane.

Shokane said their offices are based in Polokwane but she is working under Lepelle Nkumpi municipality which is the reason they are only looking for girls at the age of 15-19 in the nearest areas.

She further concluded that the certificates they will obtain from the program will help them get jobs in centers/companies that operates in safety and others. She said she also obtained her certificate of GBV facilitator from such programs.

Those who wish to join IMsafer program can contact Karen Shokane on 081 7634 946.