Question NW514 to the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
30 April 2024 - NW514
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
(1) Whether her Office monitors the availability and accessibility of shelters for women who are victims of gender-based violence; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether her Office intends to intervene to ensure that the Northern Cape Government establishes a shelter in Namaqualand as a matter of urgency, since survivors of gender-based violence currently must travel more than six hours to the nearest shelter; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Department produced a monitoring and evaluation framework for the national strategic plan on gender based violence & femicide. The role of the department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) is to make available unutilised public buildings to be utilised as shelters or temporary housing arrangements for victims/survivors of GBVF.
The Department linked DPWI with the Department of Social Development (DSD) in ensuring that the identified buildings are renovated, NPOs are linked to these shelters and that they are funded.
2. The Department of Women Youth & Persons with Disabilities will pursue discussions with DSD and DPWI regarding the state of shelters in Namaqualand.