Physical harm is one of the most common acts of gender-based violence (GBV) experienced across the globe.
Causing injuries to the body and fostering mental health issues, physical violence also erodes the right to human dignity and one’s sense of self.
As an intervention, Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen Mine, along with partners Families South Africa (Famsa) and Vusela Risk Services, recently offered free self-defence training sessions for women.
It educated participants on the different forms of abuse, how to obtain a protection order from the police, and practical self-defence exercises to help them navigate through violent attack scenarios.
“Through the practical self-defence classes facilitated by Vusela Risk Services, we hope we have empowered the participants to be able to defend themselves when they are confronted with abuse,” says Nompumelelo Mpata, project coordinator and community health and safety lead at Sishen Mine.
