In South Africa, one in four women will be affected by women abuse* in some way, which makes it seem as though the odds are against us. But ForWomen – an online resource run by 1st for Women Insurance – wants to defy those odds and convert hopelessness into a sense of positivity and empowerment.
ForWomen is an online resource that brings together public, private and nonprofit organisations that are dedicated to participating in the fight against women abuse. It’s a resource that South Africans can access if they want to get help or give help.
The ForWomen programme is holistically structured to address this problem in three ways, namely prevention, preparation and provision. The platform features a list of content under each pillar that women can access to inform and educate themselves about abuse, its effects and how to get help. Here are some valuable insights:
Prevention: don’t be a bystander or raise a bystander
The bystander effect (or bystander apathy) is a phenomenon where people recognise that someone is possibly a victim of abuse but do nothing to stop it. Research shows that bystander apathy is especially prominent among young men. As a woman, you can intervene by changing the way you think about men’s role in society and by equipping your sons with strategies that will help to play an active role in calling out abuse and stopping it when it’s happening. The NPO Fathers in Africa is dedicated to furthering this cause.
Preparation: learn more about what constitutes abuse
It may be difficult to comprehend, but there are many women who are in abusive relationships or situations every day and they have no idea that they are in fact being victimised. More conspicuous forms of abuse like physical and sexual abuse may not be as difficult to identify as something like financial abuse. As part of their preventative strategy, ForWomen provides access to resources such as information on how to identify when you are at risk of abuse. Here’s an example.
Signs that you may be in a financially abusive relationship:
- You are discouraged from earning your own income even when it is something you would like to do. Instead, you are given an allowance while your joint income stays in your partner’s personal account.
- You are afraid to buy yourself something that might be considered a treat because of the negative reaction you will get from your partner.
- You are told not to meddle in the household’s finances and are not given access to the budgeting strategy.
- You are forced to contribute to your partner’s expenses or debts before you are allowed to save your own money.
If you think you might be at risk of becoming a victim of financial abuse, contact any one of the NGOs that are connected to the ForWomen platform here.
Provision: know where to get help
If you are the victim of abuse or know someone who is being abused, you can call the following numbers:
- National gender-based Violence Hotline: 0800 428 428
- Tears Foundation: *134*7355#
- ForWomen referral service: 010 590 5920
There are also a number of resources on how to get help and take action against abuse here.
A portion of all 1st for Women premiums is donated to organisations that are fighting women abuse. Join 1st for Women today and together we can help end woman abuse. Fill in the form below and an agent will get in touch with you for an insurance quote specifically designed for women.
This post was sponsored by 1st for Women.
*Stats provided by the South African Department of Justice.
Ts & Cs apply. FSP 15261.
For more helpful tips and advice, click here.
