TEARS Foundation and Avon South Africa unite against GBV

TEARS Foundation and Avon South Africa are launching ‘Naked and Afraid No More’, a pioneering and certified survivor-centred training programme, designed for first-line responders to gender-based violence (GBV).

These individuals often play a crucial role in the immediate support and long-term healing of survivors.

Read more: Make #NoExcuse for GBV, be a Champion for Change

Building on the success of TEARS and Avon’s survivor-centred response summit, TEARS was approached by organisations such as the National Shelter Movement (NSM) and Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) to provide tailored training sessions designed to meet the unique needs of their respective communities and stakeholders.

Representatives from these two organisations comprised the inaugural cohort of students enrolled in the certified training programme, which took place at the Balalaika Hotel in Sandton on April 11–13.

Mara Glennie, CEO and founder of TEARS, emphasised: “Our programme provides essential training and support to ensure that first-line responders to GBV are equipped with the necessary skills and resources to offer compassionate, survivor-centred care. We aim to set a benchmark for transformative GBV responses at every level, combining education with practical application to create supportive spaces where survivors can reclaim their lives and restore dignity at a grassroots level.”

Certified training modules
The training programme features expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities designed to equip participants with actionable skills.

A group of Parktown girls use art to create awareness on GBV. Photo: Supplied

Also read: Rosebank College ready to take a stand against GBV

Attendees will earn certifications underwritten by the International Association of Therapists, a professional global organisation offering training provider accreditation to those seeking professional recognition in their field. With a vision to expand the curriculum over time, the training programme includes an introduction to practical responses to GBV, covering essential topics such as key terminology, the causes and impacts of GBV, available support services, referral mechanisms, and the importance of empowerment and advocacy.

It furthermore examines the key amendments to the Domestic Violence Act 14 of 2021, which came into effect in April 2023. The TEARS team offers first-line responders a comprehensive understanding of the updated legislation, focusing on its provisions, the roles of legal actors, and strategies for the act’s effective implementation to protect survivors.

Innovative training methods
To ensure practical application, the training programme integrates innovative training methods, equipping participants with both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills to respond to GBV in real-world situations.

Celeste Louw, general manager of TEARS Foundation’s Training Academy, noted that the goal is to set a benchmark for training that transforms GBV responses at every level. “By combining education with practical application, we aim to create spaces where survivors feel supported and empowered.”

Empowering change through education and practical implementation
WiM-Africa is dedicated to promoting gender inclusion, driving economic empowerment, and fostering sustainable development for women throughout Africa’s mining sector.

Dr Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, executive director of WiM-Africa said: “Over centuries, sexual violence and GBV have been weaponised to maintain control over resources. This created toxic cultural and social dynamics, with patriarchy growing stronger, subjugating women in the sector and denying them access to equality, fair wages, and control over their bodies.”

Asokoro-Ogaji added that, through partnerships and training initiatives like this, the company aims to help transform the mining sector into an inclusive, equitable, and economically empowering space for all African women.

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!

Related article: The Norwood and Orange Grove community says no to GBV

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}