PAYNESVILLE –The Gender Unit of the Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) has officially launched an awareness campaign aimed at addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), child abuse and violence against women and children in the city’s busy commercial hub of Red Light.
By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafrica.com
The initiative forms part of PCC’s broader commitment to promoting a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all residents, marketers and visitors in Paynesville.
According to the Corporation, the campaign comes in response to growing concerns and community reports about the increasing incidence of violence, abuse, and exploitation affecting women and children in the Red Light area.
As part of the intervention, the PCC Gender Unit has begun implementing targeted education sessions, community outreach activities and support services aimed at raising awareness, preventing abuse, and empowering survivors and vulnerable groups.
Speaking at the launch, Princess Teahjay, Coordinator of the PCC Gender Unit, described violence against women and children as a pressing issue that demands collective action and sustained public awareness.
“Violence against women and children remains a serious challenge that requires collective effort and sustained awareness,” Teahjay said.
She noted that the campaign seeks to educate, protect and empower vulnerable groups, while ensuring that women and children can live, work and conduct business in a safe and dignified environment.
Teahjay also encouraged marketers in the area most of whom are young women to speak out and report cases of sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse and other forms of violence affecting women and children.
Participants at the launch praised the Paynesville City Corporation, through its Gender Unit, for what they described as a timely and important intervention and pledged their support in helping to spread awareness throughout the city.
The campaign is expected to strengthen collaboration between the Corporation, community members, and local stakeholders in the collective effort to reduce abuse and build safer public spaces across Paynesville City.
