Nicole Chetty and Abigail Ornellas represented the Global Parenting Initiative at the 11th Western Cape Violence Prevention Forum, held on 29-30 September in Cape Town. This biannual forum brings together stakeholders from government, academia, NGOs, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and community organisations to strengthen collaboration on preventing violence across the Western Cape province.
Themed “The vision begins with me,” this convening focused on understanding the root causes of violence, sharing practical interventions, and reflecting on how sectors can work collectively towards the common goal of reducing violence and providing accessible help to victims of abuse. Highlights included a site visit to Philisa Abafazi Bethu (“Heal our women”), a community-based organisation supporting survivors of violence.
The visit was a powerful reminder of why these conversations matter, connecting high-level collaboration with the lived experiences of women, children, and families. “Hearing directly from community organisations reminds us why violence prevention must be grounded in empathy, respect, and cultural understanding.” – Nicole Chetty.
GPI remains committed to engaging with partners across sectors to strengthen violence prevention efforts, ensuring that children grow up in safe, supportive, and nurturing environments.
