Gamers Across South Africa to Unite Against GBV in Epic Initiative!

Photo Credit: Pexels

Gamers across South Africa will be leveraging their passionate communities to unite as a formidable force against one of South Africa’s biggest plights—gender-based violence:

South Africa (02 August 2024) — Gamers across South Africa are once again rallying together against gender-based violence for a change-sparking initiative, Gamers Against GBV.

While Women’s Month in South Africa earmarks a time to celebrate the many formidable females making South Africa immensely proud, August is also a month where inequalities, glass-ceilings yet to be broken and societal injustices that impact our women the most are rightly spotlighted.

One of the biggest injustices we face as South Africans is gender-based violence, something the TEARS Foundation works tirelessly to change, all while acting as an incredible resource of support for all genders who face sexual violence.

For years, TEARS has taken on the task of offering immediate and long-term support to survivors (a space the government should be doing much more in). But they cannot do this alone.

Teaming up with TEARS, gamers are set to take a stand against harassment and GBV in honour of survivors and a South Africa where GBV is a thing of the past.

“Gaming is often stereotyped as male, but the number of South African girls and women in the video gaming community is rapidly growing. There is a pressing need for increased awareness and robust responses to sexual violence and harassment, both online and offline,” says Mara Glenn, Founder and CEO of TEARS.

Initially begun during the lockdown when GBV incidents increased, the Gamers Against GBV initiative connected a close-knit and passionate community to unite for the worthy cause. In its 4th iteration, the initiative will feature daily livestreams hosted by over 30 streamers nationwide. These streamers will mobilise their communities to support the cause through donations on their streams and will share relevant content to raise awareness. On Women’s Day (9 August), the gamers will culminate in a marathon stream in an epic call for change.

All donations received during the campaign will be processed through a crowdfunding campaign; directly supporting TEARS

What the TEARS Foundation Helps With:

Referral to Individual counselling
Referral to Individual, group and couples counselling
Referral to Support groups
Volunteer opportunities
Linking victims to emergency shelters
Referring victims to medical facilities for medical attention for access to:
- Antiretroviral (ARVs) treatment
- The morning-after pill to avoid unwanted pregnancy
- Antibiotics for possible Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
- Blood tests
- Internal medical examinations
- A J88 for court purposes
Following up with the police on behalf of victims who have case numbers
Giving survivors advice on how to apply for a protection order
Referring child victims to child-friendly facilities and Social Workers
Guiding women and men on how to leave abusive relationships