An anti-Gender-Based Violence organisation in Steenberg has launched a free outdoor gym for women to exercise safely. The Steenberg area, which neighbours Cafda, Retreat and Lavender Hill is infested with gangs making it difficult for women to work out outdoors without the fear of being followed, attacked or killed.

Philisa Abafazi Bethu used its facility in Strauss Avenue to construct the gym which enables women to have a full workout in the safety of an enclosed environment.

Gavin Riley is a carpenter at Timberscapes. He constructed the gym and explains its many functions pic.twitter.com/Ppg0P99QH3

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Founder Lucinda Evans says this is also being done in light of 16 days of activism against GBV:

“I wanted a gym that would be safe for groups of women to access because if you look at the latest crime stats, women are nowhere safe. You can’t jog with your phone in your hand. You can’t access some of these public spaces.”

This year marks 25 years since South Africa launched the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign. The theme for this year is: “Accelerating Actions to end Gender-Based Violence and Femicide: Leaving No One Behind”.

Established in 2008, Evans’ NPO provides anti-GBV services, child protection services and an after-school programme.

It services the communities of Lavender Hill, Steenberg, Cafda, Retreat, Overcome Heights, Hillview, Capricorn, Vrygrond and Montague Village.

Saturday 25 September marked three years since Evans’ womens’ organisation has been based at 55 Strauss Avenue in Steenberg.

In addition to the launch of the free outdoor gym, she is also offering numerous workshops at her facility throughout 16 days of activism. She maintains government is simply not doing enough to help deal with the scourge of attacks against women and children in the country:

“This government needs to go because they have been paying so much lip service to gender-based violence. Everybody speaks about 16 days of activism but what are the fundamental promises President Ramaphosa made to us on 5 September 2019 at the #AmInNext march? How many of those promises have materialised?”

She says the gym, which has been done in collaboration with e-hailing giant Bolt, is open to all adult women at no cost.

Gavin Riley, a carpenter, who owns his company named Timberscapes is the man who constructed the outdoor gym. He says he was immediately on board, as he knew it was done to improve the safety of women. He is also the man who constructed the play site for children, at the same facility.

“I just thought I have got to be a part of this and help out. I think this is huge for the community.”

Groups of women are also able to contact the NPO to make arrangements.

READ MORE: 16 Days of Activism: Government commits to ending GBV