Every year, on 18 July, South Africans are encouraged to spend 67 minutes of their time to volunteer their services for social and charitable projects. This is to acknowledge the life of the late SA president, Nelson Mandela, whose life was dedicated to the freedom struggle in South Africa. South Africans are asked to involve themselves in local and national projects aimed at uplifting communities with the aim of making a difference. The call to ‘take action, inspire change and to make everyday a Mandela Day’ resonates strongly with the values of BAPS Charities.
BAPS Charities has responded to this call by initiating a host of projects throughout South Africa. One of these initiatives will be supplying rape survival kits to local hospitals and organisations. These kits will comprise of basic items such as new underwear, sanitary goods and personal hygiene items that can be used by rape victims. Across the globe, gender-based violence remains a serious public health and human rights issue with far reaching effects on the individuals affected and society at large. While the healthcare system is a place where these survivors are able to find treatment of some sort, resources are limited and basic care is often hard to find. The unfortunate reality in South Africa is the alarmingly high rape statistics where mostly women are the victims in reported rape cases. This initiative will therefore attempt to ease the feelings of vulnerability experienced by rape victims.
BAPS Charities has identified two beneficiaries that will be receiving approximately 300 rape kits to treat victims of rape.
