Safe Space is a Non-Profi¬t organization with its roots in Johannesburg, South Africa, seeking to transform how Gender Based Violence is addressed by government and civil society. Co-founded by Nakita Dellwaria in March 2020, who is on a journey to change society in a small way by creating Safe Space. By reclaiming spaces rampant with incidents of GBV, Safe Space aims to restore the joy that these spaces once brought to the public and victims of GBV.
It aims to give a platform to people of all walks of life to ensure that their voices are heard and safe spaces are created for them. Nakita endeavours to pave the way for silence to be broken around Gender Based Violence and to sensitize society around the harsh realities of GBV that they are exposed to on a daily basis.
Nakita Dellwaria, an International Relations and Peace Studies Honours graduate from the NWU Mahikeng Campus, has worked with and is a survivor of GBV, is passionate about creating innovative, proactive solutions to the GBV pandemic South Africa is facing.
Users can report GBV incidents including non-official reportable incidents such as catcalling and groping or even the general safety of an area. These reports will be fed onto the live map, which can be accessed by other users. Safe Space can be accessed to gauge the safety of areas from the live map on the website.
The official launch took place on August 24, commemorating the death of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a 19-year-old woman who was raped and bludgeoned to death in August 2019. "This is why we have created the solution to equip women and the LGBTIQA+ community with a tool to help ensure their safety, from Mahikeng to Sandton, Mossel Bay to Mitchell’s Plain. Safe Space is a tool to be used nationwide,” the co-founder stated. This early warning system understands that women and the LGBTIQA+ community are under threat because GBV is prevalent across all races, ages, religions, cultures and or socio-economic standings.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through International Human Rights Day on 10 December. Safe Space will be hosting chalking events across the country to commemorate and remember the lives lost to GBV.
Contact Safe Space for more info and how to donate or get involved:
Email - i
Instagram - @Safespacersa
Facebook - @SafeSpaceRSA
