Cell C’s SEE YOUTH in Conversation on Substance Abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Community | 24 February 2023

We had another one of our insightful SEE YOUTH in Conversation events on Friday 23 February 2023, this one focused on ways to tackle Gender–Based–Violence (GBV) and Substance Abuse in our communities.

The day started out in L.R Schmidt Primary school (Western Cape), where we unveiled a classroom fit for a digital world and building future digital leaders. The Digital Lab handover included 28 laptops, a projector, server, and router with 24 months data sponsored by Cell C – another way of demonstrating Cell C's commitment to providing digital connectivity in schools and nurturing the next generation of digital leaders.

The day proceeded with a visit to Emil Weder High school for the conversation where a total of 140 youth actively engaged in dialogue on Substance Abuse and GBV. Some of the key points covered during this conversation included,

Preventative measures youth who have been exposed to cycles of abuse can take to ensure they do not become abusers themselves.
Ways youth can raise awareness of GBV and become support mechanisms – by speaking out, calling out toxic behaviours and avoid giving into peer pressure.
How young people can also create a safe space for victims of GBV in their community of peers.

"We need more hobbies on weekends – Young people leave school on Friday with the intention to party and entertain because we do not have other options. It is the responsibility of the entire community, young and old to create these spaces" – High school learner at Emil Weder.

Lethiwe Hlatshwayo, Executive Head: Corporate Affairs and Communications at Cell C concluded the day with the following message, "Through the awareness and education that we strive to create through our SEE YOUTH programme, whether it be via the seeyouthbycellc.co.za online portal or honest conversations such as these, collaborating with our partners such as TEARS and The Warrior Project, we hope to make a difference in the collective efforts to address these issues in our society. With this programme we also hope to help young people remember that it is possible to redefine their lives and current circumstances need not determine their future."

SEE YOUTH, an all–inclusive youth development initiative that covers a broad array of issues was launched in 2022 and as an evolution to Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day programme in response to the stark backdrop of extremely high unemployment, child–headed households, a mental wellness deficit, teenage pregnancies, gender–based violence (GBV), a rise in the school drop–out rate particularly amongst boys, and many other social challenges that the need to go beyond exposure to careers for young people became apparent.

SEE YOUTH In Conversation, aims to create constructive and necessary dialogue around uncomfortable and challenging matters that impact the youth and society, with a view to stimulate thinking on solutions.

SEE YOUTH continues to empower our youth to speak up for themselves, for their generation and against all the injustices that harm their futures. Don't suffer in silence, help is available.

If you are in abusive environment or know someone who is and needs help, please reach out to Tears Foundation. Prevention education services are also available because #ItTakesUsAll to end GBV and abuse.

Our SEE YOUTH platform is just another waythat Cell C inspires positive change and encourages youth to #RedefineYourFuture.

#SEEYOUTH #SEEYOUTHinConversation #WeSEEYOU #Empowerment #GBV #SubstanceAbuse #CellC #ChangeYourWorld #YouGotThis

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