Cookie Edwards is the executive director of the KZN Network on Violence against Women. Having worked in the field of women’s rights for more than 25 years, these are but just some of her spheres of expertise, which include domestic violence, sexual, and reproductive health, link between HIV and gender-based violence and environmental design for women’s safety in communities. Ms. Edwards has been involved in spearheading, and implementing numerous projects on raising awareness about women’s rights, which include (capacity building, lobbying and advocacy, creating effective networks, public awareness campaigns, conferences/seminars, and etc). 

Cookie Edwards established the network to assist women in 1996 after she ended her abusive first marriage. With the aim of creating violence-free zones, the organisation has rapid response teams in four communities – uMlazi, Inanda, Wentworth, and Newlands.

Dealing and working with women survivors, both provincially and nationally, the organisation has handled thousands of GBV cases. Edwards said her experience encouraged her to help other women break their silence on GBV.

“We need to focus more on prevention strategies. Most of the time we have focused on treatment and support after the incident. We are not saying that is not important, but we need to instill prevention work. Everyone needs to know the prevention strategies to incidents before they actually happen.

“The 16 Days of Activism is there to highlight the issues. But we have these issues 24/7 for 365 days a year. We are supposed to be doing this throughout the year, not just for 16 days. I also think whatever is done by the justice system needs to be truly strengthened,” said Edwards.

She said they were working with different stakeholders from the government and civil society in an effort to provide a clear referral pathway for survivors.

“Our rapid response team leaders create different support systems around survivors for them to be safe. If one comes to us regarding abuse, depending on what they are seeking, we refer them to the police, courts, shelters or social workers. We follow up on their behalf. We do not just give advice, we ensure they get the help they need,” she said.

Edwards said they were engaging with different communities to create more safety zones.

“We are engaging with stakeholders in Inanda and uMlazi to have community dialogues to established violence-free zones. Women who are scared of coming out need to break the silence. They need to know that there is help for them out there. This doesn’t only help them, but also their communities at large. There are even free help lines where they could stay anonymous but speak to somebody for help,” said Edwards.

She has presented a number of papers at national and international conferences on related issues and granted a number of national and international awards for honoring her achievements in the field. She has spearheaded a huge Social Mobilization project in communities in the eThekwini Municipality that ignited the Prevention in Action movement and establishing over 50 x Violence Free Zones that focused on moving people from a sense of inaction to one of action to prevent sexual and gender-based violence towards reducing the high prevalence of new HIV transmissions in their communities.

She implemented a pilot project for the Dept. of Social Development (Victim Empowerment Programme) that is currently operational for victims of domestic and sexual violence in 9 x communities called the White Door Centres of Hope.  She also assisted with management and oversight of St Michaels Women’s Hostel (a building with 44 x bedrooms) and turned it into a safe and secure environment (accommodation) for single women and single mothers in the low-income tax bracket. The venture was to empower the women who resided there using the opportunity as “Stepping Stones” by providing support, encouragement, education, information and training so they are better equipped to make informed choices in their own lives.

She also participated as the provincial representative of the Interim Steering Committee on Gender Based Violence and Femicide based at Presidency in crafting the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. She is currently strengthening GBV District Networks in the province and established 4 x Rapid Response Teams in 4 x communities to ensure clear referral pathways for survivors of GBV.