-
Homeless woman on the streets of Johannesburg says she relies on people giving her food in order to survive.
As women’s month draws to a close, homeless women who live on the streets in and around Johannesburg say they have not experienced the protective support that this month is meant to bring women.
A small group of women living on the streets of Braamfontein under pieces of hand-fashioned cardboard, wood and plastic shelters say Women’s Month (August) was just another month of overcoming daily struggles to survive.
“There is a lot of criminal activities here, especially at night. It’s not nice living here, especially at night. I am 68 years old. I wish I can get help with my shelter,” says one of the women.
“They steal from us and we cannot say or do anything. We can’t sleep peacefully at night,” says another women.
Sixty-three-year-old Zodwa Mlotha says she was attacked last week.
“They beat me. I have a blue eye and stitches on my head. I got attacked by a very young child with a brick, when I was just trying to call her to order,” she says.
The women say disputes with family and long-term unemployment pushed them onto the streets.
Women’s Month | Homeless women struggle to survive on the streets of Braamfontein
