The KwaZulu Natal Office hosted a Gender and Development training session with Community Care Givers and Early Childhood Development Forums in Estcourt, Bhekuzulu this afternoon. The gathering, hosted in partnership with Imvelo Hashtag, forms part of the ongoing efforts to promote Gender Equality and raise awareness on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), in line with Child Protection awareness. The session focused on understanding gender equality from early childhood, identifying signs of GBV, and addressing how rigid gender roles contribute to ongoing violence and discrimination. "By breaking these patterns early, we plant the seeds for future generations to grow up with values of respect, fairness, and equality, helping build safer, more just communities for all" said the Provincial Education Officer, Tracey Gumede. "Together, we continue to create spaces where learning leads to change", she concluded.