YALI RLC-SA Alumni taking action against Gender Based Violence.
According to UN Women, Gender Based Violence (GBV) specifically against women and girls increased significantly since the outbreak of COVID-19. UN Women identifies health, finances, isolation, living conditions and deserted public spaces as contributing factors to the increase of the “Shadow Pandemic” (source: www.unwomen.org). In commemoration of 16 Days of Activism, YALI RLC-SA is shining a light on some of its alumni who are taking action against GBV through their projects.
“African women and young people reclaiming their power”
Nozipho Moyo, Human and Digital Rights Defender and Executive Director and CEO of Africa Kiburi hosted the Africa Wumba Festival. Africa Kiburi aims to empower women and young people by amplifying their voices through various development activities and events. The Africa Wumba festival brings together African Women and young people and exposes them to exhibitions and workshops in the art sector and human rights celebrations and activities during the “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”.
“Leaving no one behind”
Chef and Founder of Stir Up Chefs and Akwenzeke Foundation, Mhlelusizo Ncube implemented a project in commemoration of “16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence”. In partnership with some of her networks, the self-funded project launched in August to November. Mhlelusizo trained 50 disabled females who have been exposed to Gender Based Violence to grow and manage successful enterprises with handcrafted goods made from “traditional hand-skills and locally available material”. Empowering women so that they can raise “emotionally, psychologically healthy children ensures them a better future” says Mhlelusizo.
“After weeks of training and counselling, my daughter was strong willed and she could do some business of her own. Now she is confident and she is now providing for her child. Although her business has just started, the business is sure to grow, as it is showing great potential.” Akwenzeke Foundation Beneficiary
“COVID-19 Socio-Economic effects on Gender Based Violence”
Nomqhele is the Executive Director of Youth Invest, an organisation whose “mission is to promote youth and women’s sustainable socio-political, cultural, economic and environmental development through synergy, effort and capacity building.” Acknowledging the negative socioeconomic effects of COVID-19 on women and girls. Through Youth Invest, Nomqhele is calling on government to put measures in place to stop Gender Based Violence. These measures Nomqhele is proposing includes “prioritising the rights and needs of women and girls, provide pandemic preparedness support for women and their families, and to support survivors of gender-based violence” ensuring “no one is left behind” during a health or any other crisis.
Visit Youth Invest for project impact stories.
Empowering women and girls through education.
Tinomuda Daphne Gora is a women’s advocate and girls’ activist whose work focuses on women and girl’s empowerment and education. In 2020, she was a delegate at the World Youth International Model United Nations Conference where she moderated a discussion on displacement and climate change in Africa. She contributed to the drafting of the final resolution of the conference highlighting women and girls struggles with climate change.
