Empowering Women, Ending Violence:
The 1000 Women Trust is dedicated to exceeding the standard interventions for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through a comprehensive approach that includes:
Awareness:
We actively engage communities through media, social media, and direct outreach initiatives to raise awareness about GBV and its consequences. Through our #HearMeToo project where we gather real stories of South African women directly affected by GBVF and publish true stories on our website.
Education and Prevention: Prevention is key to addressing domestic violence. We emphasize the need for education programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns that challenge harmful gender stereotypes, promote healthy relationships, and foster a culture of respect and equality.
Building a Supportive Network: Creating a strong network of support is essential for survivors. We offer resources, counseling services, and legal assistance to help survivors rebuild their lives and regain their independence. Establishing a community that uplifts and stands with survivors is a fundamental aspect of our work.
Gender Equality and Human Rights: Our movement is rooted in the principles of gender equality and human rights. We strive to challenge societal norms that perpetuate violence against women and advocate for a world where every woman is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
By focusing on these important aspects, #1000Women1Voice aims to bring about lasting change in the fight against domestic violence and advance the human rights of women globally.
Prevention: Our Anti-Bully Training program and #TalkingToBoys campaign target parents, teachers, and community leaders, aiming to prevent bullying and foster respect among youth. Additionally, we address cyberbullying and cyber security concerns, and have expanded our focus to include Mental Health issues and the correlation between bullying and teen suicides.
Support Groups: We prioritize capacity building within women's organisations, providing comprehensive training programs to equip them with the tools to effectively support GBV survivors. Our focus for 2024 includes expanding support groups and implementing initiatives like Bulldog Buddies and healing corners in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. 1000 Women Restart Network is a business network for women affected by GVB to help them generate their own income.
Advocacy: We advocate for policy reforms and increased funding to address the root causes of GBV. Our network serves as a vigilant watchdog over government and society, with a specific focus on addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide along with their underlying causes. Since its establishment in 2003, our organisation has remained steadfast in advocating for the rights and safety of women in South Africa.
Research:
Through initiatives like #HearMeToo sessions and research on Women and Internet access, we gather critical data to inform our advocacy efforts and tailor our programs to address specific needs. The Trust partnered with the Nottingham School of Business on the WE DARE campaign
WE DARE is an acronym for Women’s Equality: Digital Access and the Right to Expression.
Noteworthy achievements include:
- Training Trauma Volunteers during lockdown periods to provide immediate support to GBV survivors.
- Expanding our network to include representatives from police trauma rooms and social workers, recognising the vital role they play in supporting survivors.
- Recruiting unemployed social workers and counsellors to conduct need analysis and provide direct support to GBV victims.
- Launching the GBV Warrior project, aimed at establishing mini Thutuzela centres in GBV hotspot areas and rural communities, known as the Orange Project.
Join us in our commitment to combat GBV and empower survivors. Together, with #1000Women1Voice, we can make a difference.
