WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND MEN ENGAGE SA

My name is Matlala Msimanga. I am a project director at Women Empowerment and Men Engage SA, an organization based in Bethlehem in the Eastern Free State. We are addressing the issue of gender-based violence, where we focus on empowering women and girls and engaging men and boys to help us end violence against women and girls. 

Our organization is using the victim-perpetrator approach, thinking that by involving men and boys in the fight against gender-based violence, we will win as most of the organizations that are offering these services are only focusing on the victims, and this is not solving anything because we need to Engage men so that we understand their world how they think and how they do things. 

Gender-based violence is a systemic problem, making it impossible for many women to realize their goals in life. We are offering these services without any remuneration, which is affecting us negatively as most of the staff members are now demotivated and want to.

Leave the organization. We have employed 65 people who are working without pay. We need R7 080 000, which will be the payment for all the staff members for 12 months. This amount could be broken into months and will cost R590 000 per month. 

We applied for funding from different sources but have not gotten any help. I want to reach out to the community surrounding our organization to help with a donation of any size through crowdfunding. Every little bit will help. Our organization is offering services to about 8000 beneficiaries in Dihlabeng municipality in the district of Thabo Mofutsanayane. 

We are changing lives by providing counselling to the victims of gender-based violence and empowering them financially through our Economic Strengthening program.

We have realized that many women are not reporting abuse, or if a case is registered, it is always withdrawn because the abusers are the only providers. Women are not financially stable, so they depend on men for survival. In this program, we empower them by equipping them with skills that enable them to generate income and create jobs for themselves and their children. 

We also offer a men's forum program where men and boys are put on a behaviour change program to change their mindset about gender inequality and stereotypes. We have such servant hearts and desire to see changes in other people's lives. This donation will bring happiness and dignity to our staff members' lives. 

All the funds raised will go directly and exclusively to the expenses of staff salaries, and this will be a massive change in their lives. Thank you!