The SA Taxi Foundation collaborates with POWA to empower GBV survivors
The SA Taxi Foundation collaborates with POWA to empower GBV survivors
With femicide rates five times higher in South Africa than the global average, gender-based violence is a massive socio-economic problem because in most cases, it keeps its victims from being active participants in the economy of the country.
To help remedy this, the SA Taxi Foundation collaborated with POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse) to donate 50 computers to homes that house and empower women & children who have fallen victim to this epidemic with the intention to upskill them. In addition to housing the victims, the homes run programmes that encourage an attitude of zero tolerance towards sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse & HIV and AIDS. They also foster an environment where the community can be educated about their rights and responsibilities where these issues are concerned.
“Through the donation of these desktops, the girls will be able to surf the internet and find information for their school work, while also improving their computer skills among so much more,” says Kate Mocheki, Head of Projects at POWA.
“The computers will also help childminders to carry out their work, and empower survivors to attain computer literacy as part of skills development so they are economically independent. In this way, they don’t rely on abusers for financial support so are empowered to end the domestic silence about their abuse.”
The first donations were held on International Women’s Day (8 March 2021) at the Home of Hope in Tshwane and the New Life Center for Girls in Midrand. The other computers will be donated to homes in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Maroba Maduma, director at SA Taxi Foundation, expressed that he was pleased we could play our part in the fight against gender-based violence. “The foundation is always ready to support initiatives that aim to provide support, empowerment, and economic inclusion to vulnerable groups such as GBV survivors.”