Build Hope and Skills for Refugee Women, S. Africa

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In an effort to address trauma, domestic violence and poverty suffered by displaced and refugee women in the Western Cape, WWWA continues to provide skills-building training, trauma counseling, accommodation and legal advice, leadership training and other services.

WWWA also offers refugee women in South Africa “a safe place for them to talk freely, to learn how to forgive and to make better people out of ourselves,” as stated by one member of the group. By providing women with not only a safe place to share their feelings but a place where they can develop their life-skills, confidence and skills training that help them to earn a living, these refugee women know what is feels like to become empowered and own the processes that help shape their lives. As a result, many members are now mentoring women in their communities.

Workshops on creative writing and other outlets allow the women the chance to tell their story and to raise awareness about the ongoing xenophobia against refugees in South Africa. For example, 13 women participated in a theatre performance that showcased the women’s stories of struggle.

With your support, WWWA can continue to provide a comprehensive range of services that are accessible and safe to refugee women and children including: advocating for awareness of women’s rights on issues such as HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, socioeconomic rights and raising awareness in the host community about refugee women whose lives have been tremendously altered by the wars and political conflicts in the continent.