Empowering women all year long

WITH women issues being a topic on Women’s Day, there are members of the community who have dedicated their time in helping women all year round. In celebration of Women’s Day, it is practical for the community to reach out to organisations that help women overcome their daily challenges such as rape, Gender Based Violence and human trafficking victimisation. These are some of the organisations who are on the ground helping vulnerable women in Durban. 

Also read: Keeping women safe during women’s month and beyond

Open Door Crisis Centre 

The Open Door Crisis Care Centre is a non-profit, interdenominational outreach organisation established in 1997 by Thora Mansfield at the request of the local South African Police Services. The organisation works as a multifaceted one-stop crisis and trauma centre offering counselling, social services, and support groups.

You can help the organisation build a sustainable income that they can count on by committing to a monthly amount by sponsoring counselling sessions, play therapy or food and a room for a victim of abuse or human trafficking in one of our shelters from as little as R100. You can do this by setting up a recurring payment or making an ad-hoc donation. For more information on how to help the organisation, you can visit their website: opendoor.org.za

Also read: 3 finance tips for women this Women’s Month

The Jes Foord Foundation 

The Jes Foord Foundation works towards addressing  the prevalence of rape in society. This is done through various projects in an effort to educate, create awareness and change attitudes.  Some of their initiatives include the Handbag Project, the Young Men’s Mentorship Program, awareness talks and free trauma counselling. 

As a non-profit organisation, they rely solely on individual and corporate donations to keep their counselling and care initiatives running. The organisation runs different programmes that involve the community. For more information, you can contact them on: 066 440 3604 or, admin@jff.org.za

Also read: Go pink for women’s race

eXpose Hope 

eXpose Hope is a non-profit organisation fuelled by women who care deeply for women of Durban who are trapped within the sex industry and victims of trafficking.

The organisation visits over 400 ladies in the greater Durban area who are working on the streets and in various brothels on a weekly basis. They provide them with good quality, second-hand clothing, and shoes.  They also work to get in donations such as toiletries, sanitary items, cosmetics and condoms.

Each lady is provided with a hot, healthy meal and time is spent with them building relationships and establishing how they can  assist them further. They also give out baby bags to moms who are pregnant and assist with rental needs for those who we have successfully managed to get off the streets. You can help the organisation by donating money, or contributing to the Blessing Bag. Liza Moroney of the team can be contacted on 082 041 0495 or exposehopesa@gmail.com.

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