Women empowered through seminar in Phomolong
Imbokodo Upliftment highlights economic opportunities available to women.
Get Informed Youth Development Centre has empowered Tembisa women through a programme called Imbokodo Upliftment held at the Phomolong Customer Care Centre on August 31.
Floyd Mbowane, Get Informed Youth Development Centre’s project manager, said the aim of the programme was to uplift, skill and link women to economic opportunities.
“With the gender-based violence and abuse women and children face, we decided to host an event of this nature.
“In this, we partnered with different stakeholders to share more information on gender-based violence, and to talk about economic opportunities that are available to women,” said Mbowane.
He said this event will be n ongoing exercise, and that people who are empowered by the Get Informed Youth Development Centre will be in a better position to apply the acquired skills.
Mbowane said after the programme, the expectation is that the women will initiate their own businesses and that learners will get bursaries to further their studies.
“As an outcome, we expect women to be more resilient and take charge of their career path and development.
“We want women to be empowered in taking a lead in their own lives.
“They need to become a change they need to see in the world as Mahatma Gandi once said,” Mbowane explained.
He said as an organisation they felt the imbalance in power structures between genders where men are awarded more opportunities must change, and that women must be treated as equal partners in all sectors of society which is the reason why they have named the event, Imbokodo Upliftment.
When asked if Get Informed Youth Development Centre has systems in place to assist victims of gender-based violence, Mbowane said their organisation works closely with partner organisations that have the capacity to help victims of abuse and violence.
Mbowane said people who need their services will be helped or referred to organisations with the capacity to provide the help they require.
The Imbokodo Upliftment programme attracted women and high school learners from the local community.
Stakeholders who took part in the event included the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), National Development Agency(NDA), Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute, Aurum Institute and Mr Price Foundation.
Mbowane said people who are interested in the services of the Get Informed Youth Development Centre can call 011 021 0563.
