Women in Theresapark gain strength combatting GBV

In a world where gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant issue, Beauty in Brokenness stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for vulnerable women in Pretoria North.

Established in 2022, the dedicated non-profit organisation based in Theresapark focuses on transforming the lives of female survivors of GBV, single mothers, and those living with learning disabilities.

The NPO has a powerful mission: to empower women through vocational training, personalised counselling and supportive group environments.
It is committed to helping these women heal, rebuild and thrive.

Founder Tereda van Heerden said the organisation aims to provide survivors with the skills and confidence to achieve self-reliance and independence.

Van Heerden said the mission is accompanied by a broader vision, which is to create a world where every individual affected by hardship has access to tools and support to transform their lives and thrive with dignity and confidence.

Driven by a passion for skill development in the beauty industry, she recognises the urgent need to address the impact of GBV on women in the community.

“The reality is that many of these women face not only emotional trauma but also financial instability, making it challenging to break free from cycles of abuse and dependency.

“By equipping them with vocational beauty skills, the organisation empowers these women to generate income and regain control of their lives,” she said.

The organisation offers a holistic approach to empowerment, combining vocational training with essential social support and counselling.

Led by social worker Mbali Hadebe, the organisation conducts comprehensive needs assessments to tailor its services to the unique challenges faced by its beneficiaries.

Individual and group counselling sessions provide emotional healing and resilience-building, while vocational training in beauty skills equips participants with practical tools for financial independence.

“We also provide self-defence and gender-based violence workshops for our participants. Not only do the workshops provide crucial self-defence techniques, but also foster a sense of community and support among participants.

“By encouraging women to protect themselves physically and emotionally, we reinforce the importance of resilience and self-empowerment,” she said.

The success of the organisation is measured by the empowerment and employment outcomes of its beneficiaries.

It actively engages with local communities through referrals from organisations and word-of-mouth.

Collaborations with local entities such as the Tshimologo Care Centre enhance the organisation’s ability to reach more women in need.

Despite the strides made since its inception, the organisation faces challenges, particularly in funding and resource availability.

While recent support from Lotto has been instrumental, the organisation seeks to secure additional funding to expand its reach and services.

“We have plans to increase class offerings and accommodate a larger number of beneficiaries, especially in townships where many participants reside.

“To continue to sustain our mission, we welcome community support through donations of non-perishable food items, sanitary products, and cosmetics.”

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram