For many women, going to work can mean navigating more than deadlines, meetings and office politics. For some, the workplace can become a place of harassment, intimidation and bullying, leaving them questioning their careers and their own worth.

This Women’s Month, Sandton-based chartered accountant and governance, risk and compliance expert Kovini Moodley is turning her attention to the issue through her platform, Boss Brains of South Africa.

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Moodley has launched an executive mentorship service aimed at helping women facing workplace bullying develop practical strategies to understand their rights, document incidents, make career decisions and protect their professional reputations.

“Workplace bullying is not a reflection of your competence, your strength or your value. It is a reflection of your organisation’s governance failure.”

Moodley said her approach is different from traditional counselling or coaching. With 17 years of professional experience and a background that includes senior roles at Deloitte, Accenture and Discovery Health, Moodley approaches workplace bullying through governance, risk management and employment law.

She said women should not feel pressured to endure toxic workplaces or blame themselves for what happens to them.

“Women need to understand that they have options. They can stay and fight strategically, transition to another role or take formal action through the correct processes. The important thing is that they make those decisions from a position of knowledge and strength.”

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Moodley was named IRMSA Risk Manager of the Year in 2024 and has also been recognised as a Saica Brand Ambassador. She founded Boss Brains of South Africa, a platform focused on workplace safety advocacy and women’s empowerment, which has more than 100 000 followers.

The mentorship programme offers confidential sessions via Microsoft Teams, lasting 60-90 minutes. Women can receive guidance on documenting workplace incidents, understanding their employment rights, developing career strategies and rebuilding their professional brand following a toxic workplace experience.

Moodley also believes the responsibility for creating safer workplaces should not rest solely on individual employees. She argues that boards and senior leaders need to recognise workplace bullying as a governance issue rather than treating it as simply an HR or interpersonal problem.

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“Boards have a responsibility to create ethical and accountable workplaces. When bullying is tolerated, organisations risk losing talented people, damaging their reputations and exposing themselves to legal and governance risks.”

For Moodley, Women’s Month provides an opportunity to have difficult conversations about what women experience at work, while also giving them practical tools to respond. “Women should not have to choose between their careers and their dignity.

You can protect both, but you need to understand the system you are operating in and know how to navigate it strategically.”

Women who want to enquire about the mentorship programme can contact Moodley through bookings@kovinimoodley.co.za.

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