Eldorado Park women mark three years of support and empowerment

What began as a simple conversation over tea has become a lifeline for women in Eldorado Park.

My Life Matters So I Spoke Out celebrated its third anniversary at The Hub in Ext 5 on August 21, bringing together community members, government stakeholders and partner organisations to reflect on three years of empowering women to share their stories, heal from trauma and rebuild their lives.

Founder and City of Johannesburg Speaker Margaret Arnolds said the initiative was born out of a desire to create opportunities for women who could not afford to attend Women’s Month events.

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“We realised our women were excluded because they had to pay to attend these events. We wanted to create a space where every woman could come free of charge, be heard and feel valued,” she said.

Arnolds explained that the organisation’s name emerged after she shared her own experiences of domestic abuse and being raped three times.

“I spoke about my life and then we realised that women needed a safe space where they could also speak out. That is how My Life Matters So I Spoke Out was born.”

She recalled how volunteers initially went door-to-door encouraging women to attend the first gathering.

“There were only 23 of us when we started. Today we are close to 200 women. That shows there was a need we never fully understood.”Over the past three years, the group has become more than a monthly meeting.

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Women have shared stories of domestic violence, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and family trauma while receiving emotional support, counselling referrals and access to development programmes.
Arnolds said confidentiality remains one of the group’s founding principles.

“This is a safe space. What is shared here stays here. We are here to fix each other’s crowns and support one another.”

She encouraged women not to allow painful experiences to define their futures.

“I am the woman who was raped three times. I am the woman who was abused. Today I can smile while sharing my testimony because I know it changes somebody else’s life.”

She added that every woman deserves the opportunity to rise above her circumstances.

“Your life matters. Speak out, love yourself and believe that you can become anything.”

Co-founder Charyl Pillay said the organisation’s greatest achievement has been witnessing the transformation of the women who attend.

“When we started, none of us imagined it would grow like this. Today women arrive dressed up, confident and ready to speak out. That is what makes my heart happy.”

She said many women who initially attended with fear have gone on to rebuild their lives.

“We’ve seen women leave destructive lifestyles, young women enrol in ownership programmes and others become role models in the community.”

Pillay added that the organisation has succeeded because of consistency and collaboration.

“It wasn’t about having money. We used the resources we had, remained committed and worked together with different stakeholders.”

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She acknowledged that while growth has created new challenges, they have remained focused on serving the community.

“Our biggest challenge now is accommodating the growth, but it’s a good challenge to have.”

The anniversary celebration also emphasised partnerships with government departments and community organisations.

Correctional Services unit manager for Eldorado Park, Refilwe Mataboge, urged families to support parolees instead of rejecting them.

“A parole is not a right; it’s a privilege. Families must understand the conditions attached to parole and help their loved ones comply.”

She encouraged parents to remain actively involved in the rehabilitation process.

“Stop labelling people. When you label them, you push them back to where they came from. Support them, encourage them and help them rebuild their lives.”

Mataboge said many offenders return successfully to society when families, communities and government work together.

“We need to stand together, support our families and support one another as women. Together we can make a difference.”

The celebration concluded with testimonies from members whose lives have changed through the organisation.