Zola women gain skills and legal support to boost independence

As Women’s Month draws to a close, Ekujuleni Kwenhliziyo Community Development hosted an engagement session focused on advancing women’s economic empowerment on August 27 in Zola Three.

The engagement session provided women with an opportunity to develop practical skills by using waste materials to create household mats and blankets.

The initiative also connected participants with legal services provided by Lady Liberty SA, alongside other relevant stakeholders who offered information and support.

Lady Liberty SA is a women-focused NPO that seeks justice and holistic wellness for women. Its mission is to ensure that women have access to legal support and assistance, allowing them to live safely and with fulfilment.

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Founder and director of Ekujuleni Kwenhliziyo Community Development, Khululiwe Mtshali, said empowering women is important to the organisation as it reminds them of the skills and abilities they possess.

She said these initiatives promote women’s independence and can also play a role in fighting gender-based violence (GBV) by encouraging women to become economically empowered and reminding them that they do not have to depend on men to survive.

“We want women to be independent and able to support themselves. This is not where we are ending; we are going to continue making more handmade products and selling them so that women can generate an income.

“This is a broader initiative that also seeks to assist women who are facing legal challenges. Many women are going through difficult situations, and I believe this programme will help connect them with the legal support they need,” she said.

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Mtshali further stated that the skills development programme will be held once a month, every Thursday, as the organisation believes it is an important initiative that can equip women with practical skills and create opportunities for them to become more self-sufficient.

Speaking to Urban News, founder and lawyer at Lady Liberty SA, Samantha Nobubele Mkandhla, said the organisation was invited to provide legal consultations to women attending the initiative who needed assistance with various legal matters.

“Today, we are here to provide legal consultations to attendees who need assistance. We want to give people relevant information and guide them on where they can get help with their legal challenges.

“Sometimes, people simply need the right information to understand how to deal with their problems and take the necessary steps themselves. However, where they are unable to access the help they need, we, as an organisation, will assist where we have the resources to do so,” she said.

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Mkandhla added that anyone who needs legal assistance can reach Lady Liberty SA through its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, as well as through its website.

She said the organisation offers pro bono consultations to individuals who qualify for the service.

A means test is conducted to assess an applicant’s income and determine whether they qualify for free legal assistance.

Attendee Bawenzile Chibi said the initiative was productive and that they were grateful for the programme as a community of Emdeni and Zola.

“We are thankful for this programme because it will definitely assist us in generating an income. Most importantly, we are grateful for the legal session and the information we have received. This kind of information is not always easily accessible, so we really appreciate being given the opportunity to receive it,” she said.