BREAKING BARRIERS Emthonjeni women take GBV fight to rural communities

“WE are strengthening women’s agency to ensure they claim their rights,” said Emthonjeni Women’s Forum (EWF) director Ms Sikhathele Matambo as the organisation hosted a brown bag event spotlighting efforts to combat Gender Based Violence (GBV) in rural areas.

The event, held at a local hotel brought together stakeholders, women and men from Umzingwane District, funded by EWF to showcase projects aimed at sustaining livelihoods while tackling GBV.

Attendees toured project structures featuring young mothers, community counselors, male champions and families who shared the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.
Matambo said the forum focuses on both preventive and responsive measures to GBV. “This event brings together stakeholders to share and exchange information on our successes, challenges and gaps in the work,” she added.

EWF’s initiatives include promoting positive parenting, engaging community-based counselors and male champions of change, and empowering young mothers to stand up for their rights.

The event also provided a platform for civil society organisations to offer solidarity speeches and featured panel discussions on “Breaking Barriers: Innovative Pathways to End GBV,” highlighting prevention and response in the digital era and other pressing issues.