EWF project transforms Insiza women’s lives

Prestige Muntanga

A project run by Emthonjeni Women’s Forum (EWF) has empowered Insiza women to take up leadership and positioned them to take a stand against gender based violence.

Through implementation of the SASA Faith Project, women were trained to deal decisively and expeditiously with GBV in marriages and society at large. SASA is the Kiswahili word for “now,” and in keeping with the project Insiza women were trained to handle GBV as soon as possible and not wait for the scourge to get escalate before acting.

Addressing an engagement meeting held in Bulawayo, EWF’s programs officer Nozithelo Mapholisa said women in district  are now confident to lead their communities after the much needed training.

“We have been implementing the SASA Faith Project in four wards namely,  ward 14,16,17 and 18. Today we are conducting a media engagement meeting where our women are sharing their journey in the SASA Faith project.

We realized that most women are now in leadership positions in their communities, which is a positive development. It is encouraging to see men also being led by women in the communities for a change,” she said.

Mapholisa noted that the women’s newly gained engagement skills have helped foster peace and understanding with their male counterparts leading to a reduction in GBV.

The project involves a process of community mobilisation – an approach and corresponding activities that engage everyone in living the faith-based values of justice, peace and dignity.

Women that have been in abusive relationships where taught to cordially engage their partners and this has reduced (GBV). We are reducing GBV by deliberately targeting the faith space and this has paid dividends in terms of producing women who are now able to stand up for themselves and be leaders,” she said.

According to Mapholisa, before the introduction of the SASA Faith project, gender-based violence in the district community was quite rife as  men generally undermined, exploited, and oppressed women, and husbands never prioritized taking care of their wives. 

She added, “When the project was first introduced to this community by EWF, men were skeptical. They were not happy at all because they initially thought that this program was mainly targeting women and they developed a negative attitude out of the view that the organization would dilute their cultural fibre and teach women to be disrespectful…We are happy that more men have come to appreciate the program.”

Several women that have been part of of  the project say it has changed their lives.

“Ever since I got married I have been a housewife and my husband would not allow me to do anything. My husband didn’t want to hear anything about my work. Upon receiving the training, I realized that I have to stand up for myself and explained everything to my husband. Now I am working and we are a happy family,” said Madlodlo from ward 16.

“Mostly women and men in Insiza are not educated and it’s hard to discuss anything with them. Projects like SASA have been playing a big role in educating people. There is also need to educate men on GBV and inequalities,” said another another beneficiary of the project.

Emthonjeni Women’s Forum was founded specifically to assist women overcome domestic violence and realize their economic potential as well create a platform where they can share and exchange information on various issues brought about by inequalities between men and women.