Registered Non-Profit Organisation

Social Justice Women

Dealing with the challenges of today requires problem-solvers who bring different perspectives and are willing to take risks.

 

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Since 1990

Unity of purpose against Gender-Based Violence

Social Justice Women emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support communities, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. We are an organization driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of support. Social Justice Women is a registered non-profit organisation based in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa.

%

experience GBV

%

murdered by IP

%

experience IPV

%

emotionally abused

%

experience rape

GBV – Gender-Based Violence • IP – Intimate Partner • IPV – Intimate partner violence

Our Objectives

  • Respond to the current challenges related to COVID 19 in terms of awareness, promotion of healthy lifestyle and providing care and support to needy across the continent, region-by-region, country-by-country.
  • Come up with progressive, innovative interventions and strategies to deal with the impact of Gender Based Violence on women, children and youth of school going age.
  • Ensure that women are not further disadvantaged economically and that they are empowered to actively participate as respected players in the economy globally.
  • Partner with key stakeholder to implement specific programs that can be replicated across nationally.
  • Strengthen institutional mechanisms for women’s socio-economic empowerment taking into consideration legislative framework applicable as it relates to eradication of Gender Based Violence.
  • To conduct advocacy and come up with strategies to prevent teenage pregnancy and provide information on sexual and reproductive rights to girls and the youth.

Violence against Women and Girls

Gender based violence was already one of the greatest human rights violations. In 2020 243 million women and girls (aged 15-49) across the world have been subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner. This number is likely to grow with multiple impacts on women’s wellbeing, mental health, and their ability to participate and lead in the recovery of our societies and economy.

The increase in violence against women must be dealt with urgently with measures embedded in economic support. The Secretary General has called for all governments to make the prevention and redress of violence against women a key part of their national response plans for COVID-19.

Recent global trends have revealed that violence against women and girls (VAWG) worsening in the context of COVID 19. Sexual and gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality and continues to be the most notable human rights violations throughout the world in all societies. Women and girls are increasingly at risk in their homes as there is no assistance and services given to the victims and survivors of GBV throughout the year.

Thousands of pupils especially girls are expected to have given up on school after the lengthy closures last year. This puts further risks to young girls to gender based violence, rape and teenage pregnancy including forced marriage.

Stakeholder Involvement and Engagement

Partnership and networking with stakeholders and grass root community structures will be essential for information dissemination as  well as building a social mass movement in the fight against Gender Based Violence and harmful practices.

Target Population

Social Justice Women recognizes that in informal settlements and rural communities, owing to lack of access to basic services these communities are most affected by GBV. Women and girls particularly in rural villages think that it is acceptable that they must be abused. Women and girls in rural areas and informal settlements where some of the poorest and most vulnerable reside do not have access to social justice.

Social Justice Women seeks to implement an information dissemination strategy that seeks to uphold human rights standards in the response to gender-based violence.

Social Justice Women is well positioned to utilise radio stations and other simplified digital communication as this is the most efficient, cost-effective, rapid and far-reaching communication method.

Our Campaigns

  • GBV Walk (walk in my shoes campaign)
  • Educate girls of school going age about their rights and healthy relationships.
  • Conduct self-empowerment initiatives for women and girls of school going age.
  • Capacitating Gender Champions
  • Production of Video skits
  • Provisions for Virtual Webinars and Podcasts on GBVF
  • Skills development on conflict resolution
  • Power session for women to help them assert themselves at home, at work and in their communities
  • Encourage to start small businesses to attain financial and economic independence.
  • Ending teenage pregnancy programme especially focussing on school going girls and encouraging them to go back to school through finishing programs.
  • Launch a public campaign to prevent and contain the spread of gender-based violence.
  • Consult and work with other civil society organisations and OSISA in all initiatives to provide information to the public
  • Make information available to the public in vernacular isiXhosa Language using accessible means, modes and formats, including internet, radio and text messages
  • Ensure people with disabilities have access to information through sign language, closed captions, and other appropriate means.

Gallery of Events

Dialogue on Black Feminist Political Struggles for Gender and Racial Justice in South Africa and Brazil.

South African Elections

South African Local Government Election 2021
South African National and Provincial Elections 2024

SOCIAL JUSTICE WOMEN (SJW) is a feminist-led organization that has used the Grant Funds to carry out several effective campaigns. Local Government Elections in 2021 is one of the most recent initiatives. SJW’s initiative resulted in significant participation from both Women, Youth, Girls, and People with Disabilities. At the time the selected provinces of EC and KZN were the main emphasis. IEC acknowledged this throughout their feedback sessions. The success of the initiative will be repeated through the NPE 2024 and beyond as there are upcoming LGE in 2026. The construction for the LGE in 2026 will proceed. Pandemic of COVID-19. SJW had the good fortune to be awarded a grant for humanitarian aid, with special focus on Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. The families were significantly changed as result of this and the project was well received. Even to date SJW is highly recommended and respected for the impact it is making in communities has consistently given due consideration to gender equality throughout its activities to empower Women, Youth and People with Disabilities in support of gender equality.

Message of appreciation to the 2024 National & Provincial Elections Observers

A big thank you to the entire 2024 National and Provincial Elections Observer Contingent that went beyond the call of duty in their work to observe one of the most arguably contested elections in the history of South Africa.

Election Observers, both domestic and international, play a crucial role in ensuring that elections are transparent, free and fair, and most importantly that the outcome is accepted by voters, political parties and independent candidates. Observers also help build public confidence in the integrity of the electoral processes — a role that you have executed with diligence and distinction!