GBV Survivors Running Small Businesses with Skills Gained through the #EndDomesticSilence Initiative
The #EndDomesticSilence initiative being run by tea brand, JOKO, in partnership with People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) is giving abused women across South Africa the chance to learn a range of different skills and then sell their products and services. Through this nationwide initiative that has been operating since the start of 2022, they are learning make-up application, wig-making, nail installation and eyelash extension, learning to drive and attaining sewing, baking, computer and HIV lay counselling skills. By the end of the year, 300 gender-based violence (GBV) survivors would have been trained.
Beneficiaries of this empowering programme are survivors who’ve received counselling at POWA offices and at various NGOs that POWA has partnered with through the #EndDomesticSilence initiative. These NGOs, all based in GBV hotspots, include Get Informed Youth Development Centre in Gauteng, Umtata Women’s Support Centre in the Eastern Cape, Banna Ba Kae in the North West Province, Schoemansdal Victims Support Centre in Mpumalanga, the Vee Van Heerden Foundation in the Free State and the Social Workers’ Empowerment Training and Support (SWETS) in KwaZulu-Natal among others.
In addition to providing survivors supported by these organisations with skills, the partnership has also involved training them on numerous aspects of domestic violence so they can better respond to it and hosting Healing Days where GBV survivors share their experiences of abuse and how they triumphed over them.
Some women have harnessed the knowledge gained through this skills development programme, funded by JOKO, and are now running small enterprises, so enabling them to generate income. “By being empowered to earn money, women are better able to support themselves and their children,” says Mpho Masilo, POWA’s Projects and Training Manager. “This way, they are more likely to end their silence and speak out about abuse – rather than stay in abusive relationships – because they are economically independent. They are also at reduced risk of being lured by fake employment opportunities that put them in danger.”
A 32-year-old woman from Thembisa is just one of the survivors who benefitted from the beauty skills training provided by Kholofelo Duma, the owner of KD Royalty, in Diepkloof, Soweto. Now she is earning an income through doing acrylic nails for various clients in her community from her home. While she learnt a range of skills within the beauty course, she chose to focus on doing nail installation as she enjoys it most and regards it as her strong point. Once she has gained much experience in nail installation, she wants to add make up application to the services she provides.
“Before I started my business of doing nails, I wasn’t working, so I’m really grateful I’m now making some money to support myself and my child,” she says. “Perfecting my nail application skills is also helping to rebuild my self-esteem and hope in the future, which was damaged through the abuse I suffered from my ex-husband,” she says. “He swore at me and said hurtful words to me. He dominated our conversations and wouldn’t let me have my own views and opinions. He sometimes slapped me, even when I was pregnant. I am really thankful for the counselling I received through the POWA Thembisa office and then the opportunity I got to learn various skills within the beauty industry.”
Her heart has always been set on entrepreneurship rather than having a regular 9 to 5 job and she previously ran a business making ice cubes for a garage in her area. Engaging with this #EndDomesticSilence skills development programme has sparked her entrepreneurial passion and flair.
“I really enjoy what I do because I get to be creative with different colours and stickers,” she says. “Running my own business means I have more time to do what I want because I’m not tied to a desk. I’m not controlled by anyone and can make and action my own decisions on how I want things to prosper. However, one challenge of being a business owner is making enough money to meet my own needs and then having enough to inject into the business.”
In striving to be as successful as possible, she is currently undergoing a business administration course. “My dream is to eventually open my own salon,” she says.
A 26-year-old young woman from Umtata, who received counselling from the Umtata Women’s Support Centre in the Eastern Cape, is now also making money with skills she gained through the #EndDomesticSilence initiative.
The initiative gave her and nine other survivors the chance to learn to make beautiful beaded products including watches, earrings, bangles, necklaces and head beads for men with their clan names embellished on them.
“My brother insulted and shouted at everyone in the house and he even beat my mother, which caused her to die from the stress,” she explains. “Being around other women who had suffered GBV during the training strengthened me. I’m now selling beaded necklaces, bangles and watches to members of my community. I’m grateful for my new skill, which is the only skill I have. Before I started selling products, I wasn’t really working. I sometimes did people’s laundry and I’m grateful that I’m now busier than before. I really like mixing colours and being creative with my beadwork.”
She lives with eight family members, who are supported by child support grants and the old age grant, so she’s happy to supplement the family income by selling her merchandise. She plans to extend her offerings by learning to sew beads onto clothes. “I also want to train women in beadwork, so I can employ them and expand my business,” she adds.
Survivors have also said it is assisting them to support their kids. By bettering the lives of survivors and their children, the #EndDomesticSilence initiative is enabling women to better protect themselves from GBV while positively impacting the lives of generations to come.
If you would like to buy the products and services of beneficiaries of this skills development programme, you can email info@powa.co.za
