Women Empowerment

The Goal

Ikemele, meaning "to rise up", is a sponsorship program created to empower survivors of gender-based violence to overcome their vulnerable circumstances & live a life of restored hope, strength & financial independence.

The challenge

51% of South African women have experienced domestic violence.
A woman is killed by her partner every 6 hours, making intimate partner violence the leading cause of death for female homicide victims.
Only 1 in 9 rapes are reported, but it is estimated that over 40% of South African women will experience rape in their lifetime.
Gender based violence cases have tripled during COVID-19 national lockdowns.
Over 30% of black women in South Africa are unemployed.
For every R1 a male South African earns, a woman earns 7 cents.

What the Program Offers

Through equipping a woman with skills training, psycho-social support & practical resources, she can achieve financial independence and the power over her own decisions.

The holistic 6 month Ikemele program offers:

Weekly support groups & one-on-one counselling sessions
Life skills, human rights & GBV awareness education
Technical skills training in Computer Literacy, Sewing & Beading or Cashier & Merchandising
Social relief including food parcels, transport fare to classes, clothing & baby goods donations & referrals to support services

After graduation, we connect her to local employment opportunities or help her plan, seed fund & launch a small business. Ikemele graduates also become part of the Ikemele Alumni, a network to encourage further relationship building & support.

achievements to date

sponsor the ikemele program

This life changing program is solely reliant on donations from individuals and corporates.
Please consider sponsoring a women for our next intake, or making a monthly contribution to the program.

LOCAL DONORS

INTERNATIONAL DONORS

Meet Lebogang, a Mabopane woman whose life has been turned around with the help of Lesedi la Batho. Today she is employed, purposeful and thriving!