Women and Girl Child Empowerment

With this Project, More Care International (MCI) focuses on addressing issues of skills development, substance abuse, abuse such as the physical, social, economic and emotional abuse of women and the girl child.

It is known that mothers play a pivotal role in society. When the leader of More Care International introduced this program he was remembering his biological mother who was a great woman. She moulded him to be a good and hard-working young man and today he is a hard worker that doesn’t fear anything. He witnessed the suffering of his mother and today he wants to see all mothers being taken care of.

Violence, abuse and lack of skills of women and girls is a reality in society even today. Studies still report on the issue in that it is indicated that 40% -50% of women have experienced intimate partner violence as well as attacks from strangers. This shows violence against women is firmly established in South Africa, and it does not appear to be changing anytime soon. There is a cycle of abuse in the society and MCI seeks to break that cycle.

Issues of Gender-based violence crimes within families , communities and society at large have been increasing at an alarming rate in South Africa. This leaves a gap for MCI to not sit with folded hands, but to offer a helping hand. The statistics are grim, in that one in every two women are predicted to experience some form of violence within their lifetimes.

Most obstacles to the development of women are related to poverty, violence and abuse and inadequate access to education, employment, health cases and legal representation. Poverty is perhaps the most historically entrenched and is a common challenge. Most South African women are situated in rural areas, where poverty is rife due to the underdevelopment of the areas. Employment is particularly difficult to find, making it more likely for women to depend almost entirely on the wages of their husbands, or partners and/ or Government grants. MCI has undertaken the responsibility to provide education, awareness and support to women and girls who are victims of violence and abuse.

In respect of the Girl Child, the Girl Children in South Africa are not only affected by poverty and abuse in the home but also by the discrimination they face at school regarding subject choices which are seen as suitable for male learners only. Many girls are sexually harassed at school, and often forced to drop out due to pregnancy, possibly caused by rape. On the other hand drug and alcohol abuse and prostitution to support a habit are challenges most frequently faced by girls in urban areas. This affects their chance to receive a good education. The rate of HIV infection among these school girls is a cause of concern.

It is estimated that one out of every six women in South Africa is regularly assaulted by her partner. Every day, women are murdered, physically and sexually assaulted, threatened and humiliated by their partners, within their own homes

A child who is exposed to violence in the home also risks being abused and will, quite reasonably, fear for their own safety. It is in respect of these issues that MCI wants to be a vehicle for women and girls empowerment teaching them entrepreneurship so they can be self-reliant.