Page 79 - SCAT Rural Voice II - 35 Stories for 35 Years

In 2013 I joined the Flagstaff Advice Centre because I had been sending many women abuse related cases to the centre. I became very committed to my job of fighting for the rights of women as my husband was drinking more and more. When he died tragically in a car accident, I realised the importance of being independent as a woman. now I am responsible for raising my children and taking care of the household by myself.
My experience helped me to hold workshops and raise awareness campaigns in the rural areas. Women had no voice in the community, they were excluded from decision making gatherings held with the chief. Because they are financially dependent on men, many women were not free to openly talk about the abuse they experienced from their husbands or boyfriends. I wanted to change this, so I asked permission from the organisation’s management to hold a meeting with the chief, government departments and members of the community. As a result of this meeting it was agreed that women could exercise their right to take part in community development. I also organized a gathering of women, where we discussed the need to be open about domestic violence when it happens. We agreed that women should not hide their abuse but seek help and support. I then held further workshops with groups of women to empower them to develop their skills so that they can stand on their own and be independent, to have income and improve the standard of their lives.
It was hard holding these workshops in the rural areas due to a lack of funds in the organisation. With the support of SCAT, the Foundation for Human rights and ruLAC, we were able to continue with the human rights awareness campaigns.
We have seen great change in our community due to these workshops. Many women are now independent queens. They are part of committees that drive development in the community. Women feel comfortable to disclose their health statuses, talk about gender-based violence and even make referrals to the Advice Centre. Many women are also improving the financial status of their families and the community as they own and manage small businesses and co-operatives.
It has been a long journey of learning for me since that day I met my husband on the way to the river. My life was hard because of his drinking, but it made me strong. Strong enough to help other women like me become independent and free to play their part in our community’s development.
VuKA MAMA WenZe
ndingumama oneminyaka eyi 49 wase Flagstaff, kwilalai yase Sphaqeni kumhlaba wamaMpondo, kwiphondo leMpuma-Koloni. ndingumama wabantwana abathathu nomzukulwana omnye. ndingumntu onothando, othethayo, osoloko efuna ukunceda abantu nokubacebisa. ndahlangana nomyeni endleli eya emlanjeni, ndisiya kukha amanzi. Wandibulisa. ndavuma. Wandibuza indlela eya esikolweni apho kukho kusibari wakhe. Wafika wathi kuye uyibonile intombi eza kuba ngumfazi wakhe. Kodwa wabe engathethanga nto kum. emva koko ngenye imini wahlala phantsi nam wacela umtshato, savumelana, satshata, sahlala kamnandi iminyaka. esaphila wayesela utywala kakhulu, esebenza amatorho kwi khontrakhi, imali ingezi ngokwaneleyo ukuba ndifezekise iimfuno zekhaya. Kube lapho endiye ndacela ukuba ndifune umsebenzi, ngoba kunzima, kubuhlungu ukuxhomekeka endodeni. Akuzange kube lula kodwa waye wandivumela. ndawufumana umsenzi esuphamakhethi edolophini eFlagstaff. Akuzenge kube
Gender
RuRal Voice ii: 35 stories for 35 years
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