Building Confidence. Creating Opportunities. Transforming Lives.
We work collaboratively with development partners through public- private partnership targeted socio-economic upliftment initiatives that equip women survivors of gender-based violence in shelters, youth and persons with disabilities with practical, workplace-ready accredited qualifications, digital skills and psychosocial support. Restoring confidence, enhancing employability and creating pathways toward long-term independence and economic reintegration.
Godishanang Empowerment Programme
Our Godishanang Empowerment Programme is a gender equity and empowerment initiative focused on supporting women survivors of gender based violence within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligned to the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF (Republic of South Africa, 2020).
The Programme empowers women survivors of gender-based violence using an integrated approach that encompasses skills and entrepreneurial development through accredited training, workshops, as well as support towards psychological healing through coaching, counselling and mentorship. Programme Initiatives include:
- SETA accredited training in sewing
- SETA accredited training in pattern making
- Workplace Placement
- Psychosocial Support
Economic empowerment alone is insufficient without psychosocial support, safety, dignity restoration, and access to sustainable opportunities. Our Godishanang Empowerment Programme provides established integrated pathways that guide survivors from vulnerability toward healing, economic independence, leadership and long-term resilience.
“I can proudly say that the skill I have acquired as well as the tools provided, will bring a huge difference to myself emotionally and financially. I gained valuable skills, practical knowledge that I did not have before. Through the training, I learned valuable sewing skills as such as how to use a sewing machine, take measurements, cut fabric correctly, repair garments and make different clothing items. This programme provided me with technical skills and also taught me patience and commitment and the importance of hard work. I now have a sense of purpose and my mind was opened to possible opportunities for self-employment and income generation.
Before joining the programme, I had limited practical skills and no chance of improving my financial situation. I would like to thank Nyamukara and the Department of Social Development and everyone involved in making this programme possible. The tailoring programme has made a real difference and it has planted a seed of hope, independence and empowerment in my life and I am committed to using the skills I gained to build a better future.”
“Before I started on Nyamakura programme, my life was not easy. I was really struggling financially and otherwise. My family was under undue hardship. I was introduced to this programme through the Department of Social Development. It was my first time being introduced to designing and sewing. The programme has been beneficial to me as we were taught how to sew dresses, skirts, shirts and pants.”
“I am 40 years old with a teenage son. I was also unemployed but I now have sewing skills, which I use to make money. The collaboration between Department of Social Development and Nyamukara helped me with tools that I did not have. I want to talk about pattern making training. Pattern making helps me a lot with creating pattern templates, from which garments are cut and sewn. Pattern Making a is a key step in garment production. It ensures accurate cutting and minimizes fabric waste. If you use your pattern, you will never go wrong. Now that I know how to make a pattern, I make my own before sewing and I work with confidence and precision and I no longer struggle to make ends meet.”
“Skills development really changed my life. I am an unemployed mother of 2.When I started in a project, I started seeing a lot of change in my life. When I was a little girl, I used to watch my dad sewing church garments for all church members. That’s when I enjoyed and loved sewing. Since I started in this journey, I gained a lot of skills. I can now start a garment from scratch and I even take garments that I no longer need and turn them into something else. I would like to thank Nyamukara Empowerment for the sewing and overlock machine they gave me. Now I am helping my father with sewing church garments since he doesn’t have time to do it anymore. Nyamukara really brought change to my life because I even have a request to sew a uniform for a church choir. I would like to start my own sewing business so that I can support my kids and my family. I want my parents to feel proud of me. What Nyamukara did to me, Also continue to do to others. I am what I am because of you, Nyamukara. I send words of 1 cor.15vs10 and Mat7vs12
Fabric Designs
Fabrics designed created by participant in the Godishanang Empowerment Programme
GBV Dialogues
South Africa continues to face alarmingly high levels of gender-based violence (GBV), impacting the safety, dignity and the economic participation of women.
Our GBV dialogues seek to create a safe, inclusive space for communities, stakeholders and survivors to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences and co-create solutions to address GBV at a grassroots level.
Aligned with the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF), our dialogues contributes towards prevention, awareness and community mobilisation efforts.
Objectives
- To raise awareness on Gender Based Violence and its socio-economic impact
- To facilitate open dialogue between community members, experts and stakeholders
- To empower women with information on available support services and strengthen community-driven prevention strategies
- To promote gender equality and social cohesion
Dialogues are held in the various provinces with the main objective of facilitating stakeholder engagement in promoting conversations on the root causes of gender-based violence, preventative measures and gender economic equity. They unpack key challenges, success stories, support services, resources available, lessons learnt and the importance of private-public sector partnerships
Digital Literacy Training
We believe that digital skills are essential for economic independence and social inclusion. The knowledge, understanding and skill to use digital technology in its various forms and from different platforms and sources is fundamental in today’s digital world. The integration of gender- specific strategic programmes lies in the centre of Nyamukara Empowerment’s aim to bridge the digital divide and access to digital technologies that shape our lives and world economies.
Introduced in 2023, as an empowerment tool in overcoming the gender digital literacy divide and inequality, our digital literacy programme combines foundational digital literacy, Microsoft Office proficiency, workplace readiness training and professional development to enhance employability among beneficiaries and address economic exclusion. Participants gain competencies for employment, entrepreneurship and financial self-sufficiency. The programme provides hands-on training in essential computer skills, internet navigation, email communication, online safety, Microsoft Office applications, digital job searching, and basic digital entrepreneurship. Participants also learn how to use technology to access government and support services, manage finances and connect with employment and business opportunities.
By combining digital literacy with our broader women’s empowerment initiatives, we help our beneficiaries develop the confidence, resilience and skills needed to achieve greater economic independence and long-term sustainability.
