Former eThekwini Deputy Mayor, Fawzia Peer and Minority Front (MF) leader, Ms Shameen Thakur Rajbansi, supported the event at the God’s Victory Community Centre, on Saturday, 6 March, Chatsworth, Durban, ahead of International Women’s Day.
Both women stressed the importance of the milestone in the ongoing fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in the country, especially amidst the hardships of the COVID-19 global crisis.
“I am elated at the fact that there are organisations in our areas that promote women. That is so important, especially when it comes to GBV,” said Peer.
Author, Dr Marlini Moodley, received an overwhelming response to her women empowerment book, Entrepreneurship for Woman – The African Dream. The anthology comprises of several short, inspiring stories from victims of GBV and other adversities, who have overcome severe personal hardship, before achieving immeasurable business success.
“During the pandemic, there has been so much hopelessness and despair. People, especially women, have been grasping at straws. It is my strong desire that this book will encourage women to find their passion and their purpose; to start a little enterprise from home and sustain themselves, as well as contribute towards the economic growth of our country,” said Dr Moodley.
The book launch was hosted by Priscilla Govender, founder of the Croftdene Women’s Empowerment Group, who celebrated their 20th anniversary on Saturday and who was also featured in the book. The organisation was established, when Govender experienced a high number of mothers turning to prostitution to support their children, during her time as a former child welfare employee and subsequent board member.
This is when she developed the “Each One, Teach One” philosophy, approaching women with skills to upskill other women, making it easier for women to find sustainable employment.
“I helped one mother to get a job at a factory when she told me she started selling herself to feed her children. We taught her how to sew, taught her a skill and gave her a chance for a better life. From that, we started helping more and more women. I believe, if you empower women, you empower a nation. I am so proud that we are still here 20 years later, helping women and families, with the help of our church,” said Govender.
Rajbansi congratulated Dr Moodley for creating a legacy for other women to follow suit and also, commended the hard work of the organisation’s volunteers and leaders. She stressed how important it was for women to have an outlet like this empowerment group.
“As women, it is important to uplift each other. We have lost so many people to Covid-19, making life harder, but we must be thankful that we have the opportunity to make a difference and there are so many women wanting to,” she said.
Among the businesswomen featured in the book, who spoke briefly on what their experiences were like, were Seema Raghubar, Nozie Sogoni, Sharmla Govender and Sheetal Cross.
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