Women their own liberators, says Wise Woman Stand Community Organisation

A group of women from the Malvern community is taking a stand against women abuse and providing support to those in need.

Wise Women Stand Community Organisation is a non-profit organisation managed by a group of women for women who need spiritual and emotional support.

Founder, Sbongile Motsosi, said she was heartbroken by the abuse women have to go through in communities, and the lack of support to change that situation.

“As women, we are told to be strong at work, marriage and life. Sadly, in some cases staying strong could lead to death. Because they were too afraid to ask for help they stay in dangerous situations.With this support group, we want to end the idea that women could stay strong in dangerous situations. We want women to feel powerful enough to say no to abuse, and to walk away from it,” said Motsosi.

The support group started in 2017. Motsosi has been growing it by recruiting women who share the same ideas, and getting the relevant partners who can assist the group in offering abused women with the right kind of support.

“We have partnered with organisations such as POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse) that have been assisting us. They will provide us with training on counselling.

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“As a support group we want to be able to offer professional help and understand how we handle cases,” said Motsosi.

She said they want to work with the police, clinics and other organisations in the community.

Member of the support group Juju Seleho said they are willing to work and offer support to people outside the Malvern community.

“Abuse is not limited to the Malvern area. Our support group is not going to only focus on abused women, but also motivate those who are living a life that will lead them to an abusive life. There are many young girls who need guidance and support because they don’t receive any at home, and the support group can be that safe platform to seek advice,” said Seleho.

The group is planning to officially launch in August 31 in Malvern.

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“This launch is important to us because we want people to know about us, and to understand what are we are about. Women need to know they are not alone, and that there are people willing to support and be there for them and support them,” said Seleho.

The support group currently has 30 members and growing.

They meet four times a month.

“We meet regularly to share ideas and motivate one another. We have different speakers who come and share their stories on different issues. After you come out of an abusive relationship, you need to start thinking about the future,” said Seleho.

The group’s future plans are also to help women to start their own businesses, and train them in hand skills.

“If we empower women in starting their own business, or in doing hard work, we giving them the power to self-sustain and not depend on a man to provide because many women stay in abusive situations because of financial dependence,” said Motsosi.

She said the group is still struggling because they use their own money to run the group.

“We don’t have any financial support. We are in need of support in the form of resources. If people are interested to support us or to donate to the group, they can contact us,” said Motsosi.

She encouraged women to speak out and take a stand against abuse.

“We invite women young and old to come to our support group. Take a stand to turn your situation around. Sometimes keeping quite is not the solution, but if you meet with others and share your story you can find hope and assistance,” said Motsosi.

If you are abused and need assistance call Sbongile Motsosi on 078 7855 954 or Juju Seleho 083 2121 725.