Houghton community leader unites women for international women’s day
Women Developing Others was founded to tackle societal social ills.
The Women Developing Others Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) hosted a successful international women’s day event at Patterson Park Library on March 8.
Founder Ouma Khasu said as an activist her calling was to help her community, especially the youth.
“For many years I’ve been involved in this form of counselling, praying and supporting members. It was easy for me to do because I come from Soweto where it took a village to raise a child so I didn’t want to leave those values behind. This is the main reason why I began Women Developing Others believing that we can’t change the situation of societal ills alone.”
Khasu added that the organisation recognised international women’s day as a day to collaborate with women.
Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett said she enjoyed attending fruitful events, especially around youth empowerment.
“I met Ouma months ago at the centre because I am the ward councillor of the area. Ever since then, she has invited me to the events she hosts because we have such a backlog of what is happening to women and children. I admire the fact that it is not only women developing themselves but others as well because we have to support one another regardless of gender.”
Commission for Gender Equality’s Ohara Ngoma-Diseko concluded that the significance of this day came from ordinary women fighting against the patriarchy and she admired the Women Developing Others organisation for having the same spirit.
