The People Opposing Women Abuse organisation which is better known Powa was the first organisation in South Africa to have a shelter designed for abused women.
The organisation has been running for more than 42 years but has always kept the same mission and goal since its introduction in the late 70s.
Powa communication manager, Thandiwe McCloy, has been ensuring to keep the awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) running by writing articles, press releases and organising media to cover protests, campaigns and discussions for the public and for the survivors.
She recently assisted Africa Cares Tennis Challenge and Mercedes Benz by organising for a GBV survivor supported by Powa.
“Powa’s vision is to create a safe and equal environment for everyone and to also empower the survivors of abuse. The organisation provides advocacy, skill development opportunities, counselling, legal services and sheltering to gender-based violence survivors,” said McCloy.
McCloy shared a few memorable moments that the organisations had in the past two years: their partnership with Unilever tea brand, Joko on stopping GBV, training organisations in South Africa on various aspects of domestic violence and hosting ‘healing days’ throughout the country.
As explained by McCloy, ‘healing days’ are sessions were survivors of GBV all get together and share their experiences of abuse and how they managed to overcome it. The communication manager added a highlight which made her realise how much of an impact the organisation had in society during their 16 Days of Activism protest in 2020.
“During the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in 2020, Powa held a march where we handed a memorandum to Minister of Police Bheki Cele and then handed a memorandum to Advocate Shamila Batohi, the National Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority, calling for the criminal justice system to provide greater support to gender-based violence survivors.”
McCloy concluded that the organisation’s goal for the year is to continue to support and advocate for GBV survivors through court procedures and health care.
If you know of anyone who is experiencing any forms of abuse, please contact Powa on 011 642 4345/6 or reach the organisation on powa.co.za for more information.
