The number of violence against Women and Children in South Africa is very high. The United Nations defines violence against women as 'any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.'
Violence against women and children has led to various other problems such as broken homes thus causing high rate of street children and these forms of violence result in physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health and other health problems, and may increases vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.
WAMY on behalf of WCRP trained 280 Community influencers to prevent relationship violence among young people and implement training in communities on the causes and effects of Violence against Women and Children. Other primary prevention strategies, put in place by WAMY are skills development combined with gender equality training and community-based initiatives that address gender inequality, communication and relationship skills.
WAMY is currently engaged in developing manuals on violence against Women and Children from an Islamic perspective.
Training in basic computer skills provides essential job-related skills and empowers disadvantaged youths. Participants are better qualified and become productive individuals in their communities. With the help and initial donation of 10 Computers from a well wisher, WAMY established the Abu Haniffah Institute of Research and development to implement among other trainings, computer training for the unemployed youth. The centre received a generous donation of computers, printers and furniture from Ned bank after its first graduation to boost its enrolments.
What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
Thousands of youths & young adults in South Africa have never used a computer, let alone received any basic training / education in Information Age skills. Through this training, unemployed youths and school dropouts will be able to become productively engaged and better qualified to obtain jobs that were previously unqualified for. There is a dire need for this form of training in our area.
How will this project solve this problem?
Youth & young adults are provided with affordable training in basic computer skills, office applications & Internet. These skills are in high demand. Group interactions, mentoring, discussions and question & answer sessions help to reinforce learning.
Potential Long Term Impact
This training is transforming the lives of participants as it broadens their options and offers new opportunities. Youths & young adults become computer literate and proficient and consequently viable and competitive in the market place.
Achievement
Since inception of this program in 2011, 156 learners completed the program and graduated with competent certificates accredited by Microsoft during 2 graduation programs which were held in May and November respectively.
Entrepreneurial Development Studies (EDS) is a custom-built programme at WAMY. The course is a module programme and compulsory for all students in the skills development irrespective of the student’s chosen field of study. It involves both spiritual and practical. The operations of the programme are housed in the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Studies (CEDS) at 189 Clare Rd.
The Vision of the Centre:
The Vision of the Centre is to empower skills development graduates entrepreneurially in a bid to make them productive and contribute significantly toward socio-economic and human development.
The Mission of the Centre:
To develop an entrepreneurial spirit, skills and knowledge in the students and others in the external context so as to empower them to become wealth creators.
To empower the entire community in a bid to alleviate poverty in its entire ramification.
The Objectives of the Centre
The establishment of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Studies is in line with the objectives of WAMY and the Vision 2009 to 2014 to become a leader in Youth development with tangible and durable impact on sustainable development on communities.
The specific objectives include the following:
• Creating and promoting entrepreneurial awareness and opportunities;
• Imparting entrepreneurial skills in the students, staff, and members of the external context in contact with the Centre;
• Enhancing the capacity of potential and practicing entrepreneurs who desire to learn practical skills that will make them self–employed and self-dependent;
• Stimulating the development and growth of entrepreneurship amongst poor communities
• Provision of market linkages;
• Mentoring of SMEs; and
• Offering supportive programmes to SME operators.
Activities of the Centre
The main activities of the Centre are in three broad categories:
• Coordinating and teaching the theoretical perspectives on entrepreneurship;
• Coordination of practical demonstrations in selected Entrepreneurial fields; and
• Community impact and capacity building initiatives.
Collaborations
• WAMY will seek to collaborate with any interested partners in Entrepreneurial fields
Many women from emerging communities have low levels of education and training denying them access to decent employment opportunities resulting in many of them and their dependants trapped in extreme poverty.
With South Africa's unemployment rate as high as 40 percent in terms of a broad definition, the accelerated creation of sustainable small and micro enterprises is essential both to economic growth and to future socio-political stability. Skills development in emerging communities' has the potential to create jobs, small businesses and alleviate poverty. This can be done by channeling resources into disadvantaged communities.
Skills development can offer women a path out of poverty, as well as empower them to challenge unfair gender relations. Financial self-sufficiency can give women greater autonomy within the home, enabling them to renegotiate household relationships and promote sound family growth.
With the above views, WAMY developed skills development units based at 189 Clare Rd and Umlazi Islamic centre. This program which started in 2008 was a result of a research conducted by the social department of WAMY which reviewed shocking findings in regards to social and economical situation of women in emerging communities.
Since inception, Over 100 women have graduated and formed cooperatives and are working hard to set up small businesses and access funds to put their gained skills to good use.
The following skills are offered:
• Sewing
• Bead work
• Advanced Chocolate Making
• Flower arranging
• Parenting
• Computer literacy.
• Baking