As a society, we are well aware that there are multiple roles that women play as caretakers, mothers, businesswomen, wives, sisters, aunts, grandmothers and entrepreneurs.
Most women have many titles under their belt and, without providing support and empowerment, we are doing a great injustice to all the incredible women in our lives.
media update's Saads Abrahams spoke to Professor Elain Vlok, the Clover manager of Clover Mama Afrika Trust, in her opinion on the importance of empowering women in our community. Read on to see what she had to say.
Why should there be a prioritised focus on women's empowerment in South Africa?
Empowering the women of South Africa is vital as it leads to sustainable development.
Many of our country's children are cared for by a Gogo. These Gogos are seen as leaders in their homes, their streets and their communities — and are respected for the care and wisdom they impart.
Leveraging the power of
strong female leaders solidifies the
foundations of empowerment in communities. If a pillar or strength is further enabled, you see the development of those around her.
Our Mama Afrikas, for example, get to sharpen the skills they already have or learn a new skill that they are then able to take back to their
own communities and uplift those around them by
imparting this knowledge.
What is the importance of upskilling women in South Africa?
Women should feel
empowered by the impact they make to
go beyond their own expectations.
Acquiring skills is important as these help you to achieve your goals, boost confidence and give you motivation for working too.
By upskilling women, we are enabling them to care for and progress not only themselves but those around them.
The Clover Mama Afrika team are firm believers of the proverb, "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."
By equipping individuals, you are setting them up for great success in their future because you are enabling them to help both themselves and others.
What can brands and organisations do to empower women within their respective industries?
Big corporations need to make a budget available for skills, training and equipment, but the money should be well-managed. We also need to
change the mindset of women rather than, for example, only providing temporary donations.
Enriching someone's life with
knowledge and a skillset is a long-lasting gift that has the potential to
make an impact for years.
The development of an attitude of 'hard work' pays off, and an additional benefit is that working sets a great example for our children, especially if we are women with daughters.
How do women contribute to empowering their communities?
[Women] empower those around them in their communities, [and this is] a
key element to the success of their environments.
The Mama Afrikas, for example, are great examples in their communities of how
passion and dedication can lead to upliftment and sustainability. The Mama Afrikas empower those around them through the transfer of skills and, therefore, the learned ability to take care of themselves using their skills.
Skills transfer is the biggest element of empowerment in the female community.
What resources should be provided to women in local communities that can be used to uplift their community as a whole?
Clover Mama Afrika believes in
teaching rather than just giving.
Enrich our women with knowledge and skills, so that those we help are able to go forth and better themselves and others in their family or community.
Prof Elain Vlok (back) with all the Mama Afrikas from the Clover Mama Afrika project.
What are your thoughts on empowering women in our communities? Let us know in the comments section below.
*Image courtesy of Canva and Clover Mama Afrika