From Saturday, 15 February to Saturday, 15 March, Vukile says its 'Empowered Women' initiative has brought together survivors, activists and community leaders in safe spaces where women can connect, share their stories and access important GBV resources. Through hands-on support, Vukile reaffirms its commitment to creating real, lasting change in the communities it serves.

Transformation at Community Level

Gender-based violence remains a devastating reality in South Africa, with statistics highlighting the urgent need for sustained intervention and support. Vukile says its 'Empowered Women' initiative seeks to address this crisis by creating opportunities for women to be heard, supported, and empowered to reclaim their strength.

"Too often, survivors of GBV feel isolated and unsupported," says Marijke Coetzee, Director of Marketing and Communications at Vukile. "With this initiative, we want to show women that they are not alone. By working closely with local community projects and leaders, we are driving real transformation — creating lasting change that women can feel at a community level."

Enabling Support Where It's Needed Most

The engagement of local NGOs has been pivotal in identifying local influencers, survivors and activists who have led discussions at these events. Attendees have heard powerful testimonies from survivors, gained insight into their rights and accessed essential resources to help them navigate their own journeys. The initiative has also welcomed other survivors who wish to share their stories, reinforcing the power of collective strength and healing, says the company. 

"I have been privileged to lead Vukile's corporate social responsibility efforts in their retail centres for the past six years, and this initiative is one of the most inspiring we've worked on," says Corinne Fouché, Corporate Social Responsibility Project Manager at Mustard Seed. "The response from local GBV activists and organisations has been overwhelming, as they recognise Vukile's commitment to addressing such a sensitive issue with care and responsibility. We know we can't solve every societal challenge, but we can make a tangible difference by delivering real support where it matters most."

Tools for Lasting Empowerment

Vukile says true empowerment goes beyond raising awareness — it's about equipping women with the tools to take action. Each 'Empowered Women' event has provided practical skills and resources through:

  • discussions on personal experiences and GBV awareness
  • role-playing exercises for safe interventions
  • community action planning to develop local solutions
  • movement sessions to uplift and energise participants, and
  • refreshments and a light lunch.

"This initiative is about more than creating engaging events — it's about providing real support," says Coetzee. "By combining education and awareness with action, we're giving women the tools to empower themselves and create a lasting impact in the communities we serve."

Nationwide Event Details

Each 'Empowered Women' event has welcomed up to 150 women and girls (female attendees only). Invitations were extended through local activists and media, with attendees able to RSVP via Google Forms, says the company. 

According to Vukile, the eight participating shopping centres and event dates comprise:

  • KwaMashu Shopping Centre: Saturday, 15 February
  • Hammarsdale Junction: Saturday, 15 February
  • Phoenix Plaza: Saturday, 22 February
  • Maluti Crescent: Saturday, 1 March
  • Dobsonville Shopping Centre: Saturday, 8 March
  • Gugulethu Square: Saturday, 8 March
  • Atlantis Shopping Centre: Saturday, 15 March, and
  • Daveyton Mall: Saturday, 15 March.

Power Dynamics and the South African Legal Framework

The 'Empowered Women' events equip women with essential knowledge to understand gender and power dynamics, recognise the signs of gender-based violence and know their rights under South African law.

Coetzee says, "True empowerment begins with education, and Vukile is committed to ensuring that women have access to the information they need to reclaim their power and drive meaningful change in gender dynamics within their communities."

Through this initiative, Vukile concludes it is creating real impact, for real people, in the communities it serves. 

For more information, visit www.vukile.co.za. You can also follow Vukile on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X. 

*Image courtesy of contributor