About Us 2

What We Do?

1) Sheltering

As one of our core frontline services, POWA provides shelters for clients and their children who have been victims of GBV. We have two emergency shelters on Johannesburg’s West Rand and East Rand. While the West Rand shelter accommodates 10 women and their children, the one on the East Rand houses 20 women and their kids. Survivors are accommodated for up to a year.

2) Counselling Services

POWA provides face-to-face, group and telephonic counselling and referrals at our six branch offices as well as counselling through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to women who have experienced violence. Our offices are strategically located in economically disadvantaged communities and the Johannesburg inner city for easy to access services.

3) Legal Department

As part of POWA’s commitment to ensuring abused women have access to their legal rights, we aim to provide quality, comprehensive women-centred legal services and engage in national and regional advocacy for the protection and promotion of women’s rights. We have a survivor-centred approach and strive for a safe and equal society intolerant of all forms of violence against women and girls.

4) Outreach & Media

Part of the responsibilities of all branch offices is to partner with various entities within communities like the South African Police Service, Child Welfare and the Department of Social Development to raise awareness on numerous aspects of gender-based violence as well as POWA services and rights education, with a specific focus on women’s rights and access to justice.

5) Advocacy

Keeping the gender based violence sector and other related and relevant sectors informed about violence against women and gender based violence is essential in ensuring that responses address the needs of women in South Africa and the sub-region. The overall goal of the research department is to create and continually update feminist knowledge on violence and against women in order to inform and ensure effective women-centred interventions and provide information to the wider community. The findings of POWA’s are translated into research into publications, presentations and advocacy briefs and plain language leaflets. The Research department provides POWA with critical information and feminist analysis which informs our planning, monitoring and evaluation of the programs and services of the organisation.

6) Training & Development

Our History

POWA was formed in 1979 by a group of women volunteers to provide referral services and shelter to women experiencing domestic violence. POWA was the first organisation to establish a shelter for abused women in 1981 and pioneered second stage (or transitional) housing for women in 2009 in Gauteng. The direct services delivery component of the organisation forms the basis of and informs all advocacy interventions, at local, national and regional level.
With over 40 years of history behind us, we have become an organisation that is considered to be an expert on issues of women’s rights. We are consulted by the private sector, government and civil society on educational and decision-making matters pertaining to women’s safety and enjoyment of our rights.f

Our Vision & Mission Statements

Mission

To be a feminist organisation that provides professional services that comprise advocacy, training, psycho-social support, legal and sheltering to survivors of violence. POWA is committed to enhancing the quality of life of all women and girls.

Transformed Into…

Vision

A safe and equal society intolerant of all forms of violence against women and girls in all our diversity, where we are treated with respect and dignity and our rights are promoted.

Our Achievements

Over the years, some of our notable achievements have included:

POWA established the first shelter in 1981; the first of its kind that accommodated women and their children;

In 2009, POWA established the first Gauteng-based second stage (or transitional) housing scheme for women;

Building the capacity of emerging organisations in all nine provinces, which in turn leads to better access for women from rural and under-resourced areas;

Jozi Award Community Development Award 2015: POWA

Gauteng Department of Social Development MEC Mazibuko 2015 Gauteng Care Givers Awards: POWA;

Contributing to the law – making process around the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act and to monitoring the implementation of these laws;

Ensuring greater access to justice and legal services for women;

Board Members

Our board board consists of the following members:

Name | Board Chairperson

Felleng Yende | Deputy Board Chairperson

Noluthando Molau | Treasurer

Linda Diedericks | Position

Rebecca Hlabatau | Position

Hlengiwe Khoza | Position

Our Staff

POWA staff include social workers, social auxiliary workers, a Legal Manager, Legal Assistant, a Communications Manager, housemothers, cooks, a caretaker, driver, administration staff and volunteers.