Khethiwe Sibanyoni Empowers Survivors With Comfort Bags, Combating Gender-Based Violence Through Foundation

• This young woman is a force to be reckoned with as she works to empower survivors of gender-based violence through her compassionate initiative
• To those facing unimaginable trauma, Khethiwe has created a movement centered around providing comfort bags to women in need
• Khethiwe Sibanyoni spoke to Briefly News about her comfort bag initiative, which helps survivors of gender-based violence

A young and inspiring activist, Khethiwe Sibanyoni, has taken a stand against gender-based violence by establishing a foundation to combat this pervasive issue.

Khethiwe Sibanyoni's comfort bags offer hope to survivors of gender-based violence

With a passion for change and determination to make a difference, Sibanyoni's efforts have garnered attention and support from those who believe in the urgent need to address the GBV crisis in South Africa. According to Daily Maverick, in the first three months of 2023, 1,0512 women were raped, 1485 attempted murders of women were reported, and 969 women were killed.

Read also

Miss World SA 2023 quarter finalist empowers youth by tackling societal problems head-on

The 23-year-old received numerous messages from women in danger, desperately seeking help to leave abusive marriages with their children. Its through this that she started the foundation to help fight against the increasing incidents of gender-based violence in the country and to inspire young people to do the same.

"Khethi's Foundation is working to reduce femicide and gender-based violence by actively collaborating with others in the fight against this problem."

Through her organisation she is raising awareness and taking tangible steps to support and empower survivors of gender-based violence.

She says:

"I have been contacted by many women in danger needing a way to leave their marriages with their kids in the safest way possible. I could not assist every single family. For those that I did assist, I dialed the shelters I work with asking if there was any available space, I worked closely with SAPS in arranging the time to collect the families without creating a scene about it. The best times for most ladies were when their husbands were at work. We were able to get these ladies and their children to safety. The shelters then provide adequate trauma and counselling sessions; ensure that they have a warm place to stay and food to sustain them. This was the first time I had a full personal experience with moving a victim from a place of pain to a home of healing."

Read also

Nelson Mandela Day: From the elderly to the homeless, celebrate Madiba by supporting these worthy causes

Sibanyoni is on a mission to empower survivors

The young activist who grew up in Germiston realised the pressing need for a more systematic approach to address the growing issue of gender-based violence. Through her foundation, she aims to combat gender-based violence comprehensively. With a focus on detection, prevention, and correction, the foundation is developing an Educare program that will empower survivors with knowledge, practical skills, and training for economic independence.

"We are currently working on our educare programme that we will be launching in the shelters as part of our GBV correction strategy. After thorough research we realised that GBV numbers are fueled by high-dependency on male counterparts, especially for financial security. This programme, therefore aims to provide these survivors with knowledge, practical skills and training so they have realistic income-generating options that can channel these women to becoming economically indepedent. My personal goal with this is ensuring that GBV victims no longer have to endure continuous trauma as a penalty for poverty."

Read also

24 Year-old woman becomes landlord after living in Korea for 4 months, shares apartments in viral TikTok video

The comfort bag initiative aims to empower women in Mzansi

The accounting student's dedication to combating gender-based violence extends beyond awareness. In 2020, during the COVID_19 lockdown she initiated the Comfort Bag Movement, which provides survivors with essential items and a sense of dignity upon arrival at shelters.

"Many times these survivors would arrive with minimal or no items at all. The bags are meant to offer feelings of support and dignity and further grant economic relief to these gender-based violence shelters and victims."

Khethiwe's remarkable journey and initiatives serve as an inspiration to the youth and the community at large. With her unwavering commitment and passion for change, Sibanyoni is significantly impacting the fight against gender-based violence.

From passion to profession: Camilla Noluthando Mhlambi’s inspiring journey of helping others through makeup

In similar stories, Briefly News reported that Camilla Noluthando Mhlambi has turned her passion for makeup into a fulfilling career.

Read also

South African-Malawian gender activist and award-winning author aims to break negative menstruation stigmas

The young hun is on a mission to share the transformative power makeup has on others.

Through her journey, she discovered how makeup has the incredible ability to empower and uplift individuals.

Starting her own business, CNM Makeup Artistry, she has witnessed first-hand how makeup can impact people's lives.

Source: Briefly News