Women’s Trust: a force for change

TJ: What is the Women’s Trust and when was it formed?

MK: The Women’s Trust was formed in 2000 as a non-profit organisation working for the empowerment of women in tertiary institutions and rural communities to enable them to participate in the national development process. This is done through leadership development and personal empowerment training.

We realised that while there was already a dynamic and vibrant women’s movement, there was a gap in relation to enhancing the capacities of women in decision-making.

TJ: What is the mandate of your organisation?

MK: Developing a critical mass of young and mature women who can articulate the issues and effect change in their institutions and communities.

We seek to provide guidance on how to develop and implement existing gender sensitive practices by conducting training that addresses beneficiary needs in terms of institutional capacity building for gender mainstreaming.

The Women’s Trust also provides gender training that includes follow through monitoring and engages in consultancy services.

TJ: What are your objectives?

MK: We are striving to enhance the status of women by informing and influencing the policy, environment and process on matters of women’s issues, gender and participatory development.

We equip young women and women in decision-making with the skills for their own self-empowerment and that of their communities.

We also document the experiences of The Women’s Trust Alumni.

TJ: Why do you think it is important for women to occupy positions of leadership?

MK: Changes taking place globally call for a new way of planning and developing priorities. In this regard changing the processes of managing this development is crucial.

In order for effective and positive development to take place, it is important for women to access positions of decision making, while on the other hand ensuring that the capacities of those already in power are enhanced.

TJ: What do think should be done to economically empower women?

MK. In one of the 15 districts that The Women’s Trust is actively involved, we have realised there is need to economically empower women with the resources that are readily available.

Yes, the need to inject capital is vital, however, the needs of individuals and the geographical locations differ.

There is also need for the government to be deliberate about availing land, minerals and natural resources that women can use for economic empowerment. However, we need to get to a point where the borrowing requirements for women are made less stringent.

TJ: What are some of your achievements?

MK: The Young Women’s Leadership Development Programme and the Community Leadership Development Programme. “The Women can Do It” Campaign that was advocated for in 2008 amplified the voice of The Women’s Trust.

TJ: Have you noted any changes in organisational structures as a result of female participation?

MK: Yes and no. Nationally there have been efforts; the introduction of 60 seats for women in the House of Assembly is a thumbs up. However, we would like to see more women on boards and occupying executive positions. The organizational structures are still male top heavy.

TJ: What needs to be done to create a conducive working environment for women?

MK: Organisations need to have Gender Policies, which are explicit about recruitment. The policies would further identify areas that would improve the effectiveness of women in the work environment.

TJ: What programmes are you currently engaged in?

MK: We are embarking on a “Woman Can Do It Campaign” focusing on the “Woman Get Counted” campaign which is advocating for women to register to vote and also encourage voting for other women candidates.