Ward 60 councillor Mark Kleinschmidt, left, and some of the women who were selected for the next round of the Women for Change programme.
Seventeen women from Ward 60 are now part of a programme that provides training to women across the metro.
In 2016, the City’s social development and early childhood development department launched the Women for Change programme, which was previously known as the Women in Rental Stock Project.
The women from across the City were placed in schools, clinics, libraries, preschools and NGOs and were given training on substance abuse, gender-based violence, entrepreneurship, conflict resolution and first aid.
On Tuesday November 22, the Ward 60 Women for Change programme was launched at the Lansdowne civic centre for the third time, according to ward councillor Mark Kleinschmidt.
The 17 women who have been signed up - random candidates aged 18 to 25 - will undergo six months of training while helping at schools, clinics, old-age homes and elsewhere in the community. They will get paid R120 a day.
Lizelle Muller said that she was excited to be part of the programme as it campaigned against gender-based violence while promoting human rights, and gender equality.
“I thoroughly enjoy working with Women for Change and embrace their caring, give-back ethos of helping and empowering women, the elderly and children. This is my second time working for Women for Change, and I am elated to be of service to our community,” she said.
Beulah Bouah said the programme made her aware of people’s daily challenges and improved her self-esteem. It helped her to help others.
“The best part is that we can receive proper certification that would improve our CVs for future jobs,” she said.