Cape Town - A local child rights organisation is giving female youth a platform to express themselves, share their challenges and express their feelings without fear or judgement.
During Women’s Month, Molo Songololo will address the youth from Atlantis, Beaufort West and Delft on issues which compromise their rights, dignity and safety.
The project forms part of Molo Songololo’s Child and Youth Empowerment programme aimed to promote child rights and responsibilities, life skills and leadership education.
As part of the programme, they visited different heritage sites across Cape Town on Saturday, where they learnt about historical landmarks, indigenous people, origins, culture and traditions.
Zizipho Layiti, who is part of the programme, said she learnt a lot about the history in Cape Town.
“We don’t learn about our ancestors in school. I am grateful for the opportunity (Molo Songololo) has given us, as we are not safe in our communities,” she said.
Director of Molo Songololo, Patric Solomons, said the heritage exploration was an opportunity to take the youth out of their communities and get to know Cape Town.
“Cape Town and South Africa is one of the most diverse and segregated places where de-colonised histories and contributions of indigenous and black people remain suppressed and not easily available.
“This heritage exploration is aimed to expose the participants to their historical roots, histories, stories and connections, and foster social dignity, identity and cohesion,” he said.
Some of the topics which will also be discussed during the month of August include: prevention, reporting crimes, combating gender-based abuse, learning and discovering common needs, self-empowerment and positive decision-making.
Liyabona Rhalarhala, who is also part of the programme, said they have gained confidence and self-respect.
“We learn to speak our minds,” she said.
Solomons added that Women’s Month is an opportunity to commemorate the contributions of girls and women in society.
“We should reflect on the ongoing challenges girls and women face and take action to improve their rights, dignity and safety,” he said.