Wonderful Women

Feminism. It’s a word that in many circles of people I know would be uttered with slight disdain. In the context of our Western histories, it conjures images of burning bras and man-haters. Its associated movements have opened up doors that women now tend to take for granted, which is possibly why many people now think that it’s best to stop beating an already well-beaten path and just get on with life.

Yet aside from our developed, Western cultures, feminism takes on new meaning. In this world, 1.4 billion people live in abject poverty. This figure is an estimate of all of these people living on less than US$1 a day (and if you consider all those living on less than US$2 a day, the number is increased significantly).

The majority of these are women.

Women suffer the greatest inequalities in the world in terms of rights and access to resources. The real-life impact of this fact means that the poorest of the poor, those most vulnerable to disease, trauma and exploitation, are women.

In South Africa this is no different.

Refilwe is not a ‘women-oriented’ organisation, but it is very aware of the importance of reaching and empowering the women in its local communities. Many women have been impacted by Refilwe’s skills training program, daycare facilities and health services.

Over our time here at Refilwe, I have been able to spend a lot of time with many of the women who work at Refilwe. Amanda and I intentionally went about organising regular social activities with the Mamas who live here- going to movies, out to dinner, trying ice-skating and enjoying late night conversations by the fire.

Over these times we have learned much about who these women are and where they have come from. Their stories make you laugh, cry and sometimes sit in wonder that they have made it so far. Recently I recounted to them the story of one of my good friends’ strength in fighting off an intruder into her apartment armed with only a piece of wood- in the conversation that followed, each of the Mamas there recalled similar experiences in their own lives. The memories came with laughter, but for these women, vulnerability to violence and abuse was just part of their child and young adulthoods.

Violence and abuse is still rampant in South African communities. Sexual promiscuity is the norm among poor African communities, with the dangers of contracting diseases or falling pregnant at a young age reality for many women. In places like this, Feminism has little to do with political movements; it means finding ways to help women become empowered, confident and unafraid of the world around them. Refilwe offers alternatives to many women by providing education, skills training, employment and, for some, a home that allows them to live  (and grow up) free of poverty and fear.