Thembeka Sibisi is the founder of the organisation. She was born in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape and is the mother of two.

Although the organisation has been running for some time, it was only launched officially on August 30 last year.

”I started my career at the Institute for Race Relations, and then joined Human Rights. From there I was assigned to Child and Family welfare as a community centre manager. There I encountered the real challenges confronting women and was distraught to observe all sorts of abuse, including sexual abuse, the rise of teenage pregnancy and people abdicating their parenting responsibility. That’€™s why Challenge for Women was born – to empower and educate women on their human and legal rights through workshops and counselling,’€ Sibisi said.

The 26-year-old Dr Zethu Nkomo who works with Challenge for Women is also very passionate about human, and especially women’€™s rights.   ‘€œMy father worked as a clerk in the clinic where I now serve as a doctor, for me education is the tool towards women empowerment and I intend to contribute with all that I have towards improving the lives of women,” Nkomo said.

Nokuthula Mbhele is one of the many women who have been helped by Challenge for Women. “The organisation has helped me become the independent, goal-driven woman I am today. I have come a long way,” said Mbhele.

Two students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal who were helped by the organisation, Ndumiso Gwala and Oscarina Hadebe, now also come in twice a week to help out at the organisation.

It’€™s a promising initiative and with funding it has the potential to grow even further. ‘€œWith the alarming increasing in woman abuse in this country women need to be empowered and know their rights,’€ said Mbhele.

Contact Thembeka on 072  610 2060 or email thembis@challengeforwomen.co.za for more information on the organisation. ‘€“ OurHealth/Health-e News

Thandiwe Mazanqinqi-Zamisa is an OurHealth Citizen Journalist reporting from the Mgungundlovu health district in KwaZulu-Natal.