Phola Receives Prestigious Award
On 8 March 2021 Phola was among organizations honoured in a glamorous function organized by Gender-Links. The event was for organizations partnering with Gender-Links in its outreach programmes.
In her keynote address a senior gender expert spoke about the Mexico Generation Equality Forum. The 2021 Generation Equality Forum was a major global inflection point for gender equality. The Forum took place at a critical moment. COVID-19 has exacerbated existing gender inequities, with reports of rising violence against women.
At the awards ceremony Phola was the overall winner in The Youth Empowerment Category with the following citation: ‘In Recognition of Your Outstanding Contribution in Promotion of Gender Equality.’
The event was not only for Johannesburg based organizations, but it included the entire country from Durban and Cape Town. Those who could not attend, joined virtually.
The participating organizations are registered with the Department of Social Development and mandated to provide specific services to needy communities in South Africa. Phola in collaboration with Gender-Links promotes the empowerment of women advocating and fighting the scourge of gender-based violence. The partnership is on issues of similar synergies namely gender issues, children’s rights, Gender-Based Violence and women rights and psychosocial support services. Phola works in the following communities; Diepsloot, Zandspruit, Cosmo City and surrounding areas.
The financial injection from Gender-Links helps Phola to facilitate COURRAGE sessions for women in different communities within and outside Johannesburg. Ncazelo Mlilo, a renowned psychologist developed The COURRAGE Methodology. She is a trainer with a global footprint. She is also the Founder and Director of Phola a psychosocial organisation based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
COURRAGE is a collective narrative therapy methodology developed to privilege the second or alternative stories of people have faced hardships and trauma. It seeks to honour the strengths and skills people show and use in the face of pain, discrimination, and abuse.
It is a psychosocial support programme aimed at providing a culturally sensitive space for individuals to feel comfortable expressing their entire identity in an atmosphere of acceptance.
Sikhonzile Malinga received the award on behalf of Phola.