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Name Felicia Surname Motinga Country Namibia Give a short history of the leader Attending more in Gender links programs workshops, Mini, National and Regional summits and compete with different .Where […]

Maria Mboene is a woman who suffered verbal violence from her husband because she grew up believing that once a woman is married she has to respect and stay with the husband no matter what happens in the house. She did know about her rights, she could not do anything but stay at home suffering in silence.

In 1983 her husband left her with six children to take care of. From that moment Maria had to choose between getting another man to sustain her and her kids and finding a way to survive by herself. Because she did not want to go through all the things she had been through with her former husband, she chose to start a business

“I would like to thank Gender Links for the work that has been done in empowering women with business skills, not only in Mandlakazi, but also in other councils. Although I recognise what GL has done and is still doing, I encourage GL to extend the programme for more councils because, based on my experience, there are many women out there who need to be trained in order to grow socially and economically. GL should continue training, monitoring and evaluating as it is doing now to see and listen to the changes happening in women’s lives”.

Mildret Mango was referred to Gender Links (GL) by her ward councillor in 2014 and she immediately joined the entrepreneurship programme. She managed to attend two phases of the training but failed to attend the last phase of the training. Her phone was not reachable prior to the workshop and the organisers failed to get hold of her. She found the lesson on the importance of market research and business planning very useful and she immediately put it into practice in her business.

Reginah’s most memorable experience with Gender Links was her presentation in 2013. She presented the project under the category climate change and sustainable development. Winning at national and regional level was a dream come true. “It was not about winning the presentation but about the changes that you have made being appreciated. Seeing yourself driving a project which is recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding project gives the driver the qualification of number one driver of change.À

I first met Gender Links at a workshop some time in 2006 or 2007 and since then my perspective has changed drastically, even though in my own way I have been fighting the disparity between boys and girls since early childhood.

Anique Darga’s first encounter with Gender Links (GL) was during the entrepreneurship training held in 2014. She participated in the training at Grand Port District Council and completed the three phases. The entrepreneurship training helped Darga to emerge from the difficult situation in which she had been living and boost herself, surrounded by new friends while learning how to be financially independent.

One of my most memorable experiences with Gender Links (GL) is when I first went to take the testimonials of victims of gender based violence. I never thought that I would get to hear those testimonials.