Gender Links (GL) tackles gender-based violence (GBV) through groundbreaking research, policy-to-action, and economic power to end violence approaches. Between 2010-2015, GL pioneered the first VAW Indicators studies across seven southern African countries (Mauritius, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Seychelles, South Africa’s four provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape), Zimbabwe and Zambia. The annual #VoiceandChoice Barometer measures 100 indicators, including VAW, tracking policy gaps and progress in SADC countries. Through the Sunrise Campaign, GL has demonstrated that empowering survivors to start businesses and achieve financial independence reduces GBV. Gender Links has collaborated with 432 local councils to integrate GBV prevention measures into community plans. GL championed moving beyond Sixteen Days of Activism campaigns  to 365-Day GBV Action Plans  that offer long term solutions.  Watch a video on “What is gender based violence?”

Key facts

Lesotho conducting a follow up to the VAW baseline study conducted in 7 SADC countries Over 2000 women have participated in theSunrise Campaign 432 Centres of Excellence for gender in local government have adopted action plans to end GBV

 

 

Programmes


Research
Sunrise Campaign
Policy and action plans
Advocacy and campaigns

“I” Stories


Botswana: Bitterness is gone
Mozambique: Journey of a gender and AIDS activist
Zambia: I struggled to find happiness in my life

Zimbabwe: Rescued by entrepreneurial skills
Read more “I stories”

Stories of Change

Tanzania: Salama Foundation’s transformative campaign
South Africa: Integrated approach delivers results

Mauritius: The Safe Haven Halfway Home project

Testimonials

“Informed by this research, now is the time to strengthen all efforts to address GBV. I would like to commend Gender Links and partners for their great work. Now that the baseline has been established, it is the moment to reinforce not only the National Action Plan to end GBV, but local action plans as well.” – Honourable Minister Maseribane, Former Minister of Gender and Youth, Sport and Recreation. “There is a lot that has changed in my life and my business, but I am grateful because I am growing. Business can be slow sometimes, but I will never give up; this is my breakthrough. I am very grateful to Gender Links for the little help they provided, which has changed my life. I promise not to disappoint them, especially myself,”  Nkhensani Priscilla Ngobeni from Greater Tzaneen Municipality “Thanks to the unwavering support of the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership South Africa Fund, in partnership with Gender Links and Global Affairs Canada, our survivor-led organisation has launched a groundbreaking, community-based paralegal training programme. This isn’t just a training, it’s a movement. A revolution. A rising.” – Zintle Khobeni de Lange is a Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO) Fellow