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The recent #MeToo campaign created a huge world-wide movement and has ignited global action against the sexual harassment and assault of women.
Enough is enough. I will soon be launching a programme called Turning Point in which different communities, associations and religious organisations will be involved.
This platform will provide women with an opportunity to address past trauma through a therapeutic and skills-based experiential model, promote emotional growth and reparation in an emotionally supportive environment, provide learning opportunities through a non-judgmental and experiential process, empower women to become self-reliant in order to make informed decisions about their choices, evaluate their choices, and take responsibility for their choices.
I started the programme after having come across several women in my life who had gone through traumatic experiences and went into a downward spiral of depression. I personally was a victim of depression.
However, I was fortunate enough to have had a sophisticated understanding of mental illness and also the resources to pull myself back on track.
I have also realised that there are 100s of women out there that have experienced trauma and have had no recourse or resource to put them on a road to recovery.
The aim of this programme is to improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills, improve problem-solving skills, increase assertiveness, improve self-esteem by helping women to feel good about themselves, develop their self-worth and increase their level of self-confidence.
It will strengthen and develop their ability to trust in themselves and others, develop a healthier understanding of interpersonal relationships, increase self-awareness and personal insights and empower them financially by equipping them with the necessary skills.
I am personally passionate about women empowerment and more importantly the economic empowerment of women.
I believe that a woman that is economically empowered does not have to subject herself to victim mentality.
I have therefore included a strong entrepreneurial element to my programme and capacitating women with basic skills to be able to generate an income with what they have in their hands and within the confines of their limited resources.
Turning Point has the potential to bring out those attributes and characteristics that are innate, but women choose to hide and therefore prevents them from materialising certain benefits.
It encourages women to get out of their comfort zones and venture into new territory and project themselves confidently on various platforms.
I have also partnered with the department of social development to roll out the programme to their shelters for abused women.
I have also partnered with the Epic Foundation who provides support to rape victims.
My goal is to reach across to as many women as possible across South Africa and the continent if possible.
This programme is to be launched during women’s month on August 26 at the Gospel Outreach Assembly in Chatsworth, Durban.
However, anyone who is interested can contact the organisation directly to speak to a facilitator.
Should you wish to attend, call James on 031 404 0753.
• Dr Anneline Chetty is chief operations officer of the national department of trade and industry and current Mrs Commonwealth South Africa
