Whole World Women's Association (WWWA)
Located in South Africa - Founded in 2002 - IDEX partner since 2010
WWWA members at a skills building workshop.
Founded in 2002 in Cape Town, South Africa by African refugee women, (WWWA) works to empower refugee women and children by organizing leadership and societal integration training, promoting HIV/AIDS awareness, providing legal assistance, and protecting refugee rights.
Thousands of women have fled their home countries for South Africa to escape persecution, war, political conflict, and gender and/or cultural forms of violence such as genital mutilation or forced marriage.
"There will come a day when liberty shall be sung on hill tops, and there shall be freedom for all humankind." Mary Tal, Founder of WWWA.
In their adopted country the refugees face additional challenges including homelessness, poverty, and trauma, and are also vulnerable to acts of violence and xenophobia. They often lack access to basic necessities such as food, water, healthcare, jobs and education.
WWWA's goal is to empower refugee women to make positive contributions among themselves and their host communities by fostering hope, social justice and improved self-esteem. By building solidarity between refugee and local women, WWWA also works to minimize xenophobia. In addition, WWWA educates South Africans about refugees, raising awareness of their plight and further promoting tolerance and understanding.
Learn more about what WWWA does, click here and read more about them on our blog!
Blog
Girls Amplify Their Voices Through Technology
Friday, January 13, 2012
Katherine Zavala – IDEX’s Program Manager, Grassroots Alliances – reports back on a recent trip to South Africa where she visited IDEX Catalyst Grantee Women’s Net.