MEDIA RELEASE
REFLECTING ON OUR OUTCOMES OF 16 DAYS ON NON-VIOLENCE A CALL FOR SOCIAL EMPATHY
RELEASE DATE: 11 December 2024
11 December 2024 – Johannesburg: During the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Khulisa Social Solutions engaged with over 20,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
The voices we heard — survivors of violence, at-risk youth, struggling families, the unemployed, persons with disabilities, former sex workers, teachers, those battling addiction and mental health challenges, former offenders, and frontline social workers — all shared stories of hardship and resilience. These encounters highlighted a critical truth: understanding diverse experiences is the key to fostering an inclusive, compassionate, and just society.
This effort was made possible through collaboration with over 30 NGO partners. These partnerships ensured that our interventions reached deeply into communities, offering tailored support and facilitating meaningful dialogue. By working together, we amplified our collective impact, addressing violence and exclusion through a network of grassroots organizations dedicated to social change.
WHY DIVERSE EXPERIENCES MATTER
Social empathy means moving beyond sympathy and truly understanding the systemic, cultural, and historical factors that shape people’s realities. Throughout these 16 days, we saw how judgment and misunderstanding deepen societal divides, while empathy builds bridges.
We met survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) trapped in cycles of abuse due to financial dependence, societal pressure, or fear. Instead of asking, “Why don’t they leave?”, we must ask, “What keeps them trapped, and how can we help?”
We spoke with youth caught in cycles of crime and violence who are dismissed as “delinquent” or “troubled.” Their struggles reveal how poverty, violence, and a lack of opportunity lead them down these paths. They need support, not labels.
We encountered families grappling with addiction and mental trauma, often stigmatized and isolated. These families don’t need judgment; they need understanding, resources, and community support. We listened to frontline social workers and community leaders who tirelessly support vulnerable individuals while facing their own emotional challenges. Their work is invaluable, yet often overlooked without a culture of empathy.
OUR COMMITMENT TO NGO COMPLIANCE AND RELEVANCY
At Khulisa Social Solutions, we believe that building a stronger, more cohesive society requires ensuring that NGOs remain relevant, compliant, and capable of delivering impactful services. We are committed to supporting our NGO partners by driving compliance, enhancing their capacity, and fostering sustainability. Through mentorship, training, and resource-sharing, we help NGOs become effective vehicles for social change.
Promoting social cohesion is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to break down societal silos by facilitating dialogue circles, restorative justice programs, and community-driven initiatives that encourage collaboration and mutual understanding. By connecting NGOs, community members, and key stakeholders, we cultivate an environment where inclusion, trust, and collective action thrive.
KEY LESSONS LEARNED
Our engagements over these 16 days taught us that empathy transforms lives and communities. When we replace judgment with understanding, we amplify voices instead of silencing them. When we practice inclusion, we foster safety and trust instead of perpetuating isolation. Systemic change begins not with assumptions but with listening to the realities people face.
Our partnerships with over 20 NGOs were instrumental in implementing interventions such as dialogue circles, awareness campaigns, and support services. These collaborations ensured we reached people in both urban and rural communities, providing platforms for storytelling, healing, and empowerment.
THE NEED FOR YEAR-ROUND COMMITMENT
The 16 Days of Activism provide a crucial platform for awareness, but true change requires ongoing effort. South Africa’s challenges — gender-based violence, youth crime, substance abuse, and inequality — cannot be solved in 16 days. They demand continuous dedication to understanding, supporting, and uplifting those who are marginalized.
At Khulisa Social Solutions, we are committed to promoting social empathy through dialogue circles that create safe spaces for open conversation and mutual understanding, restorative justice programs that address the root causes of harm and seek healing for both victims and offenders, and youth development initiatives that provide at-risk youth with opportunities and support to break free from systemic barriers. These interventions, implemented alongside our NGO partners, reflect the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change.
A CALL TO ACTION
Developing social empathy is a collective responsibility. As we reflect on the diverse voices we heard, we invite everyone to ask: How can I better understand the experiences of others? What systemic challenges influence people’s lives? How can I contribute to building a culture of inclusion and compassion?
By embracing social empathy, we can create a South Africa where everyone feels valued, supported, and included. Together, with dedicated partners and communities, we can break the cycles of judgment, exclusion, and violence — every day, not just for 16 days.
About us
Khulisa Social Solutions, a 27-year old renowned social impact organization that empowers communities through innovative solutions that address systemic social challenges.
For more information, contact
Lesley Ann Van Selm | 082 601 2299 | lesleyann@khulisa.org.za
