Abalingani Gender Programme

The Abalingani Gender Programme addresses the issues of poverty, HIV and violence from both a man and woman's perspective, empowering South African men and women to overcome their challenges and become powerful participants in their communities.

The United Nations Human Development report (2006) shows that 75 % of the poorest people in the world were women and that they are most seriously affected by the HIV epidemic in South Africa.

Young women in South Africa face greater risks of becoming infected than men and among 15 – 24 year old people, women account for about 90% of new HIV infections. In 2005 the HIV incidence among 20 – 29-year-old women was approximately 5.6%, more than six times higher than for men of the same ages (0.9%).

Equality is a core value in the South African constitution and men's perceptions of women play an important part in the role and well being of women in society. The OLIVE LEAF Foundation's Abalingani Gender programme is committed to educating men and women across the country on gender issues and developing the roles which men play in society:

 

In 2007 the Abalingani Gender programme reached:

* 13 772 people through in-depth workshops and

* 29 820 through individual education sessions.

72% percent of these were male

The main interventions within the programme are:

* Gender Activism Projects

* Ubuntu Bamadoda

* Play it Safe