Cape Town: The Community, Arts and Culture Development Department of the City of Cape Town within the Community Services and Health Directorate, has empowered over 196 women this financial year through its annual Women with Purpose Programme.
The programme was previously known as “Women for Change”. Through this, women from low-income households are empowered with knowledge, skills, confidence and networks that is needed to become leaders, role models and active agents of positive change in their families and communities.
It is important to note that the programme forms part of the City’s broader whole-of-society approach to address the root cause of crime, gangsterism and gender-based violence (GBV). By investing in women as community leaders, the City of Cape Town is strengthening social cohesion, promoting positive role models and building resilience at a household and community level.
Through a combination of training and work exposure, participants are supported in their personal development while they also contribute meaningfully within their communities. The programme aims to create pathways for themselves to access ongoing support, networks and opportunities for growth, that is ultimately enabling long-term social and economic impact.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham stated that this programme is about building stronger communities from within. When women are supported, they step into leadership roles, support their families and helps in creating safer neighbourhoods. She encourages more women to apply and be part of this opportunity.
As part of the programme’s work strategy, the women are placed at various sites for the duration of their contracts, which range from three to six months, while completing their training.
Placements during this financial year includes the Identikidz Programme during the 2025-2026 festive season, various Recreation and Parks facilities, libraries, clinics, Early Childhood Development Centres, NGOs and other City of Cape Town offices.
The women were taken through a range of included training courses, such as:
- Leadership
- First aid
- Financial management
- Digital literacy
- Peace building and conflict resolution
- Customer protection rights
- Trauma healing and psycho-social training
- Community dialogue
- Gender and GBV awareness
- Parenting workshop
- Job readiness
- Personal development plan
The combination of skills equips participants for employment opportunities, and also to play an active role in strengthening community networks, supporting vulnerable individuals and promoting safer environments.
Since 2017, over 6000 women have participated in the programme, which has created thousands of work opportunities for them across the city. The women came from across the city and were chosen from the sub-council jobseekers database.