Our Impact in the Community
Empowering Youth and Women through Digital Skills
Youth Zone has equipped youth and women with basic computer and digital literacy skills, improving employability and entrepreneurship opportunities. Many
beneficiaries have since secured meaningful employment or started small enterprises, contributing to local economic growth.
Preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Youth Zone employs five part-time GBV monitors who conduct door-to-door awareness visits and community engagements. Each August, our Women’s Month
Campaign brings together residents, artists, and small businesses to promote GBV and femicide prevention, while also creating economic opportunities through local
product sales and performances.
Promoting Human Rights Education
Through our Human Rights Schools Club, led by a stipend-supported mentor, Youth Zone works with learners from Risenga Primary and Famandha High School to buildawareness of human rights and GBV prevention. The programme nurtures socially conscious, responsible young leaders who advocate for equality and respect.
Creating Jobs through Food Gardens and Environmental Preservation
Youth Zone manages food gardens at four schools—Risenga, Fuyatha, Siyandhani Primary, and Famandha High—creating 34 local jobs through the IDT programme. These gardens supply fresh vegetables to school feeding schemes, improve food security, and support environmental cleanliness by maintaining public spaces, including gravesites and communal areas.
Household Door-to-Door Survey Initiative
To strengthen grassroots engagement and promote access to human rights education, Youth Zone conducted a door-to-door household survey acrossSiyandhani and neighboring villages. The initiative aimed to gather data on
community awareness of human rights, GBV services, and local supportmechanisms, while building direct trust between youth volunteers and communitymembers.
– Approach: Door-to-door survey conducted by trained youth volunteers.
– Duration: 3 weeks across 7 villages in Greater Giyani.
– Sample Size: 500+ households engaged.
– Tools Used: Structured questionnaire forms, mobile data collection, and referral cards for local support centres.
– Focus Areas:
• Knowledge of basic human rights and constitutional rights.
• Access to GBV response and prevention services.
• Barriers to reporting abuse or rights violations.
• Community perceptions on youth participation and leadership.
Outcomes and Impact
– Increased Awareness: Over 65% of households reported improved understanding of available rights and local services.
– Enhanced Referrals: 40+ GBV survivors were referred to appropriate social services and SAPS for follow-up.
– Youth Empowerment: 20 youth volunteers gained field data collection, communication, and advocacy skills.
– Evidence Base: Findings informed the development of YZSED’s community rights dialogue sessions and FHR monitoring reports.
Lessons Learned
– Face-to-face surveys enhance trust and accurate feedback compared to group meetings.
– Rural households respond better when engaged by local youth volunteers who speak their language.
– Continuous feedback sessions help translate data into community action plans.
Community Focus Group Diciussion
As part of its community engagement efforts, YZSED facilitated a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to deepen understanding of social issues affecting youth
and women in rural Giyani. The FGDs provided a safe space for participants to share lived experiences, challenges, and solutions around human rights, gender-based
violence (GBV), and access to justice.
Implementation
 Participants: 10–15 participants per session, including youth, women,
traditional leaders, and community-based organisations.
ï‚· Sessions Held: 8 focus group discussions across 4 villages.
ï‚· Methodology: Participatory dialogue facilitated by trained youth leaders using
open-ended questions and case studies.
ï‚· Themes Covered:
o GBV and cultural barriers to reporting
o Access to justice and community policing forums
o Youth leadership in human rights promotion
o Role of traditional structures in protecting rights
Outcomes and Impact
ï‚· Empowerment Through Dialogue: Participants demonstrated increased confidence to speak openly about GBV and human rights issues.
ï‚· Community Collaboration: Strengthened partnerships with traditional authorities and SAPS for local GBV response.
ï‚· Behavioural Shifts: Local leaders committed to integrating human rightseducation into community meetings.
ï‚· Youth Leadership: 12 youth facilitators developed communication, facilitation,and advocacy skills.Lessons Learned
ï‚· Inclusive participation promotes trust and shared ownership of solutions.
ï‚· Facilitated group dialogue builds stronger networks for collective advocacy.
ï‚· Continuous engagement ensures sustained awareness and accountability at community level.