Masimanyane Women's Support Centre

Masimanyane Women's Rights International was not built from a policy paper or a government mandate. It began in 1996 when Dr Lesley Foster — who had spent seven years working with street children and came to understand that the driving force behind their homelessness was often violence and instability in the home — established a crisis and support centre in East London specifically for women experiencing domestic and sexual violence. The Eastern Cape was then, as now, one of the provinces with the highest rates of reported rape and domestic violence in the country. Masimanyane was the community's answer.

Over three decades, it has evolved from a local support centre into an internationally recognised women's rights organisation — without losing its feet on the ground. It is DSD-funded with approximately 42 staff, and its work is simultaneously deeply local (a 10-bed shelter in Southernwood, home visits, walk-in counselling) and explicitly global (CEDAW shadow report expertise, the UN Special Rapporteur visit, partnerships with 55 countries).

What They Offer Survivors — Direct Services

10-Bed Shelter — Women and Children Fleeing Domestic Violence Masimanyane operates a 10-bed shelter in East London providing safe temporary accommodation for women and their children who have experienced or are at risk of domestic violence. The shelter provides basic needs — accommodation, meals, and essentials — alongside structured support: - Counselling and psycho-social support - Life skills programmes - Safety planning and exit planning

24-Hour Counselling Crisis counselling is available around the clock — a critical provision in a province with high rates of violence and significant geographical barriers to accessing support.

Medical Services Medical support is provided to shelter residents and clients — addressing the health consequences of physical and sexual violence, including forensic documentation support where required.

Legal Services Legal assistance is available to survivors navigating the justice system — including support with protection orders, criminal case processes, and engagement with the courts.

Community Outreach and Education Masimanyane's community teams engage with individuals and communities across the Eastern Cape, building awareness of rights, changing attitudes, and reaching survivors who would not present at a formal service.

What They Do at National and International Level

Justice Advocacy Programme Masimanyane's Justice Advocacy Programme works to ensure that community-level realities are accurately reflected in law and policy — through research, documentation, advocacy, women's leadership development, and training for improved state accountability. This includes monitoring the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF and holding government accountable for commitments made.

CEDAW Expertise Masimanyane was the first South African NGO to write a shadow report for the UN CEDAW Committee, and has since trained women's groups across the world in shadow report writing. This is rare expertise — connecting grassroots survivor experiences directly to international human rights accountability mechanisms.

Amanitare — Pan-African Secretariat Masimanyane holds the secretariat for Amanitare, a pan-African Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights network with 57 partners in 21 African countries — placing East London at the centre of a continent-wide advocacy network.

International Partnerships — 55 Countries Masimanyane has active partners in 55 countries, including involvement in regional campaigns that increase GBV awareness, capacitate civil society, support young women advocates, and hold governments accountable for improved service provision.

UN Special Rapporteur Visit Masimanyane hosted the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women during a visit to South Africa — a reflection of the organisation's standing in the international human rights community and its ability to connect local conditions to global standards.

Masimanyane Women's Rights International: 26 St Marks Road, Southernwood, East London. Phone: 043 743 9169. Website: masimanyane.org.za. Facebook: masimanyane. 24-hour counselling available.