NISAA Institute for Women's Development - Protea South (Soweto)

About NISAA Institute for Women's Development

NISAA Institute for Women's Development (NPO 004-410, Section 21 Company 2001/015558/08) is a Johannesburg-based NGO founded in 1997 and strongly opposed to all forms of oppression, exploitation, and violence against women. NISAA focuses specifically on gender-based violence prevention and the empowerment of women who have been abused by their partners. The organisation operates three locations: a main office in Lenasia, a Soweto satellite office in Mofolo South, and an Orange Farm presence at the TPA Offices.

The name "Nisaa" (نساء) is the Arabic word for "women."

The Soweto Office

The Soweto office is located at the Nicro Community Centre, 752 Roodepoort Road (Cnr Chris Hani Road), Mofolo South, and serves women and children from Mofolo and surrounding Soweto communities. It operates as a satellite of the Lenasia main office and shares the same service model — counselling, legal referrals, shelter coordination, and life skills support. Contact is via the main line: 011 854-1007.

Counselling Services

NISAA offers free face-to-face, telephonic, and email counselling to women and their children. Their counselling approach addresses the immediate crisis and the longer-term healing journey, with support covering: - Legal aid referrals for custody, divorce, and family law matters - Protection order applications — counsellors guide clients through the process and prepare them for court - Home Affairs applications for identity documents and birth certificates - SASSA grant applications and advocacy with the Department of Housing for emergency accommodation

Crisis Shelter (Lenasia)

NISAA's crisis shelter accommodates up to 22 women and their children for periods of 4–6 weeks, providing a safe, supportive environment for women who have left abusive home situations. The shelter accommodates women with girls of all ages and boys not over 12 years old. While in the shelter, residents receive: - Individual and group counselling - HIV/AIDS, sexual reproductive health, and domestic violence information sessions - Life skills programmes: parenting, self-esteem, crisis intervention, healthy cooking, decision-making - Support groups - Skills development: sewing, card making, and bead-making - Children's support: counselling, play therapy, educational activities, and school curriculum support - Legal advice referrals and help with official documentation

Training Programmes

NISAA offers counselling training at minimal cost, including Basic Counselling (12 sessions over 12 weeks), Advanced Counselling (13 sessions), Peer Counselling for youth, a Self-Esteem Course for women survivors, Train the Trainer (5 days), Advocacy and Lobbying Training, and an Interface between GBV and HIV/AIDS course. All counselling courses culminate in a voluntary 30-hour practicum.