AWACN Strengthens Community Voices in Rustenburg to Tackle Gendered Corruption 

The event was held in partnership with the Alliance for Rural Democracy and Ambassadors4Change, bringing together young girls, women, and community members to confront the realities of gendered corruption within mining communities.

Photo by Zuko Motloung – AWACN

During her opening remarks, the AWACN Founding Director, Ms. Zakhona Mvelase, emphasised the importance of inclusion and community participation, stating: “We cannot leave the communities behind.” Her words captured the essence of the initiative, empowering young women and girls to recognise their voices and use them to challenge sexual and gendered forms of corruption.

 Messages of support were also shared by partners and advocates committed to advancing gender justice and accountability. Representing the Legal Resources Centre, Mr Nersan Govender extended a message of solidarity, commending AWACN for its unwavering efforts to expose and challenge corruption in all its forms, particularly where it intersects with gender and power. He highlighted that initiatives like Elevating Girls’ Voices Against Gender Corruption are not just conversations, but powerful acts of resistance against silence and impunity.

Mr Govender praised AWACN’s leadership and reaffirmed the Legal Resources Centre’s commitment to standing alongside the network in building a society rooted in integrity, equality, and justice for all. It highlighted that in many mining communities, sexual corruption has become disturbingly normalised, often seen as an unspoken condition for access to opportunities or resources.

The initiative stressed that this harmful norm must be confronted and transformed, reminding young women that exploitation should never be accepted as a way of life. Through collective awareness and action, communities can begin to redefine power relations and foster environments where discussions,Ambassadors4Change representative Onalenna Lekhalanyane emphasised the importance of unity and sisterhood among women, noting that social norms often pit women against one another instead of encouraging support and collaboration.

She urged young women to build a culture of solidarity, one where they uplift, protect, and stand by each other in the fight against gendered corruption and inequality.

From the Alliance for Rural Democracy, Ms. Mpho Lebelo shared a thought-provoking reflection on the role of families in shaping girls’ understanding of rights and exploitation. She cautioned that when young girls are taught to expect something in return for their actions, they grow up believing that exploitation is normal. She urged parents and guardians to guide their daughters in recognising their rights and understanding the difference between empowerment and abuse, reminding the community that change begins at home.

A key feature of the event was the story circles, which are designed to create safe, open spaces for girls and women to share their everyday experiences and reflect on the challenges they face. Each circle tackled a unique theme that encouraged dialogue and self-expression. The story circles featured:

• Speaking Truth to Everyday Gendered Corruption
• Navigating Gendered Forms of Corruption
• Imagining Community Accountability
• What Gendered Corruption Means to Young Women Today

Through these discussions, participants reflected on how collective awareness and unity can break cycles of silence and shame surrounding corruption.

In her closing remarks, Ms. Mvelase called for collective action and solidarity, noting that “The system cannot be fixed by those who benefit from it, but we can stand together as women to fight against gendered forms of corruption.”

The Rustenburg engagement reaffirmed AWACN’s commitment to promoting community accountability, women’s empowerment, and ethical leadership, ensuring that no girl or woman is left behind in the fight for dignity and justice.