August 8 2024 12:49 CAT
SOUTH AFRICA
Vukile Property Fund (JSE: VKE) will collaborate with Action Breaks Silence to celebrate Women’s Month with a series of empowerment sessions across Vukile’s retail centres. Starting on Friday, August 2 and continuing for two weeks, this initiative seeks to empower over 900 women throughout South Africa, offering a transformative journey of self-discovery.
Vukile owns retail centres in SA and also in Spain but through its majority-held Castellana Properties.
Action Breaks Silence
Action Breaks Silence is an educational charity dedicated to creating a world free from violence against women and girls. Founded by CEO Debi Steven in 2016, the programmes and workshops are designed to engage, educate and empower communities to end male violence as well as to protect and amplify the voices of women and girls who feel unsupported.
“I believe every woman has the right to live her life free from fear of sexual and gender-based violence,” said Steven.
“I was compelled to address the growing violence against women, so I founded Action Breaks Silence to offer training to women and girls at risk of sexual or gender-based violence in India and South Africa,” said Steven.
Vukile Property Fund has said it is dedicated to creating vibrant and engaging shopping experiences, by understanding the needs of their communities and driving community initiatives that meet and exceed these needs. Vukike’s director of Marketing and Communications, Marijke Coetzee, oversees Vukile’s corporate brand strategy, retail shopping centre marketing, stakeholder communications, public relations, and social investment strategy.
“This Women’s Month, Vukile is proud to partner with Action Breaks Silence, which does amazing work to educate, engage, and empower communities to end violence against women and girls,” said Coetzee.
“Their impact is phenomenal, addressing core issues such as gender inequity, sexism and misogyny, and to promote healthy masculinity,” she said.
Empowering employees and communities
Action Breaks Silence has been a part of Vukile’s internal transformation programme, and more specifically woman empowerment, through their recent workshop that emphasised personal growth, empowerment, and resilience, alongside practical self-defence demonstrations. This partnership now extends to the wider community in Vukile’s retail centres, inviting women to a number of free events celebrating women’s achievements and resilience through physical self-defence training, fostering community, and connection.
“Playing our part in the transformation of the commercial property sector is high on Vukile’s agenda,” said Coetzee. “Vukile has a 60% female non-executive director representation on the board, and we are committed to initiatives like the Vukile Academy and Retail Academy to drive this change. Empowering women is a crucial part of transforming the property industry. Bringing the firsthand experience of engaging with Action Breaks Silence to Vukile’s shopping centres also allows us to make a meaningful impact to the woman and girls in the communities where we operate.”
Event details
Highlights of the events include engaging sessions led by inspirational individuals aimed at empowering and celebrating attendees, fun and interactive events that build community and connection, and self-defence training provided by professionals.
The following retail centres are part of the empowerment journey:
· Dobsonville Mall: Kopanong Hall: 3 August, 09:00 – 12:30
· Randburg Square: Gym Company Randburg Square: 3 August, 13:30 – 17:00
· KwaMashu Centre: KwaMashu Indoor Sports Centre: 6 August, 09:00 – 12:30
· Phoenix Youth Centre at Phoenix Plaza: 6 August, 14:00 – 17:00
· Hammarsdale Junction: Magaba Community Hall: 7 August, 10:30 am
· Gugulethu Square Mall – Fezeka Secondary School: 9 August, 10:00 – 13:30
· Atlantis City Mall: 10 August, 10:00 – 13:30
“Action Breaks Silence’s approach helps women of all ages embark on a deeper journey of self-discovery, fostering both physical and mental strength. Many women are taking advantage of this exceptional opportunity to nurture strength and solidarity, embracing their inner strength and flourishing with Vukile and Action Breaks Silence this Women’s Month,” says Coetzee.
247@propertyflash.co.za
