Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2013 2014

Details for Mechanism ID: 17030
Country/Region: South Africa
Year: 2013
Main Partner: University of the Witwatersrand
Main Partner Program: Wits Health Consortium
Organizational Type: Private Contractor
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $369,517

This activity provides a community-based intervention that combines group-based microfinance with a 12-15 months gender and HIV training curriculum known as Sisters for Life (SFL). The program has a partnership with an established microfinance provider, Small Enterprise Foundation (SEF). The project target both young and older women and focuses on addressing poverty, gender inequality, intimate partner violence and HIV risk through a sustainable process of economic development and social education and mobilization. Through this activity the economic well-being and independence of communities is improved, their vulnerability to both HIV and gender-based violence is reduced, and robust community mobilization to address common concerns is fostered.

There is evidence that there is impact on IMAGE participants on poverty as there is increased household expenditure and assets, and increased membership in savings groups; womens empowerment - 55% reduction in risk of physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner. The activity also contributes on improvement in 9 indicators of womens empowerment including self - confidence, challenging gender norms, autonomy in decision-making, and collective action; and HIV risk among young women participants, greater HIV communication with partners, accessing of VCT services, and greater condom use.

The IMAGE project have valuable lessons to impart to other partners, i.e womens empowerment is more than just money and then Microfinance (without training) did NOT lead to broader social & health benefits. It is of importance to hold group education, tackle cultural beliefs & participate in mobilizing communities to stand up for their right and do the right thing as far as justice for women and children is concerned.

Funding for Sexual Prevention: Other Sexual Prevention (HVOP): $369,517

Intervention with Microfinance for AIDS and Gender Equity (IMAGE) is a PPP partner funded under the Global Development Alliance for a three year period. It is a sub-partner to Wits Health Consortium. IMAGE is implementing in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal. For the Microfinance activities it works with Small Enterprise Foundation(SEF) in NW and GP while in KZN it is going to work with Sinamandla. SEF does not have an office in KZN. IMAGE provides microfinance and gender/HIV training to women. The main objective is to empower women economically to be financially independent and self -suffiicient. To build their resilience against HIV; raise awareness to reduce gender based violence against women and children. In the next two years IMAGE will scale up its activities in the abovementioned three provinces. IMAGE has been identified as a Gender Challenge Fund partner to scale up gender activities with microfinance specifically in KwaZulu Natal.

Subpartners Total: $0
Sinamandla Self Help Group: NA
Small Enterprise Foundation: NA
Cross Cutting Budget Categories and Known Amounts Total: $369,517
Gender: Gender Based Violence (GBV) $100,000
Gender: Gender Equality $269,517
Key Issues Identified in Mechanism
Implement activities to change harmful gender norms & promote positive gender norms
Increase gender equity in HIV prevention, care, treatment and support
Increasing women's access to income and productive resources