Sonke Gender Justice Cape Town

Sonke Gender Justice is a South African non-profit organisation founded in 2006 that works throughout Africa to advance gender equality, prevent gender-based violence, and reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS. Based in Cape Town, they operate across all nine South African provinces and in nearly twenty countries across the continent. They are internationally recognised — including by the United Nations — for their innovative, evidence-based approach to challenging the harmful gender norms and power structures that fuel GBV.

Important note for survivors: Sonke does not offer individual counselling or direct crisis services. If you need personal support right now, please use the other organisations listed here. Sonke's work is systemic — they change the systems, norms, and policies that allow GBV to happen. Their work is most relevant to you in understanding why GBV happens, knowing that people are fighting to change it, and accessing community-level education and mobilisation.

What They Do That Matters for Survivors

Changing the Culture Around GBV Sonke's flagship programme, One Man Can, engages men and boys directly — challenging toxic masculinity, teaching men to be non-violent, equitable partners and fathers, and mobilising communities to reject violence as normal. This is the kind of upstream work that makes communities safer for everyone.

Community Action Teams (CATs) Sonke has established over 50 active Community Action Teams across South Africa — groups of trained community members working at a grassroots level to advance gender justice, hold government accountable, and support survivors in their own communities. CATs operate in areas including Gugulethu, Diepsloot, inner-city Johannesburg, refugee communities in Cape Town, and rural Eastern Cape.

Policy and Legal Advocacy Sonke advocates for stronger laws and better implementation of existing protections for GBV survivors — including pushing for proper enforcement of protection orders, improved policing practices, and prison and justice system reforms. Their research and evidence directly informs national and regional policy.

Safe Ride: Preventing GBV in Taxis Sonke runs a programme specifically targeting GBV in public transport — an often overlooked but real danger for women in South Africa.

Generation Gender Programme A youth-focused programme that addresses GBV through meaningful participation from young people — training young activists to be part of the solution.

HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Sonke connects the dots between GBV, HIV, and sexual health — recognising that violence and gender inequality put women at heightened risk of HIV, and that survivors deserve access to reproductive health rights and information.

For personal counselling or crisis support, Sonke recommends contacting specialist organisations. Visit their website for a list of referral resources.