Newsletter March 2026
March Update: New Victory for Equality Projects on the Horizon
March 2026
Dear friends and supporters of Victory for Equality,
We have almost arrived at the end of the first term of 2026, entering Dutch Spring and for us that means exiting new beginnings:
The Gender Reconciliation Programs are continuing to start this coming April, with our partner organization Gender Works in South Africa.
Victory for Equality Foundation is making itself ready to join the programs with supporting local communities and townships in The Western Cape within a few months.
Gender Reconciliation Programs
Violence between men and women (physical, sexual, emotional) is devastatingly high across the world. But in South Africa, the situation is even more extreme: one woman is murdered every three hours. Violence between men is also highly visible, yet rarely met with empathy.
The Gender Reconciliation programs, run by GenderWorks in South Africa and now in partnership with Victory for Equality, bring men and women (and people of all genders) together to speak the unspeakable, and to truly listen.
Inspired by South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission after apartheid, the approach focuses on:
- Acknowledging pain on both sides
- Silent listening to each other's stories
- Truth-telling
These programs aim to address the deep-rooted forms of violence embedded in our society.
There are no lectures or quick fixes. Instead, participants enter a brave process of storytelling, reflection, and mutual witnessing. The goal? To uncover the hidden pain we carry around gender and begin to transform it, bringing what they've learned back into their families, communities, and even government structures.
A woman shared:
“For the first time, a man listened to my story: not to fix it, not to defend himself, but just to hear me. I felt seen.”
And a man said:
“I had no idea how much pain women carry because of the way we're taught to ‘be men.’ I want to do better for my daughter, for my partner, for myself.”
Across South Africa, these programs have reached government officials, community leaders, educators, and everyday citizens.
Participants leave with more than just awareness. They leave with practical tools:
- Better communication
- More empathy
- A renewed sense of responsibility in their families, workplaces, and communities
Empowering women is important. And we must continue to do so. But if we only address one side of the problem and ignore the deeper roots, we risk deepening the divide between men and women.
Real change happens when men and women come together, face what has gone wrong, and begin the healing process, not just for ourselves, but for future generations.
Victory for Equality aims to bring these programs into the townships of South Africa's Western Cape, areas often forgotten and overlooked, where violence is highest and support is lowest.
These programs are needed all over the world. But we are starting in South Africa, where the need is greatest and where our teams are ready.
The Genadendal Project
In August we are continuing to set up our support for Genadendal:
During the time of research, many years in Genadendal were spent (by myself as a cultural anthropologist) a small community in the Theewaterskloof area of South Africa's Overberg region.
Genadendal and surrounding villages are struggling with poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and a lack of opportunities, especially for children and young people.
Together with the community and local transformation board, we have the intention of implementing sustainable projects for the safety and educational growth in the community.
Phase 1:
We are creating safe spaces where children can go after school, where they receive food and healthy nutrition, both of which are often lacking at home.
In addition:
We will contribute
Victory for Equality will contribute by:
- Providing for basic needs:
- Safe shelters for children (who often come home alone or to unsafe environments)
- Healthy food and nutrition
- Providing support for education for the youth of Genadendal, to give them future opportunities, they otherwise would not have had.
Long-term vision:
Our goal is to create a safer foundation for the young people of Genadendal. To shape and build their lives further up on. Lives that are now threatened by such fundamental and urgent needs as safety and lack of opportunities, that a natural and sustainable future development for them is often not possible. To create safety, security and education with Victory for Equality's support, will help them grow into a state of more wellbeing and a better future.
What Does It Cost?
We are currently fundraising for both of these projects:
1. Gender Reconciliation Programs
Monthly reconciliation workshops for men and women
To combat gender-based violence in the Western Cape townships
Cost: €70,000 Euros for a year round of monthly projects. (€5,833 Euros per monthly Program Round).
2. Genadendal Project
- Support the most vulnerable children with safety and a food program
- Educational support for the most vulnerable youth to create better future opportunities
- Cost: €15,000 Euros per year (€5,000 Euros for the shelter, nutrition and safety place for the children). €10,000 Euros to support 5 young people in their future school opportunities.
How Can You Help?
We would love, and truly need, your help and support to make this possible. You can help us by:
- Donating via our website (victoryforequality.org/donate)
- Linking a fundraiser for Victory for Equality to an event at your company, school, club, or association
- Inviting Victory for Equality to speak at your organization: I would be honored to share our work and open up new opportunities, networks, and collaborations
We, and all the community members we work with, would be so deeply grateful for your support!
With a warm embrace,
On behalf of our team and the communities we proudly standby,
Caroline Dusée
Support our mission
Your support helps Gender Reconciliation and Genadendal grow where they are needed most.
Donate today