More than 202 women in Cape Town have been empowered through the City’s Women with Purpose Programme in the current financial year.

The initiative is run by the City of Cape Town through its Community, Arts and Culture Development Department. According to the City, the programme supports women from mainly low-income households across the metro.

The programme was previously known as Women for Change. It forms part of the City’s wider social intervention strategy, which targets issues linked to crime, gangsterism and gender-based violence in vulnerable communities.

More Than Temporary Work

The Women with Purpose Programme goes beyond short-term employment.

Participants are placed at City-linked sites for contracts of between three and six months. During this time, they also complete training focused on leadership, personal development and community upliftment.

This financial year, women were deployed across several sites, including libraries, clinics, recreation facilities, non-governmental organisations, Early Childhood Development centres and City offices.

Some participants also supported the Identikidz Programme during the 2025/2026 festive season.

Skills That Build Confidence

The training covers both practical and personal development areas.

Participants received support in leadership, financial management, first aid, conflict resolution, trauma healing, digital literacy and gender-based violence awareness.

Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, said the programme focuses on strengthening communities by investing in women.

Higham said that when women receive support, they take up leadership roles, support their families and help build safer neighbourhoods. She also encouraged more women to apply for future opportunities.

Over 6 000 Women Reached Since 2017

Since its launch in 2017, the Women with Purpose Programme has reached more than 6 000 women across Cape Town.

The City says women are selected through sub-council jobseekers databases across the metro.

The initiative continues to position women as key role players in safer, stronger and more resilient communities.