The City of Cape Town’s libraries are kicking off another round of the Women’s Information Skills Empowerment (WISE) programme. The programme has already empowered hundreds of women from across the city. Read more below:
WISE was birthed when Cape Town became one of 13 cities around the world to be selected by the Carter Center in the United States to participate in its first global Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign.
The aim of the campaign was to ensure women can seek and receive impactful information from their governments and thrive in their communities.
‘The women in our communities stepped up to the plate and received basic computer skills with a view to source information on local government services and were then expected to share that information within communities. It did so well, we decided to continue and build on the programme and WISE was established.
‘We’re not only expanding on the initial programme, but it’s also aimed at curtailing the high levels of information illiteracy within communities especially among women,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross.
The programme is offered at 14 libraries this year, with Scottsdene Library completing its programme at the end of 2022 where 15 women from the community benefitted.
Some of the women pledged to help with the high school dropout rate and were committed to working within their communities to provide education on municipal issues. Others registered their non-profit organisations and are looking forward to registering for short courses to enhance their skills further.
There are 10 participants in each six-week in-depth programme and the women who graduate, are encouraged to become information activists.
Langa Library started their WISE last week, while Manenberg Library will start later this month.
‘Apart from digital literacy sessions, the participants are also able to undergo job readiness training and other empowerment skills. Libraries have long since moved on from only being a storage place for knowledge and information. Our libraries are facilities which actively seek to share all their information with their communities and I encourage our patrons to participate when the opportunity arises,’ added Councillor Van der Ross.
Please approach your librarian to find out if the programme is offered and how you can participate.
