Partnership With Open Design Afrika & Wetopia, Making Cities Together
The ‘Girls Make The City’ Initiative.
HIS Servant NPC had the privilege of partnering with Open Design Afrika and Wetopia on their Girls Make The City (GMTC) initiative.
The Girls Make the City (GMTC) project is a vital initiative addressing the pressing issue of safety for girls in public spaces in South Africa. Local crime statistics reveal that public places are the primary locations for both contact and rape crimes, with assault Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) being the highest form, predominantly affecting females.
Young girls often fall victim to physical and sexual violence, leading to enduring consequences emotionally and psychologically. GMTC focuses on empowering girls aged 16-25 to actively shape safety in public spaces.
Historical data, such as the prevalence of rape victims under 18, informs our targeted age group.
In summary, GMTC in Cape Town addresses a critical gap in ensuring the safety and empowerment of girls in public spaces, aligning with both local statistics and the urgent need for a gender-sensitive approach to city planning. The Cape Town GMTC team, comprised of five female social impact entrepreneurs, conducted extensive research revealing a lack of gender-sensitive perspectives in city planning and design. This oversight contributes to gender-based violence, particularly in communities with limited resources. GMTC aims to provide a platform for girls to express, reimagine, and reclaim public spaces, fostering a sense of safety aligned with their current and future vision.
HIS Servant nominated 5 young girls from Bonteheuwel who exemplified leadership and teamwork qualities, and a passion for making a difference in their community. They are very eager to learn and become strong roles models for girls in their community and for future generations.
The first two workshops were held on the 04th and 11th of October 2025, with the third scheduled for the 18th of October.
Joan Bull, Founder of HIS Servant, had the pleasure of meeting Suné Stassen: Co-Founder & CEO of Open Design Afrika, Joke Quintens: Founder of Wetopia & ‘Girls Make the City, and Tiisetso Mofokeng: Spatial Design Academic and Architect Urban Research Practitioner when accompanying the young girls on the first day of the programme.
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