At Rise Up Together, we know that meaningful change isn’t instant – it’s enduring. Creating solutions that protect women and girls for generations requires more than a single effort; it takes patience, persistence, and partnership. Our approach goes beyond quick wins. We invest in local leaders and strategies that reshape communities, policies, and institutions for lasting impact.
One leader whose work brings this vision to life is Joyce Nomagugu Msomi. When Joyce joined our South Africa Accelerator in 2020, she imagined a safe, accessible space for survivors of gender-based violence in her community. What began as an idea grew into a determined advocacy journey, supported by Rise Up Together through training, funding, and ongoing technical assistance.
Over the past five years, Joyce navigated a complex landscape of political shifts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an alarming rise in gender-based violence throughout South Africa. But her commitment never wavered.
This August, her tireless efforts culminated in the opening of the KwaMashu Thuthuzela Care Centre – a beacon of hope providing medical care, trauma counseling, legal support, and shelter referrals for women, girls, and LGBTQ+ survivors. “Before the Thuthuzela care center, victims struggled to reach services,” Joyce shared. “Now they can take a short walk or a single mode of transport to access help.”
Joyce’s story highlights why long-term investment is crucial. Short-term interventions may offer immediate relief, but lasting advocacy changes the systems that shape people’s lives. It shifts policies, transforms societal attitudes, and strengthens institutions so that justice doesn’t just happen once – it continues for years to come.
“Rise Up Together’s advocacy training, financial support, and mentorship had a profound impact on my advocacy strategy and leadership approach,” Joyce reflected. “I felt empowered with the skills and knowledge I needed to make a real difference.”
Her work has already received national recognition, yet the true measure of success is the thousands of survivors who now have access to care that didn’t exist five years ago – and will continue to benefit for decades.
At Rise Up Together, we’re proud to stand with leaders like Joyce. We’re committed to solutions that last, because gender equity that endures is worth the time and effort it takes. By supporting visionary local leaders, we don’t just improve lives – we transform futures.
Read more incredible Rise Up Leader stories from our Global Good News series here.
