While Welcome was in prison in 2006 he was introduced to the Sonke Gender Justice programme and a One Man Can campaign trainer which changed his life.

Sikhangele Mabulu (pictured) is from the Sonke Gender Justice programme and worked with Welcome just before he left prison last year.

Sonke Gender Justice is a UK aid supported project that works with men and boys to stop violence against women and the spread of HIV.

“As I was getting involved in the process, I started to see my life. Do I really want to grow old aggressive? That is not the life I saw for myself.”

“The more the One Man Can trainer asked, how do you want to live your life? It was really a question I had to ask myself and I made the decision, the longer I stay in the Number Gang, the more this thing will consume me, so I decided I’m going to get out.”

Background

In March 2013 the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women will meet to discuss how to prevent all forms of violence against women and girls.

This International Women's Day, help demand action by sending a message to global leaders that it's time to put a stop to this worldwide injustice.

UK aid is working in 21 countries to address physical and sexual violence against women and girls and will be supporting 10 million women and girls with improved access to security and justice services by 2015.

Find out more at www.dfid.gov.uk/violence-against-women-and-girls

For more information about the Sonke Gender Justice programme visit genderjustice.org.za/

Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/Department for International Development

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