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MOSAIC’s mission and strategic objectives are focused on strengthening the system for the prevention and response of domestic and intimate-partner violence in its socio-economic and political context. We strive to advance the vision of creating a more gender-equal society where vulnerable people, especially women and children, are safe from abuse and violence in their relationships, homes and communities. Our vision is anchored by four approaches that are cross-cutting in our services, training, mobilisation, convening, communication and advocacy work.

These approaches are the foundation of our theory of change.

PREVENTION

 

Recognising that unequal gender and cultural norms and harmful power inequities drive violence against women, we seek to transform this through skills-based psycho-social education, training, awareness raising and behavioural change.

SUPPORT

Responding to both the urgent practical gender needs of survivors of violence through our continuum of care, access to justice and healing services, and their strategic gender needs such as their right to live free from violence. We seek to do this through skills training, healing and empowerment.

COLLABORATION

Feminist principles of inclusion and participation inform our approach to collaborating with all stakeholders in various sectors to ensure that survivors of violence have access to care, support, safety, security and justice. In order to facilitate equitable access to trauma-informed, survivor-centred services as guaranteed in law, MOSAIC convenes multi-stakeholder collaboratives in local communities and participates in local, provincial, national, regional and international forums to strengthen the response system. We believe that a responsive system leads and contributes to prevention of violence against women and children.

ACTIVATION

Systems strengthening needs to be grounded in the intersectional needs of women, recognising that they have multiple experiences of inequality and discrimination. Activating processes, platforms to interrogate, develop, amend and challenge policies and laws driven by women’s voices and experiences is essential to ensure that legislative and policy changes contribute to advancing gender equality.  We seek to transform the experience of survivors when accessing care, support, safety, security and justice so as to avoid secondary victimisation.

LEARNING

MOSAIC’s ability to prevent, respond, activate and collaborate is informed by deliberate learning from direct experiences, observations, stories, reflections, monitoring and evaluation processes grounded in communities and the people it serves. The organisation is highly accountable and people-centred, understanding that ending all forms of domestic and intimate-partner violence against vulnerable groups, especially women and children requires innovation, experimentation and dynamism.

MOSAIC has been implementing services, programmes and interventions to reduce women’s experiences of violence in relationships, homes and communities for thirty years. The fact that we have been able to continue to grow and develop our services in the context of the dwindling funding for VAW/VAC in the broader funding landscape, attests to the fact that we have been adding value. In the past five years, we have been reflecting on how we can continue to respond to incidents of violence and ensure that women and their children access care, support, safety and justice while deepening our prevention interventions and activating resources and people to remove systemic barriers that hinder our progress. Our theory of change is informed by our experience and understanding of the need to work on all levels of the ecosystem – the individual, relationship, community, society and institutional. 

Guiding Principles

African Feminist Ethos Grounding Our Work

Our feminist work is deeply rooted in African feminist principles, where we strive for the equal worth of women and girls alongside men and boys. Working within the African context, we acknowledge historical power imbalances exacerbated by colonialism and apartheid. This informs our alignment with the African Feminist Charter, affirming our identity as African feminists. We address the unique challenges faced by African women, advocating for gender equality, social justice, and empowerment within the rich tapestry of African cultures and socio-political realities. Our approach emphasizes the intersectionality of gender with race, class, and ethnicity in the pursuit of women’s rights and liberation in Africa.

Socio-Ecological Approach to Gender Transformation

We adopt a socio-ecological understanding to guide our gender transformative efforts, particularly in combating systemic violence, including domestic and intimate-partner violence prevalent among women and children. Rooted in feminist principles, this approach recognizes that patriarchal norms perpetuate gender inequality, leading to injustice and abuse in private spaces. Our program design aligns with the socio-ecological model, which considers individual, relational, community, and societal factors influencing behaviors and outcomes. By targeting multiple levels of influence—from personal to policy-related factors—we aim for comprehensive and sustainable change. This approach, adapted from Michau et al., integrates feminist, intersectional perspectives to address the complex layers of gender-power relations.

Human Rights-Centered Approach

At MOSAIC, we view gender equality and safety within relationships, homes, and communities as fundamental human rights. Our services are not charity but a catalyst for individuals, especially women and children, to reclaim their rights. Through human rights literacy campaigns and policy analysis, we empower communities to understand and advocate for their rights in both political and socio-economic spheres. This holistic approach informs our advocacy priorities and strengthens community resilience.

Collective Impact and Community Engagement

MOSAIC employs the collective impact model to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders—including government, non-profits, businesses, and communities—to address complex social issues effectively. This structured approach ensures a shared vision, coordinated efforts, and measurable outcomes, driving significant and sustainable change. We engage with each community contextually, mapping needs and leveraging existing networks to ensure our interventions are responsive and aligned with community priorities. This collaborative approach fosters community ownership and enables stakeholders to collectively identify barriers and implement solutions through capacity building, resource mobilisation, and policy advocacy.

This integrated approach underscores our commitment to transformative change, promoting gender equality, and empowering communities across Africa.

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Mitchell’s Plain Office
Cnr Pyrennes & Kilimanjaro
Tafelsig
Mitchell’s Plain
7785

+27 (0)21 397 3291

Philippi Office
Khanyisa Centre
Philippi
7785
Walk-In Centre

Paarl East Office
Paarl Magistrate Court
Cnr of Mark & Bergrivier Blvd S
Paarl
7646
Walk-in Centre

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