Women’s month brings to mind all the negatives: gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

But, says Henda van der Merwe, director of CMR Gauteng-Oos, from our perspective we see women as mothers, caregivers, nurturers, and much more. And much of our support to women is aimed at empowering women with emotional as well as practical support.

As a child and family social work organisation, we know very well that the wellness of our children rests in large part on the role of mothers in our society. 

A woman is the sum total of many roles: partner, mother, caregiver and in so many instances also the sole breadwinner. And in many of the areas we work in, mothers go out to work while grannies have to step in to look after the young ones. “A woman’s work is never done, they say.” It is so true.

As one work-from-home mom says when she packs up to go home: “Now I am going to my other job.”

“Let us remember during this month all those mothers who care for children not their own: Foster mothers, grannies, adoptive mothers, and all others who step in to care for children. Their formation is of the essence; and in fact, the contribution mothers make life on in perpetuity.”

Van der Merwe points out that CMR Gauteng-Oos rendered services to 2 324 women and 2 769 children last year.

“Mothers, we salute you.”