The year is 1992 in Alexendra Clinic, and the Soul City Institute for Social and Behaviour Change is born. Democracy was on the horizon and 2 young doctors wanted to address the apartheid legacy on mother and child health.
About Soul City Institute
We are an intersectional feminist organisation, working to ensure that girls, young women and gender minorities enjoy substantive equality, with access to resources and opportunities that enable them to live fulfilling lives.
“Behaviour change is not linear, nor is it easy. Ending GBVF requires a shift in cultural norms and attitudes toward gender,”
- Phinah Kodisang, CEO.
The Soul City Institute is guided by the South African Constitution, with a focus on parts such as Section 27 that outline that everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare. We work tirelessly to make these and other rights such as the right to freedom, dignity and equality a reality for all, particularly for those who find themselves on the margins of oppression. SCI operates according to the principles and values of human rights, using an intersectional approach to ensure that nobody is left behind in the goal of eradicating poverty and ensuring equity for all.
Our Mission
We promote, support and amplify girls, young women and gender minorities’ feminist consciousness, voice, agency and activism.
Our Vision
A just society where girls, young women and gender minorities live with dignity, exercise self-determination, and have the health and well-being to achieve their fullest potential.
The work we do
Our Influence
The Soul City Institute has influenced social and behavioural change through our various programmes targeted at adolescents and youth.
- 95% of former Soul Buddyz Club members say that being part of the programme has impacted positively on their lives.
“I didn’t get pregnant at an early age,” former Soul Buddyz Club member.
- Exposure to the Rise Young Women programme is associated with HIV testing, negotiating condom use, and awareness of GBV support services.
“They taught us about the types of contraceptives and how to avoid unwanted pregnancies. They taught us about the different types of condoms and different sexually transmitted diseases…We were also taught about teenage pregnancy. Everything was very helpful,” Rise Young Women’s Club member.
Partners
The work we do is made possible by the generous support of our partners.
- National Department of Health
- National Department of Basic Education
- Ford Foundation
- GBVF Response Fund
- International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
- The Sishen Iron Ore Company-Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT)
- The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
- ActionAid South Africa
- What Works to Prevent Violence
Soul City People
People who are passionate about our cause
Access to information
Statutory documents (such as the MOI, Minutes of meetings, etc) will be made available in any South African official language upon request
