SHEImpact: Empowering Women Survivors of GBV to Lead Change in Their Communities

SheImpact is a women-focused empowerment and entrepreneurship program designed to support women who have witnessed or experienced gender-based violence (GBV), transforming vulnerability into resilience, agency, and economic opportunity. Implemented by Gemini Africa in collaboration with UNFPA and Italian Agency for Development, SheImpact places women’s dignity, safety, and economic independence at the heart of sustainable development. The program recognizes that GBV is not only a social and human rights issue but also an economic one. Women affected by violence often face barriers to employment, financial independence, and participation in public life. SheImpact addresses these challenges by providing a structured pathway that combines psychosocial awareness, capacity building, entrepreneurship skills, mentorship, and access to networks—enabling women to rebuild confidence and reclaim control over their futures. Through SheImpact, participants receive tailored training that supports both personal and professional growth. Women are equipped with practical business and life skills, supported to develop income-generating ideas or strengthen existing ventures, and connected to mentors and ecosystem actors who help them navigate pathways to sustainability. The program creates safe, supportive spaces where women can learn, share experiences, and grow together—fostering solidarity alongside skills development. The impact of empowering women survivors of GBV extends far beyond the individual. When women gain economic independence and leadership capacity, families become more stable, children gain access to better opportunities, and communities benefit from stronger local economies. Women entrepreneurs and changemakers often reinvest in education, health, and community well-being—creating a multiplier effect that contributes to long-term social cohesion and inclusive growth. SheImpact also works closely with partners across the development, private sector, and civil society ecosystems to strengthen referral pathways, raise awareness, and promote gender-responsive approaches to entrepreneurship and economic development. By integrating GBV-sensitive programming within entrepreneurship support, SheImpact demonstrates how economic empowerment can be a powerful tool for prevention, recovery, and systemic change. Through SheImpact, Gemini Africa affirms its commitment to building inclusive ecosystems where women are not defined by their experiences of violence, but by their strength, potential, and ability to lead. Empowering women is not only a matter of justice—it is an investment in healthier communities, stronger economies, and a more equitable society for all.