The Challenge | Hyrox
This August, Molly and Amy will take on HYROX Cape Town to raise funds for two community-based organisations doing important anti-gender-based violence (GBV) and education work.
The Cause | GBV
When gender-based violence forces girls out of school, limits women’s choices or silences survivors, the effects can last for generations. These two local organisations are working to break that cycle through community-led education, advocacy and practical support, helping women and young people move towards safer, more sustainable futures.
The National Movement for Youths is a youth-led community-based organisation in Mwense, Zambia. It empowers young people through skills development, advocacy and community-driven initiatives. Led by dynamic young people with lived experience, the organisation promotes practical solutions to local challenges and is built on the belief that sustainable development begins with empowered youth and inclusive participation.
GEBAVECHI is a community-based organisation focused on a community free of gender-based violence, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and poverty. They are a wide-spread organisation with members equipped to provide counselling services and sensitisation training in schools and communities. Their deep roots in the community allow them to provide practical, trusted support for skills development and reintegration for those affected by early marriage, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence.
These organisations are small, locally rooted and deeply trusted. They are close to the people they serve, but they frequently operate with limited funding, stretched teams and growing needs.
Why Community-Based Organisations?
Local community-based organisations are often best placed to create lasting change because they understand the people, culture and daily realities of the communities they serve. They know where support is most needed and can respond in practical, trusted and culturally sensitive ways. By fundraising for specific resources, training and equipment, we can help strengthen their work directly and transparently, ensuring donations become tangible tools they can use to support survivors, educate communities and protect vulnerable young people.
What your donation will help provide
This fundraiser is designed to give each organisation practical resources that strengthen the work they are already doing. Every item has been requested because it helps increase their reach, improve their day-to-day work, and support more people in these communities.
NAMY
NAMY strongly advocates for children to attend and remain in school, recognising education as one of the most powerful tools for preventing gender-based violence. In rural areas, community schools are essential because they reduce the long distances young learners, some as young as five, must walk to access education.
Funds raised for NAMY will be allocated to Mulundu Community School of Peace, helping equip 100 students with the basic resources they need to stay in school.
Donations will help provide:
- Backpacks
- Uniforms
- Socks and shoes
- Notebooks and stationery
- Additional learning materials
These items may seem simple to many of us, but they can make the difference between a child attending school consistently or missing the opportunity for an education that could change their lives.
GEBAVECHI
GEBAVECHI’s core mandate is to raise awareness around gender equality and gender-based violence, while providing support to victims and survivors. Their work includes sensitisation workshops for teachers and traditional leaders, as well as emergency response support for those affected by severe gender-based violence.
To improve their reach and response across rural communities, GEBAVECHI has requested practical resources that will strengthen mobility, communication and local coordination.
Donations will help provide:
- 2 motorcycles with helmets
- Road safety training and licensing
- 70 uniforms
- Bulk stationery
- 10 smartphones
Bear Cannon is proud to have co-developed the first “Ending Gender-Based Violence: A Handbook for Traditional and Community Leaders” with GEBAVECHI. These resources will help extend the reach of this valuable handbook, supporting more leaders and communities with practical guidance to recognise, prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
GEBAVECHI’s sensitisation workshops with traditional leaders require a context-specific resource to ensure communication and messaging are appropriate for the by-laws and regulations of the community. This co-developed handbook provides local leaders with the guidance required to manage GBV cases appropriately. View a teaser for this one-of-a-kind resource below.
The Social Issue: Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence is a broader social issue shaped by poverty, inequality, harmful social norms, lack of access to education, weak protection systems, and limited opportunities for women and girls.
In many rural communities, these pressures can overlap. Girls may be more vulnerable to early marriage or pregnancy when families are under financial strain, when schools are far away or unaffordable, or when communities have limited access to information about rights, health and protection. Survivors of violence may also face stigma, fear, isolation, or pressure to stay silent.
This is why local, community-based organisations are so important. They are close enough to understand the realities people face, trusted enough to start difficult conversations, and practical enough to respond in ways that make sense locally.
What influences Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in rural communities?
Limited education
A lack of education can reduce choices and make young people more vulnerable to abuse. Education helps girls understand their rights, build confidence and imagine a future beyond early marriage or dependency. It also gives communities the knowledge to challenge harmful behaviour before it becomes normalised.
Poverty
When families are under pressure, women and girls can face greater risk of exploitation, early marriage or unsafe relationships. Poverty can also make it harder for girls to stay in school, especially when boys’ education is prioritised. Without financial independence, survivors may feel they have no safe way to leave harmful situations.
Early marriage and pregnancy
Early marriage and teenage pregnancy can interrupt education and limit future opportunities. They can also increase isolation, dependency and exposure to abuse. Supporting girls to stay in or return to school helps protect their dignity, safety and independence.
Harmful gender norms
In some communities, unequal expectations of men and women are treated as normal. Women and girls are often most affected, but men and boys can also experience gender-based violence and stigma. Raising awareness helps communities challenge harmful beliefs, recognise abuse in all its forms and build safer relationships.
Stigma and fear
Many survivors stay silent because they fear blame, shame, retaliation or not being believed. This silence allows violence to continue and can leave survivors feeling isolated. Safe spaces, counselling and trusted local advocates can help people speak out and seek support.
Weak access to services
Rural communities may have limited access to police, healthcare, legal support, social workers or safe transport. This can make it difficult for survivors to report violence or get help quickly. Local organisations can help bridge that gap by connecting people to support they can trust.