Caritas Angola to Launch “Women and Life” Initiative for Empowerment, Combatting Gender-Based Violence

The selected candidates range in age from 23 to 56 and come from diverse professional backgrounds, some of them being teachers, nurses, psychologists, and seamstresses, he said.

Training is to be delivered in thematic modules, beginning with an 18-hour entrepreneurship course from May 30 to June 1, the Caritas official in Angola said, adding that other modules are to focus on health and well-being, prevention of gender-based and domestic violence, and fostering harmony in family life.

“This diversity is one of the project's greatest strengths. It ensures that trained women can adapt their knowledge to different social realities and reach broader communities,” João Nicolau told ACI Africa.

He added, “We aim to form women not only with technical skills but with human and Christian values – love, hope, and peace. These are essential for building a just and compassionate society.”

A challenge the project seeks to overcome is the cultural normalization of violence against women, which, according to the National Secretary of Caritas Angola, persists even within Christian households due to distorted interpretations of religious values.

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“That’s why this initiative includes deep discussions on social norms and gender equality. These women will not only train others but also serve as community advocates for justice and dignity,” João Nicolau said.

Although men are not directly involved in the initial training, the project also envisions engaging them through indirect community education, he noted, adding that “men’s awareness and behavioural change are essential to eradicating domestic violence.”

The Caritas official said that the humanitarian and development entity of Angola’s Catholic Bishops has established a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess progress and ensure long-term sustainability. 

Trainers are to be evaluated after each module and supported in areas where improvement is needed. Practical community follow-up and reporting will help refine the approach for future phases.

“This isn’t just a one-time campaign,” he said, adding that the initiative is “a structured, scalable program designed for real, lasting impact.”

João Nicolau said that the “Women and Life” initiative also includes a baseline study on gender-based and domestic violence in the participating communities. The resulting report is to help guide the development of more effective public policies.

“Empowered and educated women are the backbone of resilient families and communities. This project is a step toward building a society where dignity, rights, and transformation are led by the women at its heart,” João Nicolau told ACI Africa during the May 27 interview.

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.