Sonke Gender Justice proudly recognizes Kindernothilfe (KNH) as a strategic partner that is not only investing in programs but actively shaping impact on the ground. Sonke’s work in Eastern Cape, South Africa, through the Eyolutsha leMpumaKapa project aims to strengthen the rights of children and youth through protection against sexual and gender-based violence and promoting advocacy.
KNH’s approach is clear: this is not a passive donor and beneficiary relationship, it is embedded with mutually beneficial partnership rooted in a strong commitment to child participation as a core driver of change.
In 2026 during a recent Eastern Cape site visit, KNH representatives travelled from Brazil and Germany to engage directly with the lived realities of the communities and practitioners at the center of this work. This was not a symbolic visit. It was a hands-on, insight-driven engagement with learners, educators, traditional leadership, and gender justice practitioners.
In schools, KNH witnessed firsthand how gender-transformative interventions are shifting mindsets and creating space for young people to interrogate inequality and violence in their daily lives. Learners were given space to speak, reflect, and challenge.
They engaged with confidence, curiosity, and a clear articulation of how gender inequality and violence shape their everyday lives. This intentional centering of children’s voices is not incidental; it is a defining feature of KNH and Sonke’s partnership foundation.
A standout moment was KNH’s engagement with traditional leadership, including a high-level dialogue with the Royal Highness Queen Nonzuzo of amaGcaleka. This created a powerful intersection between community-driven and gender justice programming; it is opening pathways for culturally grounded, sustainable GBV prevention strategies. This is where real systems change happens at the nexus of tradition, youth voice, and progressive intervention.
What differentiates KNH is their operating model. They don’t just ask what is being delivered they interrogate how, why, and for whom. They show up, they listened especially to children and young people and they co-create solutions. This level of engagement strengthens programme integrity, deepens learning, and ensures interventions community-owned informed from the realities of those most affected.
This is a partnership done right. A mutually beneficial relationship between a donor and gender justice practitioners.
KNH’s partnership with Sonke is anchored in mutual respect, shared accountability, and a long-term vision for gender justice. Their continued investment seeks to understand not only the impact and outcomes partitioners can provide, it is reinforcing a broader ecosystem of change that center communities and children as agents, not beneficiaries.
We acknowledge KNH as a donor that is setting the standard: present, intentional, and unapologetically committed to amplifying children’s voices and lived realities in the fight against GBV.
