According to Stats SA (2020), more than half of South Africa’s population of almost 60 million are women (51,1%). Women face the burden of economic, social and political marginalisation as a consequence of the patriarchal social and cultural hierarchy which prevent them from accessing opportunities to uplift and empower themselves. Gender based violence and femicide remains a painful reality in our country, especially in rural areas. To add insult to injury, South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world; as of June 2020, this rate was 30,1%. The youth which is generally between the ages of 15-34 years, accounts for no less than a third of the total population (20,4 million), are most affected by the burden of unemployment. Within this cohort, the unemployment rate was at 42%. Those who are between the ages of 15-24 years, are particularly vulnerable with an unemployment rate of 59%. These figures have of course been gravely exacerbated by the global Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to a further three million citizens losing their job in July 2020. Furthermore, an alarming number of the younger generation and women continue to be detached from both the education system and the work- force. They continuously find themselves unable to fully participate in the socio-economic arena within our society.

The PPSF envisions a society where women and the youth are empowered, leading self-sufficient and sustainable lives. In order to create such a society, the PPSF’s key objective is to be a life-changing catalyst for transformative change by providing and co-creating solutions that will contribute towards freeing the potential of women and the youth, and ultimately improving their lives. These efforts can only be achieved through a collaborative approach within the existing and envisaged progressive agenda and corresponding programmes involving various stakeholders which include government, businesses , communities, and like-minded individuals and organisations. In tandem with it’s vision and objectives, the PPSF has compiled a ‘Programme of Action’ to guide it’s targeted activities for cultivation a significant change in the lives of its beneficiaries by 2030.