
Transforming Gender Equality
Sowing Seeds of Respect. Growing Champions of Equality.
Gender equality is a fundamental imperative for building strong, peaceful, and prosperous societies. True equality means that all individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal value, the freedom to pursue their full potential without the constraints of rigid, outdated stereotypes or exposed to harmful behaviours based on their gender. Achieving this transformation requires a approach that actively engages all genders, addresses ingrained cultural norms, and initiates change from the earliest possible age, turning boys and girls into lifelong champions of respect and fairness. Elizayo has a variety of early intervention/prevention programs - for both high risk youth and adults.

It's A Girl Thang
This program provides a framework to guide the prevention and intervention of at-risk and marginalised girls. It is designed to nurture and reinforce femaleness as a positive identity with inherent strengths to support healthy self-expression. Additionally, it also provides decision-making models and life skills to aid in the transition to womanhood. Marginalized and at-risk pre-adolescent and adolescent females, aged 12 to 18, are provided with an opportunity to explore their experiences of abuse, sexual exploitation, body image and violence, as well as their strengths and daily lived realities in a safe and non-threatening environment. Participants are provided with the opportunity to explore their experiences of abuse, exploitation and stereotyping by developing a positive identity with inherent strengths for healthy self-expression.

Boy in the Box
The Program aims is to create a healthy gender culture, where Boys and Adolescents males are empowered to play an active role in promoting gender equality and healthy gender norms. They are empowered to recognize and change harmful attitudes and behaviors towards women and to advocate for gender equality. Boys between the ages of 10-18 are provided with the tools and knowledge to challenge harmful masculinities, by developing a deeper understanding of gender stereotyping and rigid hierarchies. Violence against women is a major issue in society, and at Elizayo, we believe that addressing harmful masculinities is the key to preventing it - we are committed to decreasing and preventing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and the stereotyping of women. Over ten sessions we provide a safe space for participants to help them understand the impact of their attitudes and behaviors towards women. Together, we can create a safer and more respectful world.

Friend or Foe
The Program aims to enable marginalised and at-risk girls, aged 11- 18, to identify and avoid a range of negative sexual experiences that involve varying degrees of coercion. We are committed to empowering young girls to speak up and take control of their lives and identify and avoid negative sexual experiences through education and confidence building. We want them to feel safe and comfortable in their relationships, and to be able to say no when they are not comfortable. We are committed to empowering young women to speak up and take control of their lives. Coercion can create an unhealthy power dynamic in any relationship, and our mission is to spread awareness about its various forms. Contrary to popular belief, coercive control is not always aggressive and our services aim to aid those who have suffered any form of emotional abuse. Coercive control can include assault, threats, humiliation, intimidation, emotional manipulation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten victims.

Straightjacket Men
The Program examines the discriminatory attitudes and behavioral patterns that encourage many men and boys to be violent and reckless - they develop skills and strategies to reduce the resulting harm as well as prevent its perpetuation. The Program aims to empower young people, to prevent, avoid, and defend against violence and reckless behavior as wel as challenge assumptions about personal identity, gender roles, and power imbalances that lie at the root of much interpersonal violence and reckless behavior. 12 sessions

Decide, Don't Slide
Elizayo is committed to instilling the concept of gender equality and social justice in girls at a young age. We understand that finding a balance between seeking acceptance from peers and maintaining a sense of individuality can be a struggle. Adolescence can be a challenging time for many young girls and our comprehensive girls' empowerment program is designed to help young girls make informed decisions and become confident, empowered young women. Our program empowers young girls and helps them build protective factors to maintain healthy relationships. With our strong focus on safety and wise sexual choices, we aim to guide and support girls toward their safety goals. We're dedicated to providing the tools and resources that girls need to develop a deep understanding of healthy relationships and make informed decisions that will serve them throughout their lives. We want to empower them to make informed decisions regarding aspects such as sexual activity and peer pressure. By providing girls between 11- 18 years with the tools necessary to build strong connections with peers and develop positive self-image, we help young individuals grow into confident adults ready to take on the world.

Courageously Man
The Courageously Man program is designed to empower participants by providing them with the tools they need to challenge assumptions about personal identity, gender roles and power imbalances. Through our program, they will develop the skills to facilitate respect for their own dignity and human rights, as well as the dignity and equal rights of others. We’re committed to reducing the prevalence of gender-based violence by challenging cultural norms. Our program focuses on toxic masculinity and unhealthy, learned behaviors that contribute to gender-based violence. We help boys between 10-14 years old to cope with difficult situations and feelings, reducing aggressive and disruptive behaviors. Join us in making a difference today.

The Boy Code
Often, boys are raised in an environment that expects them to be tough and to take risks to prove their manhood. If we want to raise respectful boys, we have to take the responsibility for what we are perpetuating and teaching as a society: The ‘boy code. Our program focuses on helping boys, aged 10-14 years, to reframe the boy code, so they are not constrained by it. This includes helping them with emotions, boundaries and developing respectful relationships. It does not blame boys themselves but seeks to change the culture that creates the boy code. Our aim with this program is to help boys to develop the skills and knowledge to challenge assumptions about personal identity, gender roles, and power imbalances that perpetuate interpersonal violence and reckless behaviour. Through this program, they will develop skills that facilitate respect for their own dignity and human rights, as well as for the dignity and equal rights of others.

Free From Violence
The devastating effects of domestic violence on women are well documented. Far less is known about the impact on children who witness a parent or caregiver being subjected to violence. Witnessing domestic violence can lead children to develop an array of age-dependent negative effects. The Program aims to address the cyclical nature of parents who are victims or perpetrators of domestic violence to understand the impact of the behaviour on children, as well as how to address and support children who have witnessed domestic violence. 10 sessions



