The Callas Foundation was officially established in September 2018, but has been active for over three decades, working on various programs and collaborating with diverse partners and organizations. These partners include sports federations, various civil society and health organizations such as the Neighborhood Watch, the Community Policing Forum (CPF), the South African Public Prosecutor's Office, Legal Aid South Africa, the Department of Health, and the Department of Social Development. The Foundation strives to meet the needs of the communities it serves through a flexible and innovative approach. Our programs aim to improve the quality of life for residents in the areas we support by providing them with access to resources and opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable to them. Although the Callas Foundation's primary target group is women, the organization places great emphasis on an inclusive approach.

The Callas Foundation is committed to gender equality by supporting women, children and men through grassroots work, trauma-sensitive care and legal empowerment, thereby breaking down systems that perpetuate inequality.

Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender, or violence that disproportionately affects people of a particular gender.

Violence against women is understood as a human rights violation and a form of discrimination against women. It encompasses all acts of gender-based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, endangerment:

• physical harm,

• sexual assault,

• psychological

• or economic harm,

• or suffering for women.

This includes violence against women, domestic violence against women, men, or children living in the same household. Although women and girls are the primary victims of gender-based violence, it also inflicts serious harm within families and communities.

Caroline Peters is an African feminist, seasoned activist, social justice advocate, and community leader with over thirty years of experience working with and supporting survivors of gender-based violence. She is the founder and executive director of the Cape Flats-based Callas Foundation, which supports survivors through court accompaniment, psychosocial services, food security initiatives, community kitchens, and empowerment programs. Recognizing how food insecurity increases women's vulnerability to violence, the Callas Foundation integrates food security as a path to restoring dignity, safety, and independence for survivors.

Caroline began her activism in the early 1990s as a volunteer in a rape crisis intervention center and has since played a pivotal role in shaping national legislation, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offenses Act.

Caroline's career as an activist began in the early 1990s as a volunteer in a rape crisis intervention center and she has since been instrumental in shaping national legislation, including the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offenses Act.

Recognizing how food insecurity increases women's vulnerability to violence, the Callas Foundation integrates food security as a means of restoring dignity, safety, and independence for survivors. As Chair of MenEngage South Africa, she leads initiatives that engage men and boys as allies in the fight against gender-based violence and the promotion of gender equality. Under her leadership, MenEngage South Africa fosters vital conversations, accountability processes, and community initiatives that challenge harmful gender norms and promote non-violence.

She also serves as Chair of the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Torture and Trauma, promoting trauma-informed approaches to healing and justice.

In recognition of her visionary leadership and lasting impact, Caroline was named a finalist for the Santam Women of the Future Awards 2025 in the Social Entrepreneur category.