House of Treasures Ministries’ Treasured Women’s Fellowship (TWF) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women affected by Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as violence against women continues to escalate across South Africa. Under the leadership of Pastor Bulelwa Okoh and the oversight of Apostle Felix Okoh, the fellowship is repositioning the Church as a practical, responsive, and accessible partner in the national fight against GBV.
The renewed focus comes at a time when public concern around women’s safety has reached critical levels, with communities, activists, and faith-based organisations increasingly calling for decisive action beyond awareness campaigns.
High-profile GBV cases reignite National alarm
These fears have been further amplified by high-profile cases such as the devastating murder of Olorato Mongale in May 2025, which brought the safety of women in South Africa under the spotlight again, intensifying calls to strengthen the justice system.
The case added to mounting outrage following several brutal incidents, including growing calls to address the GBV scourge after a man allegedly shared a gruesome Facebook video after killing his girlfriend—an incident that sparked widespread condemnation and renewed debate about accountability and social media responsibility.
Alarming GBV statistics underscore urgency
The Olorato case unfolded against a backdrop of deeply troubling national data by thee Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). Police statistics for the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year revealed that 957 women were murdered and 10,191 rape cases were reported between July and September 2024. The crisis has shown no signs of easing, with 10,688 rape cases recorded in the first quarter of 2025 (January to March) alone.
These figures highlight the intersecting vulnerabilities women face across socio-economic and geographic divides, reinforcing concerns raised by researchers and advocacy groups examining the structural drivers of violence against women.
Further analysis on the alarming GBV statistics in SA by HSRC.
Government declares GBV a National Disaster — but questions remain
In response to the worsening crisis, government has moved to classify Gender-Based Violence and femicide as a national disaster, formally acknowledging the scale and severity of the problem.
While the announcement has been welcomed as a symbolic step forward, civil society organisations and activists have raised concerns about whether the declaration will lead to meaningful implementation, sufficient funding, and improved coordination across policing, social services, and the justice system.
How Treasured Women’s Fellowship is supporting GBV survivors
Against this national backdrop, Treasured Women’s Fellowship continues to provide free, confidential counselling, prayer support, and guidance to women experiencing abuse. Its approach combines spiritual care with practical intervention, prioritising dignity, safety, and realistic pathways to healing and independence.
“As the body of Christ, our calling is to defend, protect, and uplift those who are vulnerable. Tackling Gender-Based Violence calls for compassion and decisive action. TWF aims to serve as a safe haven and a reliable point of support for women everywhere,” said Pastor Bulelwa Okoh.
Information about the fellowship’s programmes and outreach initiatives is shared through the Treasured Women’s Fellowship Facebook page here:
Outreach beyond the pulpit
Pastor Bulelwa Okoh, who oversees church administration, special programmes, and the Women’s Ministry, continues to spearhead efforts that promote women’s personal, professional, and spiritual growth. Drawing from her corporate background, she has helped shape the practical, skills-based support embedded across Treasured Women’s Fellowship’s programmes—ensuring that care extends beyond spiritual encouragement to include real-world empowerment.
TWF’s work extends well beyond counselling rooms and church walls. Its outreach initiatives include:
- Support programmes for women in correctional facilities
- Hospital visitations
- Ongoing assistance to women’s shelters
- Mentorship programmes for young women
- Support for elderly women in surrounding communities
Through its social outreach arm, the Valley of Hope Foundation (formerly I-Care), the fellowship also provides temporary meal support to women leaving abusive environments, helping ease immediate financial pressure as survivors transition to safety.
Empowerment through faith and community
A flagship initiative is the Esther Arise Women’s Conference, which attracts more than 5,000 women annually.
Focused on empowerment, restoration, and leadership, the conference is preceded by 30 days of prayer and fasting, with participants—both in-person and online—frequently sharing testimonies of healing, renewed purpose, and personal transformation.
A call for collective action
Treasured Women’s Fellowship maintains that addressing Gender-Based Violence requires collective responsibility—from government and law enforcement to faith leaders, communities, and individuals. With a firm zero-tolerance stance on GBV, the fellowship remains committed to advocacy, education, and sustained support for women across South Africa.
As GBV continues to shape national discourse, initiatives that combine compassion with action are increasingly seen as critical in closing the gap between policy promises and the lived realities of women on the ground.
