When mothers thrive,
whole communities flourish

Tackling the SDGs

Our work directly contributes to realising the following UN Sustainable Development Goals

No poverty
Zero hunger
Good health and well being
Quality education
Gender equality
Decent work and economic growth
Reduced Inequalities

Why we exist

The high rate of women unemployment in South Africa has significant consequences for both individuals and society.

47.2%

of South African women are economically inactive

The impact of women unemployment is multifaceted. Financial hardship and limited access to resources contribute to higher poverty rates among women, exacerbating existing gender disparities. Insufficient income restricts their ability to provide for their families, including access to education, healthcare, and other basic necessities for their children.

Furthermore, the issue of women unemployment is closely tied to gender-based violence. Economic dependence and financial stress increase women’s vulnerability often trapping them in abusive relationships.

51%

of women in South Africa have experienced GBV

1/5

have experienced GBV at the hands of a partner

Our goal is to create earning opportunities for unemployed women, improving their lives and the lives of their children. We also are creating an eco-system of support where the women on our platform can access psycho-social support (trauma counseling and support groups) and personal development (coaching and skills training) opportunities.

My life was hard before I joined this platform. I couldn’t manage to pay my bills. The Cleaning Fix has helped me and changed my life these past 5 months and made me a happy woman. What I love most is that The Cleaning Fix has taught me how to represent myself to clients. Thank you so much! – Winnyfredah Nengoma

Impact Outcomes

Since we launched in 2021 we have achieved the following outcomes

Theory of Change

Impact statement

To help create an equal and just society through the development of the domestic work sector in South Africa and by connecting unemployed mothers to decent work and an eco- system of support.

Our work

Our heroes

Unemployed, or under-employed mothers, mostly under 35 years old, living in low-income communities in the greater Cape Town area. We work with both South Africans and foreign nationals residing in South Africa legally.

Activities

Cleaner on-boarding

Vetting system including criminal record checks and client reference checks
Induction & training including goal-setting and financial literacy

Market access platform

Online profiling of individual cleaners including a photo, their background, professional experience and their residential location
Booking system where customers can book and pay online

Development support

Trauma counselling as required
Life Coaching for a 6-month period

Expansion programme

Future support will include micro-enterprise development training and support groups
Regional expansion to two new cities within 2 years

Our intended impact

Outcomes and outputs

New job opportunities created

# of women on-boarded
# of job placements | job days
% women securing permanent work

Women earning a fair wage and providing for their families

R-value income increase
% who started saving
% who got out of debt
% who moved into better, more secure housing
% of children in a safer environment
% of children with better nutrition

Improved mental health, self-worth & hope for the future

% women receiving trauma counselling
% women receiving Coaching

Our work