SOUTH AFRICAN MANAGEMENT TEAM
Debi Steven - Founder & President
Having herself survived a rape at 11 years of age, and driven by her belief that all women and teenage girls should be empowered and know how to defend themselves, Debi Steven has built her twenty-five year career on empowering women and girls by teaching personal safety workshops to individuals, schools, universities and many blue chip companies and organisations.
In July 2013, she founded Action Breaks Silence to offer her training FREE of charge to women and girls at risk of sexual or gender-based violence in South Asia and Africa.
In 2016 Debi was the recipient of an ‘International Women of Change’ award and in 2016, was awarded the “Point of Light” by David Cameron, the then UK Prime Minister, in recognition of her work in the UK, India and South Africa. She is a regular contributor to BBC radio.
Having herself survived a rape at 11 years of age, and driven by her belief that all women and teenage girls should be empowered and know how to defend themselves, Debi Steven has built her twenty-five year career on empowering women and girls by teaching personal safety workshops to individuals, schools, universities and many blue chip companies and organisations.
In July 2013, she founded Action Breaks Silence to offer her training FREE of charge to women and girls at risk of sexual or gender-based violence in South Asia and Africa.
In 2016 Debi was the recipient of an ‘International Women of Change’ award and in 2016, was awarded the “Point of Light” by David Cameron, the then UK Prime Minister, in recognition of her work in the UK, India and South Africa. She is a regular contributor to BBC radio.
Sarah Robbie - Chief Executive Officer
Sarah is hugely experienced in the charity sector, with a particular expertise in corporate fundraising and a background in television and corporate video communications. She has worked with some leading UK charities including Mind, Make-A-Wish Foundation and London’s Air Ambulance and she will now be working with the Founder, Debi Steven, using her experience to further develop the charity’s strategy and drive the continued growth of Action Breaks Silence.
A life-long sports woman, Sarah believes in in empowering women and girls and educating boys to respect all women.
Sarah said: “I am delighted to have accepted the role of CEO of Action Breaks Silence. ABS has made great strides forward since starting its work in 2013. I am
confident that the next few years will be truly exciting and that we will achieve further growth, allowing the charity to deliver more programmes and greater awareness to help break the cycle of of gender-based violence.”
Sarah is hugely experienced in the charity sector, with a particular expertise in corporate fundraising and a background in television and corporate video communications. She has worked with some leading UK charities including Mind, Make-A-Wish Foundation and London’s Air Ambulance and she will now be working with the Founder, Debi Steven, using her experience to further develop the charity’s strategy and drive the continued growth of Action Breaks Silence.
A life-long sports woman, Sarah believes in in empowering women and girls and educating boys to respect all women.
Sarah said: “I am delighted to have accepted the role of CEO of Action Breaks Silence. ABS has made great strides forward since starting its work in 2013. I am
confident that the next few years will be truly exciting and that we will achieve further growth, allowing the charity to deliver more programmes and greater awareness to help break the cycle of of gender-based violence.”
Kgahlisho Nozibele Manenzhe - Programme Manager
“The role of Project Coordinator at Action Breaks Silence (ABS) resonates well with the path I have channelled my career to take and I believe this is going to make a great impact in the lives of the children in South Africa”.
Kgahisho is our first full time employees in SA. Her important role is to support the organisation and delivery of our schools programmes, workshops and NGO partnerships in SA as well as representing ABS at fundraisers, conferences and other events.
Kgahlisho has worked over 7 years as a manager leading multiple teams and stakeholders. She also has over six years with NGOs/NPOs running project to care of HIV Orphans and to empower women and youth.“The role of Project Coordinator at Action Breaks Silence (ABS) resonates well with the path I have channelled my career to take and I believe this is going to make a great impact in the lives of the children in South Africa”.
