April in South Africa is marked as Freedom Month — a time when we are expected to reflect on the long road to liberation and celebrate how far we’ve come since 1994. But as this month draws to a close, it feels dishonest to celebrate. Instead, it feels more fitting to grieve, to rage, and […]
WOSSO: April was not Freedom Month Read More »
Imagine being trapped in the darkest, most terrifying moment of your life—only for that nightmare to stretch on for years, even decades. Imagine crying for help and hearing nothing but silence. Imagine seeking justice, only to be met with indifference, delays, and a system that seems designed to break you instead of protecting you. This
SA: Justice delayed is justice denied Read More »
For years, Zintle Khobeni believed herself strong enough to resist violence. But in 2015, a gang-rape in her home in Johannesburg shattered her sense of security and sent her world crumbling. At just 24, she was forced to confront the brutal realities of sexual violence and its lasting societal repercussions. Seeking a fresh start, Zintle
Taking on South Africa’s failing system Read More »
Johannesburg, 28 March: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Despite significant strides in policy and advocacy, GBV continues to devastate lives, with women and girls disproportionately affected. Recent data reveals alarming statistics: 35.5% of women in South Africa have experienced physical or sexual violence,
GBV in SADC: Progress, challenges, and pushing forward Read More »
Johannesburg 07 February 2025– The African Women in Dialogue (AfWID) 2025 conference concluded successfully at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, bringing together dynamic women leaders, activists, and policymakers to discuss the future of African women beyond the Beijing Declaration. The conference served as a transformative space for dialogue, advocacy, and reflection, with
AfWID: Young women leaders make a mark Read More »
16 December, 2024: Today is Reconciliation Day in South Africa—a day meant to symbolise healing, unity, and the promise of a better future. This day comes just after the Sixteen Days of Activism on Gender Violence, that runs from 25 November (International Day of No Violence Against Women) to 10 December, Human Rights Day. Reconciliation is a
SA: No reconciliation without justice for women Read More »
16 December: I am a 28-year-old woman who grew up in rural areas of South Africa and witnessed the devastating effects of domestic and gender-based violence (GBV). I am writing this story as we transition from the Sixteen Days of Activism to the rest of the year with a personal plea: to break the cycle
SA: Breaking the cycle of violence Read More »
Bindura, Zimbabwe 6 December: Today we commemorate the Montreal Massacre, a day to reflect on femicide and conversely to commit to positive masculinity. On December 6, 1989, Mark Lepine entered École Polytechnique at the Université of Montréal, Canada with the intent to kill women, blaming them for his failure to gain entrance to the engineering programme.
Sixteen Days: Shout out for positive masculinity Read More »
Johannesburg, November 24, 2024: Gender Links (GL) and partners join the global community in saying “no” to gender violence with a concerted, multi-faceted campaign that moves from evidence to action during this Sixteen Days of Activism. The Sixteen Days spans the period from 25 November, International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, International Human
Southern Africa: Uniting to end Gender Violence Read More »
Johannesburg, 25 November: The recent Gisele Pelicot rape case in France has once again thrust the issues of consent, sexual violence, and societal accountability into the spotlight. The case that has gripped France on the eve of the Sixteen Days of Activism has prompted feminist protests, and should cause all of us to re-examine the meaning of
Sixteen Days: Get this – no means no! Read More »
