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The Gender Links (GL) Opinion and Commentary Service provides mainstream media with fresh perspectives on everyday news.
Initiated in 2003, the Service aims to produce ten opinion pieces each month from writers across Africa on topical news items. The articles are uploaded onto the GMDC website for online viewing and sent via the GL list - serve. The pieces are also sent to editors in the region and beyond for republishing in their newspapers and other media outlets.
This service provides an opportunity for contributers to speak their mind on a variety of relevant and often controversial subjects.
To view articles please scroll below or for specific search terms, click here
If you are interested in contributing to English service or publishing any of the articles, contact Saeanna Chingamuka at editor@genderlinks.org.za. Contact Bayano Valy at lusophone@genderlinks.org.za if you are interested in Portuguese service and Marie - Annick Savripene at francophone@genderlinks.org.za for French service.
*When publishing articles from the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service, the Service must be cited.
In the 1980’s, many African women had black patches on their cheeks due to the side effects of a popular skin lightener on the market at that time. The largest numbers of people using skin lighteners in Southern Africa are women. However, men also use the products in places like the Democratic Republic of the... [read more]
Every August, some Thabo, Dickson or Harrington asks, “Why do we have Women's Month? Every month is women’s month.” The likes of Lilian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph would turn in their graves. [read more]
Little is currently being done by government and other stakeholders to ensure that Africa’s youth play an active role in mitigating the effects of climate change. One thing is for sure: if they are not involved in coming up with solutions, today’s youth will inherit a depleted Africa. [read more]
Drug and alcohol abuse is escalating internationally with recent evidence showing that substance abuse is on the rise outside of the western industrialised world, and not only among marginalised groups. [read more]
Imagine if, in celebration of Women's Month, men and women could switch places for just a short while, to experience life in the other's shoes? Women in South Africa face one of the highest rates of gender violence in the world. If abusers could experience violence first hand, even for just a day, would it open... [read more]
It is an image that has become the symbol of youth resistance to political oppression. A young man, Mbuyisa Makhubo, runs through the streets of Soweto cradling the limp body of a boy, Hector Pieterson, clad in school uniform, blood oozing from his mouth. The boy’s sister, Antoinette Sithole, runs along with the... [read more]
It is estimated that at least 5.5 million unsafe abortions occur in Africa every year and about 40% of the women die as a result of complications due to these procedures. Abortion, unless it is done for medical purposes, remains illegal in most of the region. [read more]
After decades of marginalisation, South Sudanese women may soon be able to lead a normal life now that their country has gained independence and ended years of conflict with North Sudan. [read more]
All soap operas have similar themes, characters and story lines: there is always a villain, a town gossip, a rich family, a poor family, never-ending love triangles, murder, sex and scandal. But what has also always been familiar about soap operas is their perpetuation of negative stereotypes in a very unrealistic... [read more]
