GL Opinion and Commentary Service
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The Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service provides mainstream media with fresh perspectives on the news.
Initiated in 2003, the Service aims to produce ten opinion pieces each month from writers across Africa on topical news items. These articles are integrated into various media sources and are uploaded onto the GMDC website for online viewing.
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 the service or publishing any of the articles, contact Saeanna Chingamuka at editor@genderlinks.org.za.
*When publishing articles from the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service, the Service must be cited.
International: Wangari Maathai's green vision lives on
01 December 11
Regional relevance: International
Women leaders are plentiful at the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP 17) meeting in Durban, South Africa, standing at the forefront in climate change discussions. For example, UNFCCC executive secretary Christiana Figueres and South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of COP 17, Maite... [read more]
Africa: Women encouraged to practice agro-ecology
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Africa
Experts have said that in extreme El Nino years, agricultural production in Sub-Saharan Africa could drop by 20-50%. Women farmers are the main producers of staple crops and account for 90% of the rural poor's consumption, meaning they will be badly hit by climate change. [read more]
Réchauffement climatique
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Mauritius
Le réchauffement climatique devrait aggraver la crise alimentaire. Et ce qui a provoqué des flambées de prix des produits alimentaires ne serait qu'un «sinistre avant-goût» de ce qui arrivera lorsque le changement climatique se fera sentir plus intensément. C’est le constat de l'organisation... [read more]
Making care count in Southern Africa
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Africa
In Southern Africa, a cadre of committed community caregivers - such as teachers, community health care worker, and sometimes community volunteers – are the cornerstone of the region’s care and support network. While the global economic situation will likely force organisations to make tough support decisions in... [read more]
Trapped and lonely
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Mauritius
My name is Sunita.*. I come from a poor family. I have no parents. Loneliness is indeed a living term I got acquainted to at a very young age. I was somehow far from imagining how my life would take an even more bitter turn on the day I got wed to Sandheep.* [read more]
HIV spending cuts will hurt front line care workers
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Malawi
The tying of red ribbons on World AIDS day this year is happening in the shadow of a frightening prospect – the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria is in financial crisis. Not only will this have significant repercussions for prevention efforts and treatment for people living with HIV (PLWHA), but also for... [read more]
ARVs make women lives safer
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Africa
Seven years ago when Mary Alividza’s doctor diagnosed her with HIV/AIDS, her living became a nightmare. One morning after an animated discussion with her husband about conceiving their second child, she left to see a doctor to attend to her recurring cough.
[read more]
Zambia: Men make great care workers too
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Zambia
In 2002, my first born son was diagnosed with HIV, and by that time he was staying with his grandmother. He phoned and told me he was not feeling well and I agreed that he should come to Lusaka. At the time he got sick he was staying in a village where there was no clinic. He came to Lusaka and stayed with me. He... [read more]
Une jalousie excessive peut induire la violence
30 November 11
Regional relevance: Mauritius
Les allégations d'infidélité peuvent mener très loin. Surtout quand on a affaire à un conjoint excessivement jaloux. Johnny n'oubliera pas de sitôt ce qu'il a fait endurer à sa compagne, Josiane, en pleines festivités du Nouvel an. [read more]
Blogging to be heard: Zimbabwe’s women take back the tech
29 November 11
Regional relevance: Zimbabwe
It was when one of my news articles - on male circumcision - returned with track changes substituting the word “penis” with “male organ” that I decided that I would have to rethink my strategy and stop writing for newspapers stuck in archaic and conservative ideology.
[read more]
