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.
I'm doing well and surviving
01 December 06
Regional relevance: South Africa
My life changed in the year 2000 when my daughter was brutally raped and murdered. I thought that would be the worst year of my life. But unfortunately that was only the beginning of several tragedies in my life.
[read more]
Violence and poverty fuels HIV/AIDS in young women
01 December 06
Regional relevance: Regional
For many young women, protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS is not a choice. As we mark both World AIDS day and 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, it?s important to look at just how closely the two are linked. [read more]
An activist at 13
30 November 06
Regional relevance: South Africa
My name is Kgomotso Thamae. I am 13 years old and I live with my grandmother in Orange Farm. After I discovered my grandmother?s HIV positive status I felt very sorry for her. I kept asking myself, ?Why is this happening to my grandmother?? I am very close to her; I always watch her; trying to pretend that... [read more]
From HIV victim to AIDS activist
30 November 06
Regional relevance: South Africa
I am the founder of a community based organization in Orange Farm called Let Us Grow that provides home based care and support to people living with HIV. We also train peer educators among the youth who work night and day to reduce the spread of HIV in this desperately poor community. [read more]
Why I chose to follow in my mother?s footsteps
30 November 06
Regional relevance: South Africa
My name is Mpho Thamae and I am a community health worker. I always dreamed of having my own my own hair salon. I did not plan on being a community health worker and it has not been easy for me. But I decided to take this course because of what my mother has lived through. [read more]
Stop trafficking, protect women
29 November 06
Regional relevance: DRC, Regional
To mark 16 Days of Activism, Mozambican youth group Alertos Da Vida will tour mining communities, transit points, and community venues in South Africa with a theatrical production to raise awareness about human trafficking.
[read more]
How the dream of a white wedding turned into a nightmare
28 November 06
Regional relevance: Zimbabwe
It had always been my dream to have a white wedding and I thought I had met my soul mate in Tom.* He seemed besotted with me and I thought it was just a matter of time before he popped the question. I was ecstatic. [read more]
Finding the real me in a sea of violence
27 November 06
Regional relevance: South Africa
My name is Marco from Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. I am a 39 year old black lesbian born into to a family of eight, of whom only five survived. Gender violence has been so much a part of my life that at times I wonder if there is such a thing as a life free of violence. [read more]
Teachers Never Intervened - homophobia in South African schools
27 November 06
Regional relevance: Tanzania
AJ is a white lesbian now in her 20?s; she remembers during her school days, ?I?ve always had crushes on girls. One day a friend of mine asked me, ?Who do you like?? So I told her. The next day I got beaten up at school. They kicked me and threw stones at me, and called me names.? [read more]
Celebrating a new life at 30
25 November 06
Regional relevance: Zambia
I had just finished boarding school and joined my parents in their home while I explored opportunities for college. I started working part-time and began to develop friendships with other girls my age and in similar circumstances. [read more]
