Articles about Gender Links Opinion And Commentary Service For The Sixteen Days Of Activism Organization
Young woman committed to overcome double suffering
08 December 11 | (1) Comment
Regional relevance: Mozambique
Two years ago I travelled from my village in Zavala, in Inhambane Province to Maputo, Mozambique´s capital, to undergo my third surgical fistula repair. I was 23 years old at the time and had been suffering from obstetric fistula for seven years, since the day I delivered a stillborn baby at my house with... [read more]
The pain of economic and emotional trauma
08 December 11 | (1) Comment
Regional relevance: Tanzania
I was born about forty years ago, the first born of four sisters. Like any Tanzanian, I studied in government schools, from pre-school to high school, and later I joined a college. I was among the well-educated educated women of the time, so getting married to an educated man was no problem for me. [read more]
Sold by my own grandmother
07 December 11
Regional relevance: Mauritius
I asked myself many questions as I listened to the story of 18-year-old Rani*, a fragile young lady in her beautiful clean yellow outfit. I could not understand why there was so much sadness on her pale face until I heard her story
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Things fall apart: climate change eroding gender progress?
06 December 11
Regional relevance: Zimbabwe
Climate change at face value may seem to have nothing to do with gender based violence. But there are a few poignant points to think about, especially when considering the Zimbabwean scenario. [read more]
My father is the father of my daughter
05 December 11
Regional relevance: Mauritius
I was only nine years old when my father started having sex with me. I really cannot explain how it all started but there was no violence and he did not force me. I don’t know if I accepted because I was not a virgin. [read more]
Unhappy in my marriage
03 December 11 | (1) Comment
Regional relevance: Southern Africa (SADC)
When I married, I was 20 years old and very much in love. My brothers warned me that he was not a good man, but I though they were jealous of him. As you know, when love is concerned we don’t like to listen to the truth. l stayed in an abusive marriage with him for seven years. [read more]
No time can heal completely
01 December 11
Regional relevance: International
They Say Time Heals – rubbish! Rape - the violation of one’s very humanity - changes who you are and how you see the world forever. [read more]
Facebook insecurities lead to abuse
29 November 11
Regional relevance: Africa
Three months after giving birth to my son, I discovered that we were both HIV positive. My boyfriend, the baby’s father, tried to blame me. At that time, we lived 400kms away from each other. He had already told me that his sexual desires were causing him to go and seek satisfaction outside our relationship, but... [read more]
Thirty Five Years of emotional imprisonment
28 November 11
Regional relevance: Swaziland
I was repeatedly sexually abused at the age of seven by my stepbrother who was around 16 years at that time. My mother would send us to a neighbour’s home and on our way back my step brother would push me into the bush and rape me. Oh my God as I write I remember the exact scenes ....God help me narrate the story... [read more]
Application of laws perpetuate gender-based violence in Malawi
28 November 11
Regional relevance: Malawi
Inconsistent application of laws and the reluctance of courts to hand out maximum sentences seems to be sending a message that gender based violence is not a serious issue to contend with in Malawi. Such actions by the courts undoubtedly contribute to sustaining the problem, as perpetrators think that they can act... [read more]
