Articles about Gender Links Opinion And Commentary Service
Southern Africa: Breaking the silence on ritual killings
26 September 11 | (3) Comments
Regional relevance: Southern Africa (SADC)
Ritual killings and human sacrifice happen in many, if not all countries in Africa. Cases have been reported in such countries as Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Zambia, there have been cases whereby people’s heads were found in Asian owned shops whilst in Swaziland, some... [read more]
Southern Africa: We must protect women from cyber violence
16 September 11 | (2) Comments
Regional relevance: Southern Africa (SADC)
There is more to cyber violence than pornography, which seems to be the most talked about form of online violence against women. We need to actively engage women and civil society organisations on these other issues, such as emotional abuse, cyber-stalking and identity theft. The anonymity of the internet provides... [read more]
Southern Africa: The terrifying epidemic of body enhancement junkies
05 September 11 | (7) Comments
Regional relevance: Southern Africa (SADC)
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]
South Africa: Is any month a woman's month?
03 September 11 | (1) Comment
Regional relevance: South Africa
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]
Zambia: Youths don’t want to inherit a depleted Africa
30 August 11 | (1) Comment
Regional relevance: Zambia
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]
South Africa: Sex, drugs and women’s rights
17 August 11 | (2) Comments
Regional relevance: South Africa
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]
South Africa: A humorous perspective on the serious issue of women's rights
08 August 11
Regional relevance: South Africa
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]
Women's Day: Overcoming a different apartheid
08 August 11
Regional relevance: South Africa
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]
South Africa: Sowetan furore casts shadow over Women’s Month
05 August 11
Regional relevance: South Africa
I am confused and disappointed about the public discourse and happenings in this special August month of women. [read more]
Southern Africa: Better education will help fight unsafe abortions
01 August 11 | (4) Comments
Regional relevance: Southern Africa (SADC)
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]
