by Helen Alexander

In his opening address at the MenEngage Africa Symposium, held in Johannesburg in early October 2009, Mr Mbatsha, Special Advisor for the Department for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities succinctly summarised the importance of engaging men in gender justice: men are perpetrators of violence, men are key transmitters of HIV, and consequently, men can be powerful agents of change. It is this final point which participants at the Symposium rallied around. The delegates, more than half of whom were men, discussed men’s role in gender-based violence and HIV and focussed on looking at ways in which to work with men, change attitudes, present new role models, and mobilise men against gender-based violence and HIV.

By Laura Pascoe and Theo Vuyi

Individually we can choose.  Together we can achieve

The atmosphere spoke of excitement, passion and solidarity.  The speeches offered support and commitment from local organisations and Sonke partners for this exciting new initiative.  Spoken word and personal testimonies shed light on the community’s fears and inspirations, and highlighted the urgent need for engaging in this work.  Music filled the space with hope and laughter, while local dancers from the Spaza group entertained the crowd.

By Patrick Godana

It is with great sadness that I report on our visit to the campsite at De Doorns where a number of foreign nationals are sheltering after the xenophobic attacks which took place in mid November 2009. De Doorns is a small farming area just outside Worcester (approximately 250km outside Cape Town) and it is alleged that local people forcefully chased out the foreign nationals in their area (mostly Zimbabweans) over employment opportunities in the area.

By Tapiwa Manyati & Leo Mbobi

With the quest to continuously engage and work with men on gender transformation programmes and initiatives, Sonke Gender Justice Network embarked on the “Force for Change Fatherhood Project” in the Mhlontlo municipality, a rural community in the Eastern Cape. Two villages, Balasi and Shawbury, were engaged through the outreach activities. The Force for Change Fatherhood Project aims at engaging and working with men with particular focus on children’s rights, particularly orphans and vulnerable children, by identifying and meeting their needs. The project focussed particularly on issues around Gender-Based Violence and HIV and Aids.

by Donald Ambe

“Soccer is exercise and is also fun. When children play soccer they learn discipline and how to get along with others. They may also decide to play other sports and this lead to a more active lifestyle. These are the habits that result in healthier living as the child grows older.”

Sonke Gender Justice Network through the Grassroots Soccer initiative have put the 2010 FIFA World Cup on the blue print as one of the advocacy platforms that can help mobilise, engage and shape young peoples behaviours and attitudes at a tender age on gender based violence, the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS through soccer.  In marking the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, Sonke participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup symposium held on the 18th November 2009 where it also unveiled its strategic plan to engage young people through young coaches from schools and communities in order to interrogate on young people’s sexuality, gender-based violence and possible strategies on how to prevent HIV new infections.

By Vusi Cebekhulu and Helen Alexander

With the support of UNICEF, Sonke and People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) have started working in the Limpopo town of Musina near the Zimbabwe border to address the very high-levels of violence against women and children (especially migrants) in the area. Musina is characterized by a huge number of migrants – particularly vulnerable and mobile populations from Zimbabwe, with approximately 1,800-2,000 Zimbabwean asylum seekers crossing the border legally and illegally each day. Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation at border crossings at the hands of immigration officials, soldiers, police and other criminal gangs which roam these areas.