Issue 9 Articles
Taxis open their doors to OMC
It is widely accepted that taxi drivers and rank marshals in many South African communities - who are mostly men - don’t have the best reputation when it comes to dignified treatment of women. They are, to some, notorious for sexual harassment and engaged in a ‘multiple partner tradition’. However, they are men with whom entire communities interact on a daily basis and their influence on those around them cannot be underestimated.
Sonke welcomes Julius Malema’s apology but ...
In March 2010, the Equality Court found Julius Malema guilty of hate speech and discrimination in a case brought by Sonke and ordered Mr Malema to apologise for statements he had made regarding Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser (2000and rape survivors in general) and pay a R50,000 fine within one month of the verdict. In June 2011, 15 months after the Equality Court issued its verdict, Malema issued an apology and committed to paying the R50,000.
Sonke participates in the 5TH SA AIDS Conference
From 7 – 10 June 2011, Sonke participated in the country’s bi-annual HIV conference, SA AIDS 2011, held in Durban. The conference attracted activists, academics, medical practitioners, human rights lawyers and advocates from South Africa, the region and abroad, all working towards reducing HIV infection and minimising the social, legal and medical consequences of HIV and AIDS.
One Man Can partners with community radio stations and local government
Community radio stations (CRSs) are local radio stations that are run by and serve their communities. For many South Africans, CRSs are vital media for accessing information and news, particularly about their local and surrounding areas. People in rural areas often have no access to local newspapers or are unaware of their existence. It is much easier to source national newspapers and receive national news on TV and national radio stations. CRSs usually air a variety of programmes including entertainment, education and news, and of course, music.
MenEngage Africa Network Regional Organisational Capacity Audit
In June 2011, Sonke published the MenEngage Africa Network Regional Organisational Capacity Audit report. The audit contains findings that will inform future capacity building interventions across the MenEngage Africa Network to promote work with men and boys for gender equality throughout the continent. “This document provides an exciting roadmap to advance the collective work for gender equality in the African region,” states Dean Peacock, Executive Director for Sonke.
Active participation is key in advancing human rights work
Tapiwa Manyati, one of Sonke's young activists, recently visited London to participate in the Active Participation conference hosted by Amnesty International where he shared his experiences about using digital stories as a mechanism for including the actual voices of survivors of human rights abuses in our work, as a means of informing our intiatives, as a powerful advocacy tool, and as a means for achieving personal empowerment.
Meet Sonke’s Activists: An interview with Stubbs Maluleke
Stubbs Maluleke looks sharp and describes himself as a liberated man. In our interview he said, “It takes time for a lot of men to change and understand the resocialisation process that seeks to create gender equality.”
Gender Equality and Health Equity: New Sonke and World Health Organization training module
Sonke’s Policy, Advocacy and Research Unit and the World Health Organization’s Department of Women, Gender and Health recently developed a training module on Engaging Men and Boys in achieving Gender Equality and Health Equity. This is the first ever such module of its kind addressing men and boys on these issues, and forms part of the WHO Gender Mainstreaming for Health Managers: A Practical Approach series.
“Can’t Just Fold Your Arms”: A documentary on Sonke’s work to mobilise men for gender justice
By William Nessen
Can’t Just Fold Your Arms is an inspiring story of moral commitment, a striking portrait of the country today, and a necessary warts-and-all look at the reality of ‘engaging’ men for women’s rights and gender transformation.
Let’s End it Now Launch: Stopping Sexual Violence in Correctional Centres
On Friday, 13 May 2011, the Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative (2000CSPRI), the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (2000CSVR) and the Sonke Gender Justice Network co-sponsored a publication launch and roundtable discussion on the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Violence in Correctional Centres.
Gender and HIV and AIDS – The neglected issues in the local government elections
The local government elections have come and gone. Many promises, pledges and commitments were made. However, very few political parties made clear how they plan to address two major problems in South Africa: gender-based violence (2000GBV) and HIV and AIDS. Parties may argue that these issues need not be focused upon during a municipal election, but are rather topics to be dealt with during a national election. With many relevant services being provided at local level, we would argue however that these are exactly the types of issues that should be addressed at the local level.
When locking them up and throwing the key away is the easy answer... but should not be the only one
After years of deliberation, the Umlazi Regional Court has passed judgement in the Umlazi T section case that caused outrage in the country few years ago. In 2007 Zandile Mpanza was assaulted and made to walk naked in public in Umlazi’s T section for defying a ban on women wearing pants in that area. Thulani Cele has been sentenced to four years in prison under correctional supervision. This means he will have to serve at least eight months before he can be eligible for parole. His younger brother and co-accused Sibusiso Cele has been sentenced to a three-year sentence, suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of similar crimes in that period.
Notices
- Sonke organised a range of activities for World Refugee Day, including a Soccer Festival in Brooklyn, Cape Town during June.
- Sonke has made a number of submissions in relation to law reform, including submissions on the Firearms Control Amendment Bill and the Muslim Marriages Bill.
- Helen Alexander represented Sonke at the UNAIDS Preventing HIV with social media and mobile phones meeting held in Stellenbosch in May.
- Welcome to all of Sonke's new staff: Cherith Sanger, Lucinda Van Den Heever, Londi Gamedze, Dumisani Rebombo, Wessel Van Den Berg and Keith Edwards.
- A warm welcome also to all of Sonke's new Interns and a hearty thanks to those who have left us in the last quarter.
Sonke In the News
- Opportunity to empower youth that is free of HIV,
Sowetan, 7 July 2011 - The negative effects of being a so-called 'real man',
Sowetan, 12 April 2011 - Who will be held accountable?,
Sunday Independent, 28 April 2011 - South African police much too macho,
Mail & Guardian, 3 June 2011 - Lobola is not a cow to be milked,
Pretoria News, 23 April 2011
