In its preamble, the South African Constitution declares its intention to establish "a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights". Even as far back as 1955, the African National Congress, South Africa’s current ruling political party, along with several other political groups, asserted their ideal of a country free of inequality and discrimination between men and women.
Over the years, women’s rights to be free of violence, oppression and discrimination have been emphasized in various legislative frameworks and in international treaties adopted by the South African government such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. These have resulted in gradual but significant advances towards women’s empowerment but to what extent has this been effective 20 years post the 1995 Beijing Declaration?
The Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa office spoke to five leading women’s rights activists on their perceptions of the challenges that women in South Africa face today and whether the Beijing Declaration, and South Africa’s commitment to it, remains relevant to addressing those challenges. The interviews focused on five core themes:
- Violence against Women: Elizabeth Petersen, Director of the gender-based violence focused organization, South African Faith and Family Institute
- Women and Poverty: Paula Assubuji, Human Rights Programme Manager at the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Southern Africa office
- Women and the Media: Crystal Orderson, Journalist and Gender Activist
- Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women: Pregs Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission and former politician
- Women in Power and Decision Making: Patricia Nyman, National Gender Co-ordinator of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union
Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women - Heinrich Böll Stiftung Office Cape Town
Watch on YouTube
Women in Power and Political Decision Making - Heinrich Böll Stiftung Office Cape Town
Watch on YouTube