Queer Muslims Find Solace and Solidarity at South Africa Retreat 125 queer Muslim activists and allies from around the world gathered outside Cape Town in October to build a movement encouraging inclusive interpretations of Islam that honor and respect their identities in full. By Brian Pellot
Intimate partner violence: A helpful guide to legal and psychosocial support services Violence against women is a significant problem that profoundly affects the physical and mental wellbeing of those affected. While medicolegal interventions in South Africa have been firmly established to respond to sexual offences, no formal protocols on intimate partner violence interventions at primary healthcare level are in place yet.
System Fails Women Desperate for Safety Domestic violence survivors rely on shelters to help leave life threatening relationships – and navigate the obstacles of the criminal justice system. By Amy Green
On the Air: Supporting State Accountability for Sheltering Services for Abused Women Shelters for abused women play a critical role in providing protection, care and psychosocial support to those affected by Gender-Based Violence. The Domestic Violence Act (1998) enshrines the state’s obligation to provide survivors of abuse with shelters, but whilst the act is a crucial piece of legislation, the provision of sheltering services has not been without its challenges. HBS Project Manager Claudia Lopes recently spoke to SAfm about a new project which aims to support state accountability for adequate and effective provision of domestic violence survivor support programmes, specifically those associated with the provision of shelter for abused women.
Counting the True Costs of Domestic Violence for Youth and Children in South Africa June is notable for having two commemorative days dedicated to younger persons: International Children’s Day1 on the 1 st of June and South Africa’s Youth Day on June 16. Sadly, however, there remains very little for young people in South Africa to celebrate, particularly in the light of excessive levels of violence and sexual abuse directly targeting or negatively impacting young persons. By Claudia Lopes, Chiedza Chagutah and Nokukhanya Mncwabe
News Release: New Initiative Urges Government to Step Up Against Domestic Violence In a new project launching tomorrow (Friday, 20 May) – Enhancing State Responsiveness to Gender-Based Violence: Paying the True Costs – the National Shelter Movement (NSM) of South Africa joins forces with the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) Southern Africa to keep the spotlight squarely focused on domestic violence in South Africa (SA) and how government interventions meet the diverse needs of survivors.
TV Series to Promote Gender Equality Gender-based violence, and in particular violence aimed at women, cost South Africa between R28.4 billion and R42.4bn for the period 2012/2013. This, according to a KPMG report, “Too costly to ignore – the economic impact of gender-based violence in South Africa”, represented 0.9 percent and 1.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), respectively. By Nontando Mposo
Perspectives #02/2015: Bodies, Morals and Politics - Reflections on Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa With this edition of Perspectives, the Heinrich Böll Foundation seeks to unpack some of the underlying tensions and challenges facing the promotion of sexual and reproductive rights on Africa. pdf
Abuse Mural Moves Residents to Art Cape Town - A striking mural in Khayelitsha about the abuse of women has had an unusual effect on residents, who say they want more paintings depicting the problems facing their communities. By Asanda Sokanyile
We Need More Murals on Rape - Makhaza Resident Following the creation in 2013 of a mural about abuse of women, Makhaza residents have suggested other murals should be built focusing on rape. By Pharie Sefali
