Welcome to Sonke’s third edition of the 2024 quarterly newsletter! This is yet another instalment to share with you our latest organisation developments, in our course to advance gender transformation. Read about the outcomes of the recent SRHR symposium, the impact of the Gender Transformative Approaches methodology on partner organisations as well as Zimbabwe’s latest State of the Father’s report.
Sonke News & Views
A story of hope for the LGBTQI+ in Semonkong, Lesotho
‘’I stand firm and put my child first, this is not an ailment that can be cured, the LGBTQI+ community needs our support’’ this is according to one of the participants of the USAID Khutlo consultative dialogue. The gathering, which engaged faith and traditional leaders in Semonkong, Lesotho, focused on sensitising participants on the impact of violence against the LGBTQI+ community.
Feminist and Human Rights approach to achieve gender equality
The Inkanyezi Project activities are ongoing in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape provinces. We recap on some of the interventions in Mpumalanga, one of which includes our participation at the Bushbuckridge HIV Prevention Summit. Sonke presented on the intersection of HIV/AIDS and Gender Based Violence and Femicide, proposing strategies to reduce its prevalence and HIV transmission.
Sonke monitors GTA programming on partner organisations
Civil society organisations in East and Southern Africa have welcomed Sonke’s technical support on mainstreaming the Gender Transformative Approaches methodology in their respective programming on child rights and parenting. This is an outcome of the recent SIDA CSO Strengthening monitoring and evaluation visits by Sonke to partner organisations.
Women’s month commemorative events
As South Africa commemorated Women’s month in August, the Community Education and Mobilisation unit led capacity strengthening workshops for community-based organisations in Johannesburg, on advocacy methods for the implementation and localisation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. The sessions were also an opportunity to share best practices for feminist support systems for victims of GBV.
International AIDS Conference
MenEngage Africa and Power to Youth participated at the International AIDS Society conference which took place in Munich, Germany in July. The meeting exhibited scientific advancements and gathered industry experts to deliberate on latest developments and political will for effective HIV response through people centred approaches. Power To Youth Uganda and MenEngage Africa hosted sessions on gender positive interventions for HIV prevention for youth and impact of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act on access to health services by LGBTQI+ communities respectively.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Symposium
The MenEngage Africa Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Learning and Exchange Symposium in Nairobi, Kenya in August, rallied over two hundred participants to discuss SRHR for all. The symposium spotlighted initiatives promoting SRHR among young people, men, and boys in Africa, including community-based interventions and advocacy campaigns.
MenEngage Africa Training Institute on Gender, Peace and Security
Twenty-five fellows from West, Central, East and Southern Africa now have a shared understanding on international instruments and frameworks related to gender, peace and security. This is after they participated in the 8th MenEngage Africa Training Institute, MATI on Gender, Peace and Security which took place in Kenya in August. Sonke organised the fellowship in partnership with Women International League for Peace and Freedom.
Donor's Corner
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Gen G Project
In this edition, we extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherland’s support and donation, which contributes towards our efforts to promote gender transformative approaches in our programming and prevent gender-based violence. Sonke has for over a decade worked with the Ministry on various initiatives, which later fully fledged into the Generation Gender programme.
Recommended Resources
Gender analysis report – ADA
State of the Zimbabwe’s Fathers Report
Regional policy analysis of sexual and reproductive health and rights framework in Africa
Contributors List: Editor – Kgomotso Mophulane, Writers – Eucharia Nkengafack, Amukelani Chauke, Makhetha Moshabesha, Mariley Liebenberg and Thembelihle Madi.
Design & Layout – ThinkTeam
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