South Africa’s Human Rights Day is an achievement worthy of celebration
South Africa celebrates thirty years of its democratic project. This is an achievement worthy of celebrating as we acknowledge the sacrifices made by many luminary leaders who lead the country out of its Egypt experience. On this day we salute the likes of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela Mandela, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Griffiths and Victoria […]
AUDA-NEPAD and Sonke commemorate International Women’s Day
As the world marks International Women’s Day on March 8th, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) and Sonke Gender Justice have partnered to promote women’s empowerment across the continent. Underscoring their commitment to drive gender equality at the local level, AUDA-NEPAD and Sonke Gender Justice visited the Masiphephe Network in Diepkloof, Soweto. Under the theme […]
MenEngage Africa Alliance and Sonke Gender Justice commemorates International Women’s Day
MenEngage Africa Alliance (MEA) and Sonke Gender Justice joins the world and the Africa region in commemorating International Women’s Day under the theme Invest in women: Accelerate progress. MEA and Sonke steps forward in solidarity, support, and commitment to work for gender equality by 2030 and the advancement of women and girls in all spheres […]
Sonke Gender Justice suspends a staff member on allegations of sexual assault
Sonke has noted allegations of one of its staff members who is alleged to have committed a sexual offence against a young woman in the Western Cape. Sonke Gender Justice views this matter in a serious light and has suspended the staff member with immediate effect while it investigates and will ensure that the individual […]
Sonke’s 16 days of accountability theme urges duty bearers to ensure justice is served to all survivors of gender based violence
With the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in full swing, this year Sonke marks the campaign under the theme ‘’16 Days of Accountability’’, calling on communities, government, faith and traditional leaders to unite in the fight against the scourge of violence globally. Sonke believes all perpetrators of violence must see […]
Sonke urges the South African government to deal with the scourge of violence
As the globe prepares to mark the 16 days of activism against Gender-based violence this month end, South Africa continues to grapple with the alarming rate of violence. In a recent incident, which went viral on social media, a Cape Peninsula University of Technology student was reportedly stabbed by a man believed to be her […]
Sonke welcomes the landmark ruling by Johannesburg High Court on parental leave
The Johannesburg High Court has handed down a judgement that will now see South African fathers enjoy up to four months of parental leave and associated Unemployment Insurance Fund benefits. The matter was brought to court by a Polokwane couple, Werner and Ika van Wyk, with Sonke Gender Justice and the Commission for Gender Equality among other organisations appearing […]
Sonke condemns the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict
As the tension between Israel and Hamas rages on, at the centre of it is the plight of women and girls. Thousands of civilians have been killed since the beginning of the war, while many are left destitute. Sonke believes the United Nations must take a lead in resolving this conflict. ‘’This conflict can never be resolved […]
Alleged sexual abuse cases of SANDF members on peacekeeping mission in the DRC is appalling
Sonke Gender Justice is outraged to learn that the South African National Defence Force soldiers on the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo are involved in a scandal of alleged sexual abuse cases. The eight implicated soldiers have been recalled to South Africa as investigations take place. This is not the first […]
Sonke calls for accountability and adequate compensation for Tandiswa Tokwe
A former domestic worker of South Africa’s ambassador to Japan, Smuts Ngonyama has come forward with allegations of abuse by the ambassador’s wife and former director of the Department of Social Development Nokwazi Ngonyama. The alleged abuse against Tandiswa Tokwe took place while she was working at the ambassador’s diplomatic residence in Tokyo and the […]
SASSA grants payment delays unacceptable
Sonke calls out the Social Development department for incompetence and delays in payment of social grants to the vulnerable. Thousands of South African Social Security Agency grant beneficiaries were left stranded at automated teller machines last week after not receiving their pay outs due to technical glitches caused by the Postbank. While the bank is responsible […]
The conviction of an Mpumalanga rapist pastor a step in the right direction
Sonke Gender Justice welcomes the stiff judgment of an Mpumalanga pastor, John Masilela who sexually abused teenage boys from his congregation for nearly eight years. The conviction of a 55 year sentence on four counts of rape and seven counts of sexual assault, serves as a testament that no one is above the law, and […]
Sonke to interrogate the linkages between climate change and Gender Based Violence
To wrap up Women’s month, Sonke Gender Justice will host a series of events to explore the gendered impact of climate change and its effects on gender based violence. Women’s month is an opportunity to gauge how far South Africa has come in addressing gender inequality and other forms of social injustices that continue to […]
Its time to recognize South African women sports teams’ contribution to social cohesion
07 August 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice applauds South African Women sports teams for exceptional performances respectively, in various tournaments. Although Banyana Banyana’s journey on the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament ended after their loss to the Netherlands, the team made history last week when they became the first ever South African national football team […]
All Roads lead to Rwanda for the 3rd MenEngage Africa Symposium
MenEngage Africa, in collaboration with Sonke Gender Justice, MenEngage Rwanda, and Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre-RWAMREC, are organising the third MenEngage Africa Symposium scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from the 14th to 16th of August 2023, under the theme; “Accountability and Transformation through Gender-Equitable Evidence-Based Programming”. This event will bring together MenEngage Africa members […]
Sonke Gender Justice welcomes the Castor Semenya European Court of Human Rights ruling
13 July 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice applauds the European Court of Human Rights for ruling in favour of double Olympic champion Caster Semenya in a verdict, that she was discriminated against by the World Athletics rules, that forced her to medically reduce her natural hormone levels to compete in major competitions. Semenya has a […]
Sonke Gender Justice demands accountability for law enforcement officials’ brutality towards civilians
Johannesburg, 04 July 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice is gravely concerned by the rampant use and abuse of guns by South African law enforcement officials. This follows the surfacing of a video of the South African Police Service’s VIP Protection Unit assaulting motorists while brandishing guns on a Johannesburg highway. In another recent incident, a […]
Rape-accused ANC councilor earning a salary while imprisoned is unacceptable
30 June 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice is outraged to learn that rape accused ANC councillor Tebogo Sepale continues to earn a salary as a ward councillor in the Matlosana local municipality while imprisoned. Sepale faces 11 provisional charges, two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child’s consent, one for manufacturing pornographic […]
Sonke Gender Justice welcomes the conviction of footballer Thembinkosi Lorch
09 June 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice welcomes the judgement against Orlando Pirates soccer star Thembinkosi Lorch, who has been found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend Fundiswa Mathithibala in 2020, by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg. In January 2021 the assault case against the football player was provisionally withdrawn by the magistrate’s court, as […]
The increase in murder cases of women and children in South Africa alarming
02 June 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice is concerned about the reported increase in murder cases of women and children in South Africa, as Police Minister Bheki Cele released the statistics for crimes recorded between January and March 2023 earlier this week. More than nine hundred women are reported to have been killed, while just […]
Sonke Gender Justice welcomes the conviction of Gerhard Ackerman
Johannesburg, 28 April 2023 – Sonke welcomes the conviction of child sex abuse ring kingpin Gerhard Ackerman for the crimes he committed. The Gauteng High Court found Ackerman guilty of multiple charges linked to a child sex abuse ring that he masterminded. Ackerman targeted vulnerable teenage boys between the ages of 14 and 16, recruiting […]
A call for the African Union Commission to urgently intervene in Sudan conflict
Johannesburg, 26 April 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice is deeply saddened by the current political conflict in Sudan. Fighting between the country’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted early this month in North Darfur, following months of tensions over a power-sharing deal, amid an attempted transition to democracy after a military […]
Sonke Gender Justice laments South Africa’s failing justice system
Johannesburg, 14 April 2023 – Sonke Gender Justice condemns what it calls a woeful South African justice system. This comes as charges against the four men accused of killing Hillary Gardee have been provisionally withdrawn due to the unavailability of state witnesses. Gardee, who is the daughter of former EFF secretary-general Godrich Gardee, was found […]
Gender-based violence is a pervasive problem that continues to plague our society
On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, South Africa observed Human Rights Day. Human Rights Day is an affirmation by ordinary people, who rise in unison to proclaim their rights while also drawing attention to issues that South Africans continue to face which undermine these rights. Unfortunately, South Africa has a long history of violence against women, […]
