Sonke Gender Justice extends its condolences to the family of Hillary Gardee, who was found dead in Mpumalanga
Sonke Gender Justice is saddened to learn about the passing of Hillary Gardee, 28, daughter of former EFF secretary-general and lawyer Godrich Gardee, who disappeared four days ago. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Gardee family, the Gardee circle of relatives, and all those who knew Hillary. “Information is still coming in, […]
Sonke Gender Justice congratulates Yolanda Dyantyi on winning her case against Rhodes University
Sonke Gender Justice congratulates Yolanda Dyantyi and Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI-rights) on winning their case against Rhodes University on the expulsion of Ms. Dyantyi from the university. The Supreme Court of Appeal has set aside the guilty judgement by Rhodes University with costs. It has been a long five years for Yolanda […]
Sonke Gender Justice calls for a political settlement to end Ukraine and Russia conflict
Sonke Gender Justice calls for an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and encourages a peaceful settlement between the two countries. Russia launched its invasion on Ukraine on 24 February 2022 following the Russian President, Vladimir Putin announcement of “a special military operation” against Ukraine. The decision was based on the recognition of the […]
Sonke Gender Justice commends the removal of Albert Fritz, the Western Cape Community Safety MEC, from office following allegations of sexual assault
Sonke Gender Justice welcomes Premier Alan Winde’s decision to remove Albert Fritz from his position. This comes after an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, allegedly against young women recruited to work in his office, was completed. We learned earlier this year that Albert Fritz, the Western Cape Community Safety MEC at the time, […]
Sonke Gender Justice launches its #UnderTheBlankets campaign:refugees’ and migrants’ access to sexual health in South Africa
In the run up to Valentine’s Day next week, Sonke Gender Justice is launching a new campaign on migrants’ and refugees’ rights to access sexual and reproductive health services in South Africa. Our #UnderTheBlankets campaign encourages anyone – South African or not – to visit a webpage and read about how they can access government sexual and reproductive health services […]
Sonke calls for the Western Cape Democratic Alliance (DA) to expedite Albert Fritz’ disciplinary process
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) is outraged by the latest allegations that another powerful man and politician is involved in a sexual harassment scandal. Albert Fritz, the Western Cape Community Safety MEC at the time, resigned after employees leveled serious allegations of sexual assault against him. Sexual assault stems from harmful power dynamics, gender stereotypes, norms, and attitudes that […]
Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa to participate in the 21st Edition of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA)
Sonke Gender Justice, in collaboration with MenEngage Africa and Southern Africa AIDS Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS), will host 2 (two) high-level side events at the 21st Edition of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA). This crossbreed (in-person and virtual). The high-level side events will take place on December 07 and […]
MenEngage Africa observes 16 Days of Activism
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10th, Human Rights Day. This is an opportunity for us all to reaffirm our commitment to ending gender-based violence and hold one another accountable. […]
We mourn the loss of our colleague Khopotso Bodibe
It is with much sadness that Sonke communicates the loss of Khopotso Bodibe who passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Khopotso joined Sonke as a Communications Associate in Sonke’s Communications and Strategic Information Unit in 2015. In 2018, he was promoted to RPU – Media & Communications Specialist. Khopotso spent 10 years as a […]
The slow progress in the ratification and implementation of the Maputo Protocol has had negative consequences on woman and girls
Since its adoption in 2003, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, known as the Maputo Protocol, has contributed in shifting the trajectory on the promotion and protection of woman’s rights in Africa. Despite its progressive protections, to date, only 42 countries have signed […]
Government needs to address the structural and socio-economic issues underlying the unrest and make provisions for the implementation of the basic income grant as a matter of urgency
Sonke Gender Justice condemns the latest escalation of violence and indiscriminate looting happening in various parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. According to reports, as of 13 July 2021 the number of fatalities had risen to 72 and police have made 1234 arrests. The myriad of under lying causes reflect deep socio-economic frustrations that have not […]
The eSwatini government’s violent response to peaceful pro-democracy protests poses a threat to the fundamental right to life and infringes on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly enshrined in Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
We are deeply concerned by the senseless police brutality and state-sanctioned violence in eSwatini. The eSwatini government’s violent response to peaceful pro-democracy protests poses a threat to the fundamental right to life and infringes on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly enshrined in Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights […]
Sonke Gender Justice calls on the South African government to unequivocally stand with the people of Palestine and halt all diplomatic ties with Israel
The world is once again witnessing another cycle of violence and destruction of Palestine and its people at the hands of the racist Israeli state and for this reason, Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) is calling on the South African government to unequivocally stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and halt all diplomatic ties […]
LHR and Sonke Gender Justice to Challenge Failure to Re-Open Cape Town Refugee Reception Office
On 12 May 2021, the Western Cape High Court will hear the matter of Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town (“Scalabrini”) v Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) with regard to the DHA’s consistent failure to comply with court orders to reopen the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office (“CTRRO”). Scalabrini seeks to compel the re-opening of the […]
MenCare Advocacy, Media and Campaigning Webinar
Hello! Sonke Gender Justice and Rutgers invite you to a MenCare Advocacy, Media and Campaigning Webinar: With 3 practical cases and a toolkit on how to do it. Date: Thursday, 11 March 2021 Time: 3pm to 4:30pm CAT The webinar is part of the ongoing MenEngage Ubuntu Symposium and will be moderated by Mphokuhle Mabhena–Lunga. Panellists will include […]
Politics of Care Session 3 at the Ubuntu Symposium
The Politics of Care seminar series continues on Thursday 25 February as part of the MenEngage Global Ubuntu Symposium (register here). The seminar series unpacks four phases of an ethic of care, and specifically how men can contribute to the cultivation of a feminist ethic of care. The first session addressed men ‘caring about’ and how men’s ignorance of […]
Men’s involvement & tough action by African leaders needed to stop FGM
Saturday marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) under the theme “No Time for Global Inaction, Unite, Fund, and Act to End Female Genital Mutilation”. FGM is a procedure that partially or totally removes a female’s external genitalia for non-medical reasons, causing irreparable and irreversible harm, as well as life-long […]
Sonke applauds President Joe Biden’s decision to repeal the Global Gag Rule
Sonke Gender Justice welcomes reports stating that the President of the United States, Joe Biden has repealed the “Global Gag Rule” (GGR), officially known as the Mexico City Policy. The Global Gag Rule, reintroduced by Donald Trump in 2017 prohibited U.S. global health assistance from being provided to foreign non-governmental organizations that perform abortion in […]
Sonke Gender Justice mourns the loss of Minister in the Presidency, Mr Jackson Mthembu
Today Sonke Gender Justice pays its respects to a dedicated leader, Minister Jackson Mthembu. Sonke Gender Justice and the sector at large is profoundly saddened by the news of the passing on of a dedicated ally to gender transformation from Covid-19-related complications at 62. Born in Ackerville, Witbank, on June 5, 1958 Minister Mthembu will […]
Sonke Gender Justice calls for accountability of parents in the case of Nthatisi Bembe
Last week, disturbing media reports surfaced about the tragic death of Nthatisi Bembe (12), allegedly at the hands of her parents. This tragic incident is another sad reminder of the precarious position that children find themselves in. This gruesome incident demonstrates the well-known fact that incidents of physical punishment often lead to either severe harm […]
Addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Namibia
MenEngage Namibia, as a national network of organisations working with men and boys to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) – which is part of the global MenEngage Network – is expressing its support and solidarity with recent protests against SGBV in Namibia. We are very concerned about the rising number of SGBV cases, affecting […]
Sonke welcomes the ANC’s decision to suspend former MEC and current ANC Provincial Executive Committee member accused of raping his daughters
On Monday, September 28, 2020 disturbing reports surfaced regarding minors who were raped, allegedly by their own father who currently serves as ANC Mpumalanga PEC member. The accused appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 28, 2020 and the matter was postponed to 1 October for a formal bail application. Sonke notes with […]
KEMEA welcomes advisory by Kenya Chief Justice to dissolve Parliament over non-implementation of two-thirds gender rule
Kenya MenEngage Alliance (KEMEA) supports the Chief Justice of Kenya, David Kenayi Maraga, in his advisory to the country’s president Uhuru Kenyatta, to dissolve Parliament for failure to implement the two-thirds gender rule principle which is enshrined in the Constitution. Article 27(8) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides that the State takes steps to […]
Sonke welcomes the judgment by the Grahamstown High court that has granted Yolanda Dyantyi leave to appeal in her case against Rhodes University.
Ms Dyantyi was expelled from university for life by Rhodes University for her role in a protest against gender-based violence and rape on campus. Her transcripts were marked ‘’Unsatisfactory Conduct: Student found guilty of assault, kidnapping, insubordination and defamation’’. Ms Dyantyi was in her final year and would have been the first person in her […]
