Sonke Gender Justice

News Category: Sonke News

  • Reclaiming our narratives: Reproductive justice through an Afrocentric lens

    Reclaiming our narratives: Reproductive justice through an Afrocentric lens

    From March 24th to 29th, 2025, Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa, under the SRHR4All project, successfully hosted the Reproductive Justice: Capacity Enhancement Programme to advance sexual and reproductive health rights and gender equality gender equality from an Afrocentric lens in Kampala, Uganda. This transformative five-day training programme was designed to empower young advocates with the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies to advance human rights, and SRHR through a reproductive justice reproductive justice framework rooted in Afrocentric principles. The training brought together SRHR4All partners from Malawi, Ethiopia and Uganda.

    “The journey towards true reproductive justice in Africa necessitates a profound understanding of our unique historical, cultural, and legal landscapes. This is the very foundation upon which the transformative five-day training  programme, reproductive justice from an Afrocentric perspective, is built,” says Sonke’s SRHR Specialist, Jude Thaddius Njikem.

    Throughout the training, participants explored legal and cultural systems that influence reproductive justice in Africa. They gained the tools to think critically about laws and policies and to actively shape them. The workshop focused on key concepts, landmark theories, and proven legal strategies that respond directly to the realities African countries face today.

    Justice  complex, it’s not only found in courtrooms. That’s why participants were trained in both formal and informal approaches to creating change. They  learnt how to use strategic litigation to promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence, and challenge laws and policies that hold communities back. This training also looked at how to ensure legal wins lead to real change in people’s lives.

    “The significant shift is  recognising that reproductive justice is a human rights  issue, one that demands a holistic, intersectional approach that considers the social, economic, and cultural realities shaping people’s lives. I plan to actively engage African communities, not just as beneficiaries, but as co-creators of solutions to reproductive health and gender equality challenges”, said Masika Christine, Project assistant, United for Children’s Inter-Development Action Uganda (UNCIDA) Uganda.

    The workshop created space to explore new and culturally grounded ways of advocating reproductive justice. It  emphasised the many forces that shape gender roles and relationships—like traditions, laws, government, civil society, the media, and families. True change means understanding how all these elements are connected. It also means addressing the bigger economic, political, and social pressures that impact people every day.

    Participants were introduced to a holistic approach to tackling gender-based violence and SRHR, one that centers African perspectives. A key part of this work is engaging men as active allies and partners, not just as observers in building a more just and equal society.

    Importantly, the training also empowered communities to hold leaders accountable. “When we talk about accountability, we must begin by asking: who holds power, and who is most impacted by their decisions? True justice starts with empowering communities, youth, religious leaders, community leaders, and others with the knowledge of their rights and the tools to act. By educating and equipping them, we create the foundation for communities to hold duty-bearers accountable and drive meaningful, lasting change.”, concludes, Biruktawit Taye, Program Manager at Tamra for Social Development Organization.

    By the end of the five-day programme, participants had the skills to build strong networks, lead bold advocacy campaigns, and champion reproductive justice that uplifts gender equality, SRHR, and human rights across Africa.

  • Introducing the GenG Engage App: Empowering communities with a zero-rated app to end Gender based violence. 

    Introducing the GenG Engage App: Empowering communities with a zero-rated app to end Gender based violence. 

    Now available on iOS and Android, the GenG Engage App is here to empower communities to combat Gender based violence.  

    In a bold and groundbreaking step towards ending gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa, the Generation Gender programme, also known as GenG, officially launched a pioneering mobile application on 4th April 2025, designed to empower individuals, connect survivors to critical services, and strengthen the national response to GBVF. The Generation G South African Coalition comprises three partner organisations, namely, Sonke Gender Justice, ACTIVATE! Change Drivers, and Action Aid South Africa 

    The launch, which took place in Rosebank, Johannesburg, brought together young activists, civil society organisations, gender justice advocates, and others to witness a transformative moment in the efforts to create 

    Human-Centered Digital Tool for Justice 

    The newly launched GenG Engage is more than just an app, but it is a platform informed by the lived experiences of survivors of gender-based violence and that of young people. This app was developed through a human-centered design approach, which means it was done through a participatory process with youth and community members. At the predevelopment phase, the Generation Gender team consulted with young people from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape to help guide the process and make sure that the diverse voices are incorporated into the app.

    The app provides access to resources such as the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide, including a case monitoring platform and additional educational resources aimed at prevention and awareness. The Access to Information component provides users with a repository of information and education materials such as policies, position papers, reports, guidelines, and toolkits, among other resources. 

    The Gen G Engage component is an interactive community forum where users can engage in discussions, contribute to polls, and stay updated on trending topics. The platform will enhance collaboration between partners and communities in different parts of South Africa. 

    “The GenG Engage app is for community benefit and upliftment. The more community-based organisations use this app, the more we shall be able to track service delivery on issues of GBV. It is a means to hold duty bearers accountable. In addition, the platform creates an easy way for youth to engage with one another and plan events not necessarily linked to GBV but having an impact on the communities they come from.” Sonke Gender Justice’s Policy Development and Advocacy Specialist, Namuma Mulindi. 

    South Africa has a high level of underreporting when it comes to GBVF cases. This is due to systematic challenges, including a lack of response by the police to assist survivors of GBVF and a lack of collaboration between various sectors of government departments that should be working together to assist survivors and secondary victims. Despite the existing GBVF legislation in the country, state actors have been slow and apathetic in addressing GBVF. Moreover, there is a lack of awareness of available services by community members, activists, and civil society organisations. 

     South Africa’s recent crime statistics revealed that crimes against women and children had skyrocketed to 961 murders and 1,661 attempted murders reported. Additionally, 11,803 rape cases were reported countrywide. It is evident that addressing GBVF demands a multi-layered approach. 

    Currently, gender advocates, activists, or human rights defenders receive a lot of requests for support on GBV cases, and often the assistance required relates to bottlenecks in the criminal justice system. Often activists providing support to survivors have followed due process in opening cases, but these cases stall at the South African Police Services, in court, or are withdrawn altogether with a lack of sufficient explanation or justification. While activists and survivors often understand the full story behind the cases they bring forward, they may not always have the specific details needed to offer effective support or to hold state actors within the criminal justice system accountable. 

     The Case Monitoring tool on the app will enable those using it to collect details that keep track of the SAPS case number, the court in which the matter is being heard, the number of postponements, and the reasons given for the postponements. The app will also enable us to track the efficiency of the Thuthuzela Care Centres 

    “The reports will help us showcase the challenges of trying to access justice. The Gen G Engage app will be a digital community platform for collaboration, support and mobilization in the promotion of gender justice”, Sakhile Zungu, Programme Manager at ActionAid South Africa. 

    The app will allow activists to host webinars and roundtable discussions that are accessible to all and post conversations that are live. Access to information, a resources tab, and education materials such as guidelines on how to report cases, GBVF policy position papers, policy submissions, and toolkits on youth participation within communities and structures of power. 

    Looking Forward 

    As GBVF continues to devastate communities across South Africa, digital innovations like the GenG Engage App offer opportunities to close the gaps in response and prevention. The launch marks a pivotal moment in the journey to ending gender-based violence, not just through policy but through a human-centred approach and using technology that serves justice. 

    “South Africa’s youth represent largely untapped potential to address pressing social challenges facing us today, including the challenge of gender-based violence and femicide. Social media platforms are increasingly becoming important tools in amplifying the voice of young people in responding to the challenge of GBVF as they can empower them to share information and resources and raise awareness about issues they are faced with,” Rammolotsi Sothoane, Special Projects Manager at ACTIVATE! Change Drivers 

    Generation Gender South Africa calls on all stakeholders—youth, government, civil society, and the private sector—to join in promoting the app, supporting its continuous development, and ensuring that every survivor, in every corner of the country, has access to safety, support, and dignity. 

    Download the GenG Engage App today— on your Play or App Store— and be part of the movement for gender justice. 

    Generation Gender is a global consortium of organisations working in seven (7) countries, namely, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, Rwanda, Uganda, Indonesia, and South Africa, in creating a gender-just & violence-free society for and with young people in their full diversity. The Generation G South African Coalition comprises three partner organisations, namely, Sonke Gender Justice, ACTIVATE! Change Drivers, and Action Aid South Africa, who are responsible for advancing the aims of the Generation G Programme in South Africa. 

  • CSW69 adopts Political Declaration

    CSW69 adopts Political Declaration

    The 69th Commission on the Status of Women opened with the adoption of a political declaration where countries reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate action to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. This year, the gathering aimed to review the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

    Opening the CSW at the United Nations headquarters, Secretary-General  António Guterres, reflected on the thirty years since countries convened in Beijing to adopt the Declaration and Platform for Action. He said three decades on, the promise made on the framework feels more distant than we might ever have imagined.  

    ‘’Of course, we always knew that would never happen overnight, or even over years, but today  women’s rights are under siege. Now is the time for those of us who care about equality for women and girls to stand up and to speak out, now is the time for the world to accelerate progress and deliver on the promise of Beijing’’ said Guterres.

    ‘’In the past thirty years, the world has moved forward in boosting girls’ education, cutting maternal mortality, increasing legal protections, and more, but immense gaps persist. Violence, discrimination, and economic inequality are still rife, the gender pay gap still stands at twenty percent and globally, almost one in three women have been subject to violence.  In many countries, women and girls are still denied the most basic of rights’’ he added.

    Throughout the two weeks, the commission hosted various dialogues on various topics ranging from environmental justice, gender-based violence to inclusive development among others, against the backdrop of the theme of reviewing the Beijing framework.

    Sonke co-hosted side events as follows:

    Men and boys as agents of change to feminism and tackling barriers to solidarity

    This session, which was  co-organised with MenEngage Alliance, Governments of Rwanda and Sweden, RWAMREC, Equimundo and other organisations, was to explore lessons of the work with men and boys and on transforming masculinities, for the last two decades, and it’s impacts at practice, programs and policy levels towards the realisation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and gender, social and environmental justice more broadly. The event in which Policy Development and Advocacy Manager Mpiwa Mangwiro-Tsanga was a panellist,  also laid out practical actions to foster a culture of positive masculinities and men’s engagement as feminist allies in advancing gender equality, ensuring that work is transformative and prioritizes structural and systemic change.

    Transforming care: progress, challenges and future directions in men’s involvement in care work.

    Sonke collaborated with Equimundo, RWAMREC and Mencare among other partners, to discuss the progress, challenges, and opportunities in reshaping care policies and practices to promote gender equality, with an emphasis on the role of men in caregiving.

    Sonke’s Co-Executive Director Bafana Khumalo presented on the Transforming care work: African regional perspective on caregiving, discrimination and success in shifting caregiving norms. He noted that caregiving discrimination and successes in shifting caregiving norms vary across African regions.

     ‘’ We see that East Africa has made significant progress through policy reforms and community-based programs, West Africa on the other hand has opportunities to promote men’s involvement in care work through initiatives targeting patriarchal norms and power dynamics, while Southern Africa has made progress, but further efforts are needed to address socio-economic factors perpetuating caregiving discrimination’’ he said. The meeting also called on policymakers, practitioners, and communities to advocate for policy reforms and advancements supporting men’s involvement in care work.

    Beijing 30+: Gains, losses, what next?

    In partneship with MenEngage Africa, UN Women , Frontline AIDS, Y+ Global  and Rutgers, we brought together veteran gender justice advocates and today’s young leaders to reflect on the progress made since the 1995 Beijing  Conference, to examine emerging challenges and chart a way forward for gender equality in Africa and beyond.

    ‘’The intergenerational dialogue drew parallels between preceding and current generations’ struggles to foster solidarity and encourage cross-generational collaboration’’ said Thembelihle Ntandane, Senior Trainer and a moderator for the session. ‘’ We also reflected on the new forms of gender-based discrimination and GBV that have emerged over the past 30 years and in terms of current anti-right and anti-climate justice movements, such as digital harassment, climate-related challenges, and how conflict has affected the gains, while emphasizing intergenerational exchange between veteran advocates and today’s young leaders’’ she adds.

    Experts say to achieve women’s rights and gender equality there’s a need to dismantle the unequal patriarchal power structures that are at the root of gender inequality.

    As we move forward, the UN Secretary-General  António Guterres’s key recommendation on how to accelerate progress in the next coming years include:

    • Boosting sustainable finance for sustainable development – to deliver sustainable funding for women’s equality. 
    • Investments in economic empowerment including adequate pay and pensions for care givers – the majority of whom are women.
    •  Investments to eradicate all forms of violence and harassment – the United Nations’ Spotlight Initiative can be refenced to indicate the impact
    • Step-up support for women’s organizations, as they play a vital role in accountability
    • Action on technology, to address and eliminate all forms of violence using digital technologies… 
    •  Women leading in business: temporary special measures, such as quotas, targeted appointments, and parity goals must help and countries and companies should use them. 

    The two weeks forum underscored the global commitment to advancing gender equality and addressing the multifaceted challenges women and girls face worldwide. Its 70th edition is expected to take place under a new theme in March next year.

  • Inkanyezi Project: Strengthening community engagement and response 

    Inkanyezi Project: Strengthening community engagement and response 

    The Inkanyezi project team in Mpumalanga hosted a series of forums in the first quarter of the year, aimed at addressing the concerns and challenges faced by communities affected by displacement and other social issues. Bringing together local community leaders, government representatives and other stakeholders, these discussions served as a platform for fostering collaboration and identifying possible solutions. 

    The engagements were centered on raising awareness about Intergrated Development Plan processes, ensuring women’s participation in local governance, accountability for gender-based violence cases, strengthening partnerships, and understanding challenges faced by communities.  

    ‘’ the workshops create an open dialogue between stakeholders and develop practical strategies for addressing the challenges faced by internally displaced persons. The discussions underscore the importance of community involvement, enhanced coordination among organizations, and policy-level reforms to ensure lasting impact’’ said Nomalanga Ngwenya, Inkanyezi Project Manager. 

    The Inkanyezi project facilitated sessions in regions experiencing a growing number of displaced persons, where the project team has been actively involved in providing support and facilitating discussions. These are communities that require urgent interventions to ensure the well-being of affected populations and promote long-term stability.  

    An over-arching sentiment from these sessions has been the need for sustained engagements, immediate action to tackle pressing issues as well as considerations of recommendations made by community forums by duty bearers, to contribute to meaningful change. 

    Other key recommendations include these: 

    • Strengthening policy frameworks to better support IDPs. 
    • Increasing funding for local initiatives addressing displacement challenges. 
    • Enhancing security measures to protect vulnerable groups. 

    With continued commitment and cooperation, there is hope for building resilient, self-sustaining communities despite ongoing challenges.  The Inkanyezi project, which seeks to promote women’s leaders and human rights remains dedicated to championing community-driven solutions and ensuring that the voices of affected populations remain central to all interventions. 

  • Donor Corner: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Power to Youth Programme

    Donor Corner: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Power to Youth Programme

    Sonke Gender Justice extends heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for its vital support of the Power to Youth programme. This strategic partnership, delivered in collaboration with Amref Flying Doctors and Rutgers, aims to amplify the voices and agency of adolescent girls and young women, AGYW across Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, and Uganda. 

    Launched in 2021 under the Ministry’s Strengthening Civil Society framework, PtY addresses harmful practices, sexual and gender-based violence, and unintended pregnancies, while promoting youth-led governance, expanded civic space, and gender-transformative approaches. Over its five-year course, the programme has centred the lived realities of AGYW in shaping lasting change.

    Sonke has played a leading role in implementing PtY in Malawi and Uganda, contributing technical assistance, supporting innovation through human-centred design and strengthening advocacy efforts at community and national levels. With funding exceeding 3 million Euros between 2021 and 2023, Sonke has facilitated impactful grassroots programming, cross-country learning, and evidence generation.  Central to PtY is a commitment to Southern leadership and meaningful youth participation. In each programme country, Country Management Teams, co-led by youth and adult organisations, oversee design, implementation and learning. This model ensures that young people are active decision-makers, not just participants. Sonke’s support has enabled youth-led organisations to engage in co-creation, influence policy, and lead transformative campaigns in their communities.

    The PtY programme is reshaping what youth engagement means. In 2023, Sonke helped drive innovation by piloting digital tools, supporting national advocacy, and contributing to mid-term reviews and operational research. These efforts have reinforced youth leadership, increased institutional accountability, and catalysed community-level shifts in social norms. AGYW and male allies alike have been mobilised to challenge harmful practices and promote gender equality, while policymakers have been engaged to reflect youth voices in legislative and policy reform.

    As PtY enters its final phase, Sonke and its partners remain committed to scaling innovation, deepening impact, and sustaining change. The legacy of the programme lies in its dedication to equity, inclusive governance, and transformative youth leadership.

    We thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for their bold investment in this movement. Together, through Power to You(th), we are creating a future where young women thrive, lead, and help shape just, inclusive societies.

  • Youth Voices at Africa Health Agenda International Conference 2025

    Youth Voices at Africa Health Agenda International Conference 2025

    Young leaders of the Power To Youth program were part of insightful conversations and knowledge sharing at the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) held in Kigali, Rwanda, from the 2nd to 5th of March 2025 under the theme Connected for Change: Addressing the Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Health. The AHAIC was an opportunity to revitalize and bring innovative ideas on transforming health. It also sought to rewrite the health narrative while proposing holistic solutions to health challenges in Africa.

    PowerToYouth Malawi Presenting at AHAIC

    Given that the PTY program exists to empower young people, make them heard and seen, youth advocates from Malawi engaged during this conference by bringing in their perspectives and sharing their hopes of what they want to see for health transformation in Africa.

    As Martha Moyo, Advocacy Officer at Amref Malawi joined the AHAIC, she was keen on engaging with stakeholders through her perspective centered on gender equality and legal harmonization to protect the rights of adolescent girls and young women from harmful cultural practices. In her capacity of an Advocacy Officer, her aspiration was to take part in discourses informing policy change and policy shift.

    ”I hope that the engagements from AHAIC 2025 will amplify youth voices, inspire policy changes, increase youth participation in decision making processes and secure more funding for programs that empower adolescents, women, and youth. It should also focus on strengthening health systems to address sexual and reproductive health -SRHR barriers and promoting inclusive youth participation” said Moyo.

    While the youth has worked directly in communities, their lived experiences in advocating for Sexual and Reproductive Health issues were critical in shaping the discussions at AHAIC. Weston Mfunya is a youth leader and Programs officer at Youth Wave Malawi and has worked in communities over the years. He focused on bringing his field experience to inform the discussions held on improving and setting a health agenda that serves and addresses communities’ realities.

    ”As a youth leader attending AHAIC, I bring a unique perspective shaped by my experiences working with young people in our communities in the following areas:

    1) Leading interventions that amplify youth voices in health policy and decision-making processes.

    2)Developing and implementing youth-centred health programs, focusing on education, economic empowerment, and social determinants of health.

    3) Working with governments, international partners, and civil society organisations to strengthen health systems, improve healthcare access, and enhance health outcomes.

    4) Advocating for increased investment in health systems, particularly focusing on marginalized communities.

    Through this conference I will ensure that young people’s perspectives, concerns, and ideas are integrated into the conference discussions and outcomes. I will encourage dialogue and partnerships between youth leaders, experts, and policymakers to drive collective action and innovative solutions. I also hope to push for greater investment in health systems, particularly interventions focusing on rural populations,’ shared Mfunya.

    Discussing access to health was also an important aspect that youth hoped to raise during the AHIAC. This is because attaining health coverage across the African continent is not feasible without looking into issues that prevent women, girls, and youth from being able to access sexual and reproductive health rights services in communities. ”Most services in African communities are not youth-friendly enough to offer appropriate services” This is according to Chimwemwe Kayange, programs officer at Power To Youth Malawi ,who focused on advocating for health equity.

    ”As a programs officer and a young SRHR advocate from Malawi, I bring a perspective that is rooted in ensuring equitable access to reproductive healthcare, education, and services for all youth. At AHAIC, I hope to dive into discussions that empower young people, especially women and girls, to make informed decisions about their bodies and health. I envision using this platform in advocating for the importance of adequate funding for SRHR while also conducting domestic polling on SRHR financing. This will ensure that young people have the resources and support necessary to lead healthier lives” Kayange said.

    Evidence-based conversations and agenda-setting, a hallmark for making informed decisions and choices, were critical areas for Chimwemwe Chisale, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education (CYECE). Evidence generation is important for health outcomes and decisions because it guides fact-based discussions and translates to successful advocacy.

    ”With a strong background in research, I bring a unique perspective to the AHAIC conference by emphasizing the importance of evidence-based decision-making in implementing SRHR policies and improving service delivery. My work with youth-focused programs, such as Power to Youth, has provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities young people face in accessing health services.” Chisale.

    During the conference, Chisale presented the groundwork in Malawi and how the central operations research was critical in identifying and addressing health challenges faced by adolescent girls and young women.

    ”I presented findings from operational research on social accountability monitoring, which highlight the critical role of young people in ensuring transparency and accountability in SRHR service delivery. These findings provide actionable recommendations for enhancing youth engagement in policy implementation and fostering greater collaboration between young people and stakeholders to improve health outcomes.” He adds.

    Chisale Presenting findings from operational research on social accountability monitoring at AHAIC

    Based on his passion for research, Chisale aspirations were to, through his experience, advocate for transformative health systems and linking and learning opportunities among participants.

    ”Through engagements at this conference, I hope to inspire transformative approaches in addressing health challenges faced by young people, particularly in SRHR. Sharing best practices, innovative solutions, and lessons from programs like social accountability monitoring will empower young people to actively participate in health programs and policy processes.”Chisale emphasizes.

    The Youth are not just passive recipients and beneficiaries of change but the main actors ,given that they form the majority of Africa’s population. Chisale wants to see young people at the centre and at all levels meaningfully engaged in all processes for setting the health agenda.

    ”I envision a future where young people are not just beneficiaries but also key drivers of innovations in addressing health challenges. By equipping them with the tools and knowledge to advocate for their needs, I believe this conference will pave the way for youth-led initiatives that prioritize inclusivity, accountability, and sustainable change in health service delivery.” said Chisale.

    Youth participation at the AHIAC 2025 was not only a chance to hear their voices but also to know what they are doing and how they are influencing change in their communities. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage and involve youths in shaping the health narrative, rewriting wrong stories, and setting an agenda from a social and ecological perspective while finding solutions to systemic barriers and unequal power structures that deprioritize African health on the global stage.

    By Nkengafack Eucharia

  • Sonke Gender Justice and Concern Worldwide Partnership Review Meeting

    Sonke Gender Justice and Concern Worldwide Partnership Review Meeting

    Sonke Gender Justice and Concern Worldwide have been partnering since 2017 to strengthen working with men and women for gender transformation within their programs. The project is implemented in Liberia, Burkina Faso, Haiti, and Bangladesh among others. It aims to transform attitudes of the Concern Worldwide staff and strengthen their capacity in promoting gender equality and engage them in innovative ways to implement gender transformative programs thus improving sectoral and gender for the organisation. This partnership also helps in retaining training skills in each country for a period of three years, providing more depth and exposure to the approach.

    Against the backdrop of this partnership, the two organisations held a review and planning meeting in Dublin, Ireland in August 2024 to clarify the scope of work, reflect on the goal of the partnership by reviewing progress and proposing solutions to identified challenges, as well as planning for the next phase of the project. Of the countries that this project is implemented in, twelve country visits have been completed, with Syria added to the initial list.

    During this meeting, the two partners discussed various programs, including advocacy networks, Sexual and Reproductive Health, LGBTQIA+, MenEngage, Women Peace and Security, research, and innovation for gender transformation. This was an opportunity to present the Concern and Sonke partnership to other humanitarian Nongovernmental Organisations in Dublin. The meeting focused on women’s leadership, access to justice, budget and investment, and intersectionality, particularly gender-disability intersectionality.

    Review of progress and scope of work

    This session aimed to monitor the quality of the relationship and identify areas for improvement. Both teams participated on a “Looking back / looking forward “activity, to identify the evolution of the partnership and its future direction. Key questions included whether the partnership has been a true, principled, mutually beneficial, shared vision, how well both partners are managing the partnership, the core principles guiding their work. They also evaluated areas for improvement in partnership management, and the benefits gained from the partnership.

    In another session, both organisations discussed their strategic priorities and how they can complement each other. Sonke is developing a new global strategy, focusing on new areas such as intersectionality, disability, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. Concern is also focusing on sustainability of its funding and grants system, developing a dedicated training institute for sexual harassment prevention and gender transformation. They aim to develop their gender transformative approach in climate change and demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration contexts. Concern has been working on two research projects, one on LGBTQIA+ communities in Lesotho and the other on technological Sexual Gender Based Violence. Concern is adapting its global Equality Theory of Change to conflict and crisis-affected areas, and broadening its scope to focus on other inequalities, particularly disability. They are developing a new Inclusive Leadership module and encouraging more open-door family events with gender activities. The discussion also highlighted opportunities for synergies in technical areas, such as LGBTQIA+ rights and SRH. Both organizations will include other organizations in consultation for their new strategy development and make efforts to document and disseminate learnings.

    Gender Transformative Approach workshop

    Concern Worldwide staff were trained by Sonke Gender Justice on Gender Transformative Approaches methodology from 19 to 23 August The modules were adapted to a European culture and audience. A session on gender programming was added to the agenda to link the workshop with Concern’s programmatic work. Discussions highlighted the importance of staying updated in humanitarian field discussions. The link between gender in programming and quality, locally led programming was also highlighted. The workshop also emphasised the need for different culture-specific images for gender norms transformation activities and the need to review manual thinking for other family dynamics and caretaker groups. It also highlighted the importance of looking at practices and behaviours during pre and post-test surveys and qualitative observation and data for both staff and communities.

    Participants identified key takeaways and next actions, including mental workload sharing, paying more attention to certain situations, having courage to act as an ally, creating more safe spaces for reflection. Participants also had conversations on arranging discreet sessions, encouraging sons to be open to non-boy activities, being aware of stereotypes’ impact on men, and not being complacent regarding inequality work in Ireland. They also discussed ideas for workshops and group collaboration, the gender continuum, and the need to embed equality thinking into programs and recognize workplace challenges.

    Sonke Gender Justice and Concern Worldwide intend to continue their collaboration to ensure that their shared vision of promoting gender transformation is translated into actions and interventions in different countries.

  • “Eyolutsha leMpumaKapa” youth-led project

    “Eyolutsha leMpumaKapa” youth-led project

    The “Masoyise uxhatshazo olusekezwe kwisini ingakumbi amanina nabantwana!”- Let us overcome Gender-Based Violence, especially towards Women and Children, project implementation continues in South Africa’s Eastern Cape communities.

    The project, supported by donor KNH, is based in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality in Zwide and Motherwell communities as well as in the Amathole District in the communities of Mbashe and Mnquma. This initiative seeks to develop and promote meaningful and inclusive youth participation through capacity building and mobilize communities to address harmful gender norms through gender transformative approaches.

    ‘‘We held an inception meeting in May at the Amathole district area where we engaged several stakeholders including government, the religious and traditional leadership and civil cociety representatives’’ said Patrick Godana, the lead of the project and Community Education and Mobilisation Provincial Manager.

    ‘’We then had a second kick-off meeting in August where selected local schools that we will be working with, namely Sakhisizwe High School, Boysenspark High School, Ndabankulu High School and Nondwe High Schools’’ he adds.

    Sakhisizwe High School is a public school serving the poverty-stricken community of Zwide municipality. Boysen’s Park High School on the other hand, is a multi-racial school with Xhosa and Afrikaans speaking learners, servicing northern areas of the Nelson Mandela Metro municipality.

    In the Amathole District, Ndabankulu High School and Nondwe High School were selected, both schools are in deep rural settings of what is formerly known as the Transkei Bantustan and are under resourced with high levels of poverty and GBV.

    Since then, the project has had to appoint youth ambassadors for this project, to ensure that these young people advocate for gender justice and meaningfully participate in decision-making spaces.

    ‘’The criteria to choose youth ambassadors included looking for a gender balance, we wanted pupils who are active and are attending school regularly, and especially those who represent the marginalized groups like the LGBTQIA+. Their education commitments are prioritized, as project activities only take place after school, with consent from parents.’’ Godana explained.

    During various consultations with Sonke, youth ambassadors have expressed how GBV affects them and the negative effects of the poor response from authorities to support the survivors.

    As such, among other roles of these ambassadors is to represent youth in various platforms and advocate for their struggles especially based on gender-based violence issues.

    Next year, the selected ambassadors will attend capacity building workshops, so as to engage the learners through the Each One , Teach One campaign in which they will be capacitated on various issues affecting the youth including sexual and reproductive health rights.

  • MenEngage Africa and Sonke Gender Justice at the SVRI2024 forum

    MenEngage Africa and Sonke Gender Justice at the SVRI2024 forum

    Engaging men and boys as allies in the fight against gender-based violence is a critical way of achieving sustainable change. For several years, MenEngage Africa  has observed that programs working to include boys and men have the potential to both increase their support for gender equality and significantly reduce the levels of violence men perpetrate. The programs not only foster a deeper understanding of masculinity but also encourage participants to challenge harmful gender norms. Moreover, men who actively participate in programs focused on masculinity and gender equality are more likely to advocate for women’s rights. This shift in perspective is vital, as it helps dismantle the societal structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice. The impact of GBV extends beyond individual victims: it ripples through communities, obstructing progress and entrenching cycles of violence and discrimination.

    It is against this background that MenEngage Africa and Sonke Gender Justice and partners convened  at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative 2024 forum in Cape Town, South Africa, on the 22nd of October 2024 to host a parallel event under the theme: Reimagining Masculinities: Mobilizing Men and Boys to prevent Gender-Based Violence. The  aim of the side event was to  highlight key contributions that MenEngage Africa has made toward violence prevention. This parallel event sought to strengthening strategies of partnering with men and boys,  encouraging them to become steadfast allies in the quest for gender justice and the promotion of women’s rights. Central to this mission, is the urgent need to address and prevent sexual and gender-based violence , which remains a critical issue affecting millions across the continent.

    “It was an exciting experience to witness MEA’s significant contributions to violence prevention through engaging men and boys as allies in promoting gender justice, women’s rights, and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence ,” says Joseph Kilonzo  of the Kenya MenEngage Alliance.

    “This experience empowered me to become a change agent, actively engaging men and boys in challenging harmful traditional practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and teenage pregnancies, while promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues. “he adds.

    The side event was  also an acknowledgement of the innovative and creative methods they have employed to prevent sexual and gender-based violence across the African continent. Through an engaging series of presentations and discussions, attendees learned about MEA’s multifaceted strategies, that include community engagement, educational outreach, and advocacy campaigns. These strategies are thus meant to challenge traditional notions of masculinity, contribute to healthy relationships, and embolden men and boys to take an active stand against GBV.

    MenEngage Africa and Sonke Gender Justice are committed to creating sustainable and effective interventions that address the root causes of GBV. Encouraged by our recent participation in the 2024 SVRI forum held in Cape Town, South Africa, we remain steadfast in our commitment to engaging men and boys in our programs and as allies in bringing an end to gender-based violence.

  • 16 Days of Activism: MenEngage Africa joins the global fight against GBV

    16 Days of Activism: MenEngage Africa joins the global fight against GBV

    MenEngage Africa joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign running from November 25th-the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10th-Human Rights Day. It was also an important year because it fell within the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a milestone global policy framework for advancing women’s rights.

    The theme of this year’s campaign, “UNITE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” calls for a collective action that should be done across all sectors in society. The Beijing Declaration emphasized the need to address systemic issues that perpetuate GBV, including cultural norms, economic disparities, and legal barriers.

    MenEngage Africa’s engagement in this campaign covered 24 countries across the continent. In each country, various activities were organized, which were specifically tailored to the local context but within the broader goals of the campaign.

    “This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign provided a crucial opportunity to renew our commitment to ending violence against women and girls,” said Josephine Mukwendi, Sonke’s Regional Programme Specialist. “By working together with our partners across Africa, we can create a more just and equitable world where all women and girls can live free from fear and violence. “she adds.

    MenEngage Africa continues its commitment beyond the 16 Days of Activism campaign, it emphasizes that ending violence against women requires sustained effort from all sectors of society. The lessons learned during this campaign will inform future strategies aimed at creating safer spaces for women and girls across Africa.

    Here are some of the highlights from some MenEngage Africa networks

    MenEngage  Nigeria

    On the 7th of December 2024, Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative hosted a X space under the theme; Unite for Change: Raising Awareness on Intersectional Discrimination and VAWG.”  The X space focused on raising awareness about Intersectional discrimination and violence against women and girls. The objective was to enhance advocacy efforts geared towards ending violence against women and girls and to foster a supportive online community.

    Listen here:

    Part 1
    Part 2

    MenEngage South Sudan

    MESS hosted several gender-based violence awareness sessions. One of them was a community sensitization session with over 50 participants focused on promoting gender equality as a human rights issue. The event involved stakeholders, including men, women, and youth from diverse backgrounds. Participants engaged through interactive sessions, group discussions, and role-playing activities, challenging gender stereotypes and encouraging inclusive attitudes. The event successfully achieved its key targets.

    MESS also conducted sensitization sessions both through radio broadcasts, which actively involved the youth and other members of the network. The radio broadcasts talked of issues like “What does it mean to be a man within the context of South Sudan?”, “unpacking positive masculinity-a concept of everyday momentum,” and general attitudes in society around what it means to be a man. According to an estimated listenership conducted by management of Miraya Radio station, these talk shows may have reached more than 2 million people.

    Listen here:

    MenEngage DRC

    In an effort to expand their reach and appeal to a wider audience, MenEngage DRC has effectively leveraged the use of media and the transformative power of art. Among their creative ventures is the production of a song that captures the essence of their message. The song, with powerful lyrics and captivating melodies, was aired on Zonart TV, an influential platform that attracts a considerable audience. This has been a very strategic decision to use music as a vehicle for social change, since it requires engagement at both emotional and cultural levels for listeners.

    The broad vision of this musical initiative is to educate the audience about the critical issues related to gender-based violence and to bring a sense of urgency in the call for a final stop to such acts. This educative way not only informs the community but also mobilizes them into the ongoing fight against gender violence. MenEngage DRC seeks to ignite collective action and solidarity amongst people from diverse walks of life through the promotion of dialogue and personal reflection inspired by artistic expression.

    Watch/Listen here:

    MenEngage Cameroon

    To commemorate 16 days of activism, Sustainable Women Organisation  and Xhuma Africa under the umbrella of Men Engage Cameroon, held an inter generation dialogue in Fundong, Boyo division. To raise awareness on gender-based violence and communities’ role in eliminating it. This intergenerational dialogue  featured 60 Participants comprised of women, girls, men and boys, thus providing an opportunity for  different perspectives. While the participants unanimously agreed that gender –based violence is criminal, women indicated that economic empowerment, inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making spaces will go a long way to curb the incidence of violence against women and girls.  Girls and boys called for conversations  amongst parents and their children on issues around GBV so that girls in particular can open up if they are violated. They also advocated for equal opportunities for boys and girls to attain their full potential.  All the groups strongly called for severe punishment for all perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

  • Sonke Gender Justice leads #GBVNotMyHeritage campaign to challenge harmful norms

    Sonke Gender Justice leads #GBVNotMyHeritage campaign to challenge harmful norms

    Sonke Gender Justice launched the annual #GBVNotMyHeritage campaign under Generation Gender programme, a bold initiative against the normalisation of Gender-based Violence, so deeply rooted in the cultural and religious fabric of South Africa. The in-person campaign was conducted from September the 26th to October 4th at Generation Gender implementation sites in Kwazulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng. The campaign calls on communities, traditional leaders, and religious leaders to take an active stance in condemning GBV in all forms.

    The #GBVNotMyHeritage campaign sought to foster open dialogue on the links between religion, culture, and GBV while empowering religious and traditional leaders to play an active role in addressing GBV within their communities. The campaign challenged cultural practices that perpetrate GBV and misinterpreted religious texts, thereby helping to create a fair and just society.

    South Africa faces a critical public health crisis with alarmingly high rates of GBV. The South African Medical Research Council reports that the rate of femicide remains high, with 5.5 in 100,000 women killed by an intimate partner between 2020 and 2021. Despite robust laws and policies, GBV continues to plague our society.

    “GBV remains a pervasive issue in South Africa, with alarmingly high rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, and femicide,” says Namuma Mulindi, Policy Development and Advocacy Specialist at Sonke Gender Justice. “This campaign thus seeks to dismantle the injurious cultural and religious norms that feed this crisis”, she adds.

    One of the root causes of this crisis lies in the deeply ingrained influence of cultural and religious norms that perpetuate gender inequality and discriminatory patriarchal practices. Discussions during the campaign revealed a disturbing trend: the misinterpretation of religious texts to justify abusive behavior and a failure to hold duty bearers, including cultural leaders, accountable.

    There was a consensus among participants that there is still a need for more conversations on how religion and culture have been used to normalise GBV if the problem is to be effectively addressed. “We need to ensure religious and cultural leaders in rural communities are invited into spaces where the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence (NSP-GBVF) is being discussed so that they too can provide their insight and support the fight against GBV,” concludes Mulindi.

    Watch highlights here:

  • Donor’s Corner: Irene M. Staehelin Foundation

    Donor’s Corner: Irene M. Staehelin Foundation

    Sonke is extremely appreciative of the generous support provided by the Irene M. Staehelin Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to promoting social justice and human rights around the world. Their support has been instrumental in advancing our work to address gender-based violence and HIV in the Western and Northern Cape provinces in South Africa. Through this collaboration, Sonke has been able to strengthen community-driven approaches that empower marginalized populations, challenge harmful gender norms, and promote equitable health services. The Foundation’s generous contributions have supported transformative initiatives that enhance rights-based advocacy and foster safer, inclusive communities.

    On 19 November 2024, the IMS Foundation board members visited Sonke’s Men’s Wellness Centre in the Western Cape. This visit provided an opportunity to witness the impact of Sonke’s work firsthand. Board members engaged with beneficiaries, who shared powerful testimonies of personal transformation, and participated in a Men’s Dialogue session with diverse stakeholders, including traditional leaders, health service providers, and LGBTQI advocates. These discussions highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to promote men’s health, address GBVF, and end violence against women and children.

    The partnership has enabled Sonke to scale up the Gugulethu Men’s Wellness Programme, conduct formative research into indigenous communities, and strengthen civil society’s capacity for policy advocacy. By leveraging media, religious, and traditional authorities, the Foundation’s support has also advanced community mobilization to hold duty-bearers accountable for delivering inclusive health services. Projects of this nature are crucial in our country especially because South Africa faces the intersecting crisis of GBV and HIV/AIDS with some of the highest rates globally. These projects have the ability to break the existing cycle of violence in homes as well as HIV/AIDS infection by fostering gender equality, improving access to healthcare services and empowering communities. As a result of this partnership, Sonke continues to build on our Rights, Action, Accountability and Sustainability model, scaling up efforts to empower local communities to address GBV and HIV.

    This initiative emphasizes the vital role of men and boys in transforming harmful gender norms, while also promoting the leadership of marginalized groups, including indigenous communities. Together, we are creating a future where communities can access opportunities, healthcare, and rights, free from discrimination and violence. By addressing these issues holistically, we are not only solving present challenges but also paving the way for future generations to thrive in a more just and equitable society. We deeply value the support from Irene M. Staehelin Foundation and look forward to build on the impact from this strategic partnership.

  • Advancing transformative Feminist Leadership

    Advancing transformative Feminist Leadership

    The Mpumalanga Inkanyezi project team held a three-day training for elected officials, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and community representatives in collaboration with the Commission for Gender Equality, from the 13th to the 15th of November 2924.

    The workshop was to capacitates participants to better understand feminist leadership. The session highlighted how feminist principles can motivate attempts to achieve more gender equality as follows:

    Supporting Gender Equality: examining how feminist leadership can address the underlying causes of inequity while strengthening the rights of women.

    Strengthening Networks: establishing and fostering linkages between feminist movements and women leaders to present an organized front for advocacy.

    Empowering Advocacy: ensuring that women leaders’ voices are heard in decision-making processes by encouraging them to actively participate in feminist public policy advocacy.

    ‘’We combined knowledge, theory, and practical applications drawn from women’s leaders and organizations’ experiences during the session. Participants shared about leadership obstacles women encounter and tips on how to overcome these’’ said Sonke’s Senior Trainer Rhandzekile Mathebula

    The Commission for Gender Equality led a session which focused on cultivating female leaders to promote gender equality. Commissioner Eurika Mogane emphasized on the importance of capacitating especially young women leaders.

    ‘’Gender equality is still a challenge in society despite advancements. It is imperative to keep opposing patriarchal norms and informing communities about the negative impact that they have on young girls and women, and we do this through our many interventions’’ Mogane said.

    The meeting agreed that charity begins at home in terms of effectively addressing gender inequalities. ‘’From an early age, parents should encourage their children, regardless of gender, to share household duties equally. In addition to improving family dynamics, this approach will help lower gender-based violence. Boys can have a deeper awareness of the difficulties women encounter and develop greater empathy and respect by learning about the roles that are typically allocated to women’’ add Mogane.

    The workshop provided a safe space for women to ventilate on various issues and learn from one another. A key takeaway from the session was one participant, who wished not to be named, who indicated that after the training, she now had the courage to run for the local ward councilor position in the upcoming elections, given the knowledge and encouragement received on how to navigate leadership roles from the trainings.

    Sonke through the Inkanyezi project, continues to empower women leaders in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape provinces.

  • The Prevention of GBV and the spread of HIV in the Northern Cape

    The Prevention of GBV and the spread of HIV in the Northern Cape

    Sonke is currently implementing a project in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, particularly in Platfontein, to prevent Gender-based violence and femicide as well as the spread of HIV/Aids.

    Scaling up on Sonke’s interventions in South Africa, this three year project aims to strengthen the capacity of underserved communities in the Northern and Western Cape provinces and targets the Khoi and San communities, adolescent girls, women, men and boys.

    “Through this project we want to empower local communities to actively participate in addressing social issues that affect them as well as to create awareness about the scourge of HIV/AIDS and GBVF, and demand access to quality health services. We know that when communities are knowledgeable about their rights, they are empowered to act and to hold duty bearers accountable.” said Dwaine Fish, Sonke’s Project Coordinator. 

    This project replicates the current implementation model of the Gugulethu Men’s Wellness Programme based in the Western Cape. 

    Research shows that the prevalence of STIs among women who have experienced violence is, at least, twice as high as in women who have not, with statistics showing a strong correlation also between GBVF and HIV. 

    Therefore, the wellness programme promotes positive health seeking behaviours among men and increases their uptake of medical health services, such as screening for high blood pressure, diabetes and HIV testing. Sonke believes when men are empowered to utilise health services, this will contribute to a reduction in infection rates and violence against women and girls. 

    “Overall through both these wellness programmes, we aim to reach over ninety men over a three-year period,” Fish confirmed. 

    Sonke together with two subawardees Bathopele NGO and Grassroots edge, have implemented several interventions to date. Here’s a high-level update of the activities conducted this year: 

    Community, stakeholder engagements and capacity building 

    We engaged the Northern Cape’s civil society organisations and government departments in July, to introduce the project to stakeholders. This was also an opportunity for attendees to express their plights. Key takeaways from this session were reflections from the participants citing challenges with language, being discriminated against based on their features and the lack of development in Platfontein. 

    To build the capacity of participants, we held a stakeholder’s workshop in July in Kimberly, an engagement which was led by Sonke’s Sub-Awards unit local sub grantees. The workshop was attended by over twenty participants including media and government officials as well as civil society organisations. 

    In August, the team conducted a community meeting in Platfontein at the !Xhunhwesa Combined School, which brought together over two hundred community members, to share the project’s baseline evaluation. We have also built partnerships with local media, namely the Rivival FM, Radio Teemaneng and the SABC XK Radio station, to raise awareness about the scourge of HIV and the impact of GBVF in the province.

    Heritage Day

    To celebrate and embrace the rich history and culture of the Khoi and San people, Sonke collaborated with the !Xhunkwesa Combine School, to celebrate Heritage Day in September. The day was celebrated through music, dance and drama activities, under the theme GBV is not my Heritage.

    Grassroots Edge Holiday Camp

    One of the subgrantees of the project, Grassroots Edge, hosted a Holiday School camp in Platfontein in June, which capacitated learners on Sexual and Reproductive Health and human rights.

    Safe Space for Boys

    We seek to expand on Sonke’s intersectional and gender transformative approach, with a focus on the role of men and boys as allies in the prevention of GBVF, by promoting positive masculinities and addressing harmful social norms. This will be done through a platform titled: Safe Space for Boys. 

    The platform aims to be an environment for men to freely share their feelings, to help deal with stress, a tool to educate and raise awareness on GBVF, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS through monthly hourly sessions, as well as a space for learning through arts and sports and for participants to become GBVF champions through peer learning. 

  • Research for advocacy and Gender Transformative Approaches training in Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda

    Research for advocacy and Gender Transformative Approaches training in Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda

    Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa, through the funding from Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation,  NORAD, recently conducted a multi-country training for implementing partners of the SRHR4ALL project. Held from November 17th to 21st, 2024, the training equipped 18 partners in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Malawi with crucial skills in Research for Advocacy and Gender Transformative Approaches (GTA).

    Research for advocacy Training in Malawi

    The SRHR4ALL project aims, among other things, to generate insights and a better understanding of the processes that determine and strengthen people’s sexual and reproductive health and their ability to claim their sexual and reproductive rights. The program strives to contribute to improving and innovating SRHR policies and practices, with a special focus on empowering young people and key populations in Africa. This training is essential for equipping partners with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively advocate for causes and influence public policy. It is also crucial for promoting evidence-based approaches to SRHR programming, documentation, and learning, while enhancing the capacity to strengthen program delivery.

    The purpose of the capacity enhancement training was to improve partners’ understanding and deployment of GTA approaches in SRHR programming and in building evidence of programme interventions for learning and advocacy.

    Other objectives of the training included:

    • Understanding key concepts and definitions, acquiring basic skills on rationale behind evidence-based advocacy and why it is critical to our work
    • Improving partners understanding and knowledge of using advocacy research to influence policy interventions

    Research for Advocacy Training in Uganda

    “This training is vital for our partners to effectively advocate for the rights and needs of the communities they serve,” said Sonke’s Regional SRHR Coordinator, Runyararo. “By equipping them with the tools and knowledge to conduct research, utilize GTA approaches, and influence policy, we are empowering them to create lasting change in the field of SRHR.”she adds.

    The training included interactive sessions, discussions, and knowledge-sharing among partners. Participants expressed enthusiasm for the training, emphasizing the importance of these skills for effective program implementation and achieving meaningful impact.

    “The sessions were incredibly enlightening and empowering, providing me with clear steps to plan and implement my advocacy efforts at both the policy and community levels. Discussions on evidence-based advocacy, policy development cycles, and creating an advocacy roadmap were invaluable in shaping the direction of my work. Sharing experiences with other organizations provided profound insights that strengthened my advocacy approach. Inspired by these learnings, I even integrated these insights into my 16 Days of Activism efforts, crafting evidence-based, step-guided, and impactful advocacy initiatives”, says Biruktawit Taye, Tamra for Social Development Organization, Ethopia.

    Research for Advocacy Training  in Ethiopia.

    Sonke and MenEngage Africa strongly believe in youth engagement. Young people know their situation best, what needs they have, and they can work towards their own solutions. It is critical to provide adequate resources and support to enable young people’s agency!

  • MenEngage Africa Youth Chair Gcina Shongwe reflects on the Summit of the Future!

    MenEngage Africa Youth Chair Gcina Shongwe reflects on the Summit of the Future!

    The Summit of the Future brought together global leaders, innovators, activists, government representatives, and civil society leaders with a unified goal: to shape a more sustainable, just, and inclusive world. This great event was more than just another international gathering, it was a call to action, urging us to rethink global cooperation, human rights, and sustainability in unprecedented challenges. 

    As I reflect on the Summit’s significance, two key themes stand out: global solidarity and intergenerational equity. One of the most powerful messages echoed throughout the summit was the necessity of global solidarity. In the face of rising global inequalities, climate change, and ongoing humanitarian crises, the idea that “we are all in this together” gained renewed importance. No country, community, or individual can face these crises alone.

    The Summit’s call for reinvigorated multilateralism emphasised the importance of cross-border cooperation among governments and civil society, private sectors, and grassroots movements. For LGBTQI+ communities, the emphasis on solidarity holds profound meaning. Seeing the conversation around inclusivity extend beyond traditional socio economic issues to encompass the fight for LGBTQI+ rights was heartening. Marginalised communities must be part of global solutions, not afterthoughts. As a representative of LGBTQI+ advocacy, I left the summit feeling a sense of renewed hope for global action that centres on justice for all, regardless of identity.

    The Summit of the Future has positively impacted on my work as an advocate for gender and human rights by engraving me with sustainable knowledge of how different forms of discrimination, such as gender inequalities, and gender-based violence intersect and pose unbearable challenges for people across Africa. The Summit opened a space for reaffirmation of our global shared responsibility and bringing all actors from all spheres of life to recognise the need to champion gender transformative and inclusive approaches to achieving the Global 2030 target, which aligns with our strategy as MEA is to bring LGBTQI+ people to the centre of our programmes and to protect and promote their rights as part of our gender justice work. 

    However, it also opened a space focus as young leaders to connect and engage on how we as young people from all across the globe can engage in vital discussions to shape policy and accelerate change towards 2030, as part of my work to promote meaningful participation and inclusion of young people in key decision-making spaces, and the summit allowed us to craft sustainable solutions as global youth leaders on how we can ensure young people are the backbone and at the forefront of global development, which includes young people being at the forefront in championing gender equality and promoting positive masculinities. I personally feel this was a moment for me to collect, gather and document skills and experiences that other young people from across the globe are implementing to promote MIYP and integrate these skills within the African continent and within the organisation I am working. The MenEngage Africa work is to pioneer sustainable and positive youth leadership, the focus of MEA on youth leadership compliments with the Summit’s call for young people to occupy and hold spaces of power and pioneer global development.

    The future belongs to the next generation, and this summit recognised that. Intergenerational equity emerged as a focal point of discussions, with youth voices being amplified across various platforms. This wasn’t just symbolic, there was an authentic commitment to empowering young people and ensuring that policies are developed with their future in mind. As someone representing youth, I appreciated this recognition and the practical steps being taken to integrate young leaders into decision-making processes.

    This is crucial for LGBTQI+ youth, who often find themselves at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination. The discussions around safeguarding the rights and well-being of younger generations, be it in terms of environmental stewardship, access to Education or protection from violence are deeply relevant to the queer community. The summit served as a reminder that our advocacy must always keep the needs of future generations in mind.

    The Summit of the Future was a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our world and the urgent need for global solidarity and intergenerational equity. As we move forward, we must continue to advocate for a world where all individuals, regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, or other identities, can thrive. The future of our planet depends on it.

  • Sonke Gender Justice’s Linking Policy and Implementation for Gender Equality Project Culminates in Malawi

    Sonke Gender Justice’s Linking Policy and Implementation for Gender Equality Project Culminates in Malawi

    Sonke Gender Justice recently concluded a three-year project aimed at promoting gender equality in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Namibia. The Linking Policy and Implementation for Gender Equality project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) culminated in a close-out meeting in Malawi from the 16th to 17 of September. The meeting served as a platform for partners from the three countries to reflect on the project’s achievements and challenges over the past three years. Participants shared their proudest moments and discussed the progress made in linking policy and implementation to address harmful cultural norms and patriarchal attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality and human rights violations.

    The Linking Policy and Implementation for Gender Equality in Malawi, Namibia, and Zimbabwe was a three-year project that began in October 2021 and concluded in September 2024. The project contributed to an increase in gender equality and a reduction of Gender Based Violence in Southern Africa.

    “Looking back at where we started with the project to where we are, it is quite humbling to see how we are now seeing a keen interest from fathers to uptake some care responsibilities for their children. This was shown in the first ever State of Zimbabwe Fathers report released recently, that the MenEngage Zimbabwe network led on,” says Sonke’s Regional Programmes Coordinator, Mphokuhle Mabhena-Lunga. 

    Gender-based violence is a challenge in Southern Africa, one that disproportionately affects women. GBV has a significant negative economic and social impact on the region, with 50% of women in the region at risk of experiencing GBV. GBV is a human rights violation that comes with devastating consequences for individuals, families, communities, and societies.

    Through various strategies, Sonke worked to strengthen the capacity of MenEngage Africa partners in Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe as well as the communities they work with to effectively address gender-based violence, promote women’s economic empowerment, and enhance women’s participation in decision-making processes. The project’s achievements include the decentralized, local capacity building and engagement with about 153 traditional and religious leaders, exceeding targeted 30 trainings by 510% on gender transformative approaches and the MenCare model, which rapidly resulted in widespread attitude and practice changes, cascaded to communities and local structures.

    The project’s success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of partners from the three countries, as well as the support provided by ADA. By linking policy and implementation, the project has made significant strides in creating a more equitable and just society for all.

    “I am proud of the robust partnerships that have been cultivated among partners. I am proud of how the country leads have developed talent and allies with religious and traditional figures. I am particularly proud of the leaders that have emerged from our technical team within Sonke that have emerged through this experience, this has been the greatest satisfaction for me to witness”, said Sonke Regional Co-Unit Manager Diana Macauley. 

    As the project comes to a close, Sonke Gender Justice remains committed to promoting gender equality and human rights in the region. The organization will continue to work with partners to build on the successes achieved through this project and ensure that gender equality is a priority in future development efforts.

  • Donor Corner: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Gen G Project

    Donor Corner: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Gen G Project

    Sonke Gender Justice extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for its unwavering support of the Generation G (Gen G) programme. This support, provided under the Power of Voices Partnership subsidy framework, has been instrumental in advancing gender equality and gender justice initiatives across Uganda, South Africa, and other program regions. The Ministry’s contribution continues to empower youth, women, and civil society to promote gender-transformative approaches and prevent gender-based violence (GBV).

    For over a decade, Sonke has worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, initially through various smaller initiatives, which later evolved into the full-fledged Generation G programme. Through this partnership, Sonke and its coalition partners, including FIDA-Uganda, Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), and CEHURD, have tackled deep-rooted gender inequities and fostered inclusive environments where young people and women can thrive.

    This collaboration has allowed Sonke to implement crucial programs in Uganda, such as engaging youth and community leaders in promoting gender justice and reducing harmful cultural practices. Key milestones include launching large-scale campaigns, fostering dialogues at the community level, and advocating for progressive policies in Uganda’s national and local governance structures. Sonke Gender Justice extends its deep appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for its steadfast support of the Generation G (Gen G) programme. This partnership has been crucial in advancing gender equality and promoting gender-transformative approaches across Uganda, South Africa, and beyond. Through this collaboration, Sonke and its coalition partners have empowered youth, women, and civil society organizations to take a leading role in gender justice advocacy and preventing gender-based violence (GBV).

    The Gen G project has made significant strides in raising awareness about gender-related laws and fostering inclusive environments in communities. In Uganda, initiatives such as youth summits, intergenerational dialogues, and media campaigns have engaged young people and key stakeholders in addressing harmful cultural practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and promoting gender equality. Moreover, the program’s efforts have led to increased youth leadership in local policy advocacy and the development of progressive gender-inclusive laws at both the national and district levels.

    Looking ahead, Sonke and its partners, with continued support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will build on these successes to further strengthen advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and gender justice. By focusing on youth empowerment, policy influence, and strengthening civil society’s capacity, the Gen G programme aims to create lasting change and ensure a more just and equal future for all.

  • The second MenEngage Africa Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Learning and Exchange Symposium: Taking stock, filling gaps and exploring opportunities

    The second MenEngage Africa Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Learning and Exchange Symposium: Taking stock, filling gaps and exploring opportunities

    The MenEngage Africa Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Learning and Exchange Symposium concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, leaving a lasting impact on the continent’s efforts to promote SRHR for all. The three-day event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organisations, researchers, and community leaders, to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices under the theme PROGRESS 2024: “Promoting the realisation of SRHR and Gender Equality across Africa’’. With an attendance of over two hundred participants from all around Africa, Indonesia and The Netherlands. The symposium was the second of its kind, following the inaugural one that took place in South Africa last year. The symposium hosted twenty-one breakout rooms and three plenaries over three days. 

    “Every individual, regardless of age, gender, or background, has the right to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health,” said Deputy Ambassador Geir Arne Scheir of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Nairobi. He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Norway to gender equality and SRHR anchored in the belief that every individual regardless of age and ethnicity has access to the information needed to fully realise their SRHR.

    Moreover, diverse stakeholders from civil society organisations (CSOs), embassies and international organisations gave opening remarks, all emphasising that SRHR are fundamental human rights essential for well-being, and that they are a cornerstone of social justice, gender justice and sustainable development. Maximina Jokonya (Executive Director, Y+ Global) noted that African youth continue to face barriers in accessing their human rights in all facets of their lives and highlighted the need to have honest conversations as a movement committed to ‘doing development differently’. This was echoed by Jacqueline Utamuriza-Nzisabira, Regional Policy Specialist for United Nations Women East and Southern Africa, speaking on behalf of Hodan Addou Regional Director for UN Women East and Southern Africa, urged on the need to prioritise addressing the structural drivers of inequalities that become the structural drivers of vulnerabilities to HIV transmission and SRHR violations such as economic inequality and harmful societal norms. 

    Bafana Khumalo Co-Executive Director, Sonke Gender Justice affirmed that achieving SRHR for all is a complex, multifaceted endeavours that requires commitment to feminist principles, collaboration, and dialogue, and that commitment must extend beyond the symposium walls to ‘the communities we serve and the lives we touch’.

    The symposium served as a platform for participants to discuss critical issues related to men’s engagement in SRHR, such as gender-based violence, harmful gender norms, and access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. Key themes explored during the event include:

    • Challenging harmful gender norms: Participants examined how traditional gender roles and stereotypes contribute to SRHR inequities and explored strategies for promoting gender equality.
    • Promoting men’s engagement in SRHR: The symposium discussed the importance of involving men and boys in SRHR programming and explored effective approaches to engage them as allies and advocates.
    • Addressing gender-based violence: Participants addressed the root causes of gender-based violence and discussed strategies for prevention, response, and support for survivors.
    • Improving access to SRHR services for men and boys: The symposium explored barriers to access to SRHR services for men and boys and discussed strategies for improving their availability and quality.

    One of the highlights of the symposium was the presentation of innovative programs and initiatives that are making a difference in promoting SRHR among young people, men and boys in Africa. These included community-based interventions, educational programs, and advocacy campaigns.

    The MenEngage Africa SRHR Learning and Exchange Symposium was a significant milestone in the continent’s efforts to advance SRHR for all. The event provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to connect, learn from each other, and develop collaborative partnerships to address the challenges and opportunities related to men’s engagement in SRHR.

    As the symposium concluded, participants expressed their commitment to continuing the work initiated at the event and to using the knowledge and insights gained to drive positive change in their communities.

  • Community Education and Mobilisation host Women’s month activities

    Community Education and Mobilisation host Women’s month activities

    Sonke hosted a series of events during August, dubbed Women’s Month, in South Africa as a call for action against Gender-Based Violence. One of the events was a celebration of the milestones of the #TotalShutDown movement of 2018, which was a march against gender based violence in South Africa, while another was the capacitation of community-based organizations to strengthen advocacy on the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. 

    Sonke, through its partnership with Irish Aid, played an important role in the #TotalShutDown protests and the establishment of the call-to-action civil society group that ultimately contributed to the drafting and passing of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSPGBVF) which was handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa in April 2020. 

    The Community Education and Mobilisation Unit hosted a National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Design Thinking Workshop, in August to engage community-based organizations on advocacy methods to push for NSP-GBVF to be localized and implemented at the municipal government level. 

    On the first day of the two day workshop, participants were taken through each Pillar of the NSP in detail, to help them understand the key role players of the government in implementing each pillar and the role of civil society. Participants expressed concern about the lack of knowledge of the plan by government officials, and the lack of initiative by the local government structure to implement it.

    During the workshop, participants reflected on their key organizational strengths and advocacy capabilities and designed an advocacy campaign that aligned with pillars of the NSP. This exercise gave a moment for the community based organisations to reflect on advocacy issues in their communities and the crucial role they can play in implementing advocacy strategies that could address GBVF and further hold duty bearers accountable for implementing the Plan.

    Community Action Team member Gina Mthiyane said the workshop was insightful ‘’This was so helpful in understanding the NSP on GBVF. I now know that the work that I do is aligned with Pillar 4 on Economic Power. As a community, we can do more to link women with stakeholders for economic development and skill.” 

    Read about the NSP here https://genderjustice.org.za/know-your-nsp/ 

    #TotalShutDown movement milestone celebration

    On the 20th of August, Sonke celebrated the courage of civil society organizations and shared the best practices for building feminist support systems for survivors and the importance of peacebuilding in the prevention of the scourge of gender-based violence. Reflecting on the monumental #TotalShutDown demonstration, which saw thousands of South African women march to the Union Building, the event noted that a key element that made this movement successful was the mobilization of women, girls, and non-conforming people across different sectors. 

    Speaking at the event, founder and Executive Director of the Lady of Peace Community Foundation Dieketseng Diale emphasised the importance of familiarising ourselves with instruments like the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security to make strides towards peacebuilding in homes and communities. “Peacebuilding is a journey, it starts in the household, then to the community, and ultimately to the world at large’’ she said. 

    Women in attendance shared their lived experiences of GBV and how it has directly or indirectly affected their lives. 

    “It takes courage and support from family and friends for one to eventually leave an abusive relationship. Leaving does not heal you, but it starts the journey. Speaking about the abuse with other women who have gone through similar experiences helps to overcome the pain and shame of being abused. Let us normalize speaking out and supporting one another as women.” said one of the survivors in anonymity. 

    “All women are affected by Gender Based Violence one way or another and it is important to recognize that as women we need each other,” said Jane Chikwado, National Convenor of Black Womxn’s Caucus.

    Best practices on building feminist safe healing spaces for women and girls and tips on how survivors of violence can rebuild their lives were shared in the meeting.

  • Sonke evaluates partner organization’s GTA implementation on programming

    Sonke evaluates partner organization’s GTA implementation on programming

    Sonke Gender Justice partnered with Save the Children on the SIDA programme to strengthen the capacity of Civil Society Organisations, CSO’s on implementing Gender Transformative Approaches, GTA for children’s rights and parenting by 2026. The program which now runs from 2022 and ends at the end of this year, works with CSOs based in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. 

    Sonke hosted a five day training session for fourteen CSOs in last year, capacitating them on GTA and how they can mainstream it in their respective organisations. Sonke also provided technical support to two CSO’s INERELA and the African Platform for Social Protection, that introduced GTA amongst their stakeholders and board members. The aim being to kickstart the process of orienting partners and their respective board members to plan for implementation on the ground. 

    According to Sonke’s Assistant Program Coordinator Nomhle Soni, ‘’the goal of the program is: a strong civil society that demands and supports the fulfilment of children’s rights, holding states to account and mobilizing and empowering children and their communities. Sonke’s goal, in response to that of SCI is to strengthen the capacity of these organisations on this methodology, we were considered for this opportunity as we are seen to be a gender expert in this humanitarian field’’. 

    As the partnership draws to a close by the end of 2024, Sonke has conducted monitoring, evaluation and support visits to the CSOs who participated in the training, to gauge whether they used GTA to review their programmes and the impact thereof if any, as well as to create opportunity for further collaborations for technical support and exchange learning beyond the project period. 

    ‘’So far we have visited South African based organizations REPSSI and INERELA, in Kenya, the East African Child Rights Network and Ugandan based Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network’’ said Dr Deliwe Menyuko, Sonke’s Regional Programmes Coordinator for Child Rights, Parenting and Mencare.

    During Sonke’s monitoring visit to INERELA, the Regional Coordinator Bobo Chazireni, indicated that the engagement with Sonke was critical for the organization as they are also restructuring, so they are relying on GTA methodologies in this regard. ‘’During our organisational capacity assessment process, we noticed that there are gaps in terms of gender disparities. At board level it was also noted that there is a need to strengthen policies around gender issues. In the upper management we are still looking for female leadership. We have policies which guide recruitment of staff members, they provide equal opportunities for all. The idea is to strengthen this process in line with gender transformation. We have also noted the importance of empowerment to be linked to gender parity processes’’ he said.

    Ugandan based Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network facilitates programmes using the GTA, as the training from Sonke strengthened their work. ‘’They indicated that they would like for Sonke to conduct training for the whole staff of Uganda and other offices in the region, as they have a lot to learn from us’’ said Dr Deliwe Menyuko, Sonke’s Regional Programmes Coordinator: Child Rights, Parenting and Mencare.

    East African Child Rights Network Executive Director Benedict Omillo, believes gender transformation is not an event but a process, ‘’ I believe a number our member countries and partners still needs capacitation on GTA, and how to approach it from a child rights lens, which is a missing link, we are now at a time where a good program should be evaluated according to how it embeds and applies this GTA across the continent’’.

    Sonke seeks to ensure that all CSOs within this project are gender transformative or at least are making efforts in that direction, as per requirements of SIDA.

  • Join the #HearUsOut #PowerToYouth Campaign!

    Join the #HearUsOut #PowerToYouth Campaign!

    The Power to You(th) Programme has started a global initiative dubbed #HearUsOut campaign to promote the rights of young people and elevate their voices and aspirations. This campaign calls on communities and local leaders to address issues that influence the lives of young people and ensure that youths are heard on issues that are critical for the latter’s empowerment. Click this link to engage in our campaign and spread the word.

    Power To Youth Malawi is engaging in this campaign by calling on stakeholders to act on addressing issues of unemployment plaguing young people and frustrating them to engage in negative coping mechanisms which prevent them from attaining their potential. The creation of employment opportunities will help them to better engage and contribute to the improvement of their lives and communities. Watch this video to hear from youths in Malawi.

    Youth in Malawi are raising awareness against negative social norms like early and child marriage, gender-based violence and low school attendance and calling on leaders to promote the education of young girls. When girls’ education is promoted, it will reduce the prevalence of teenage and unwanted pregnancies and child marriage. It will help young girls be eligible and able to access opportunities and become the best versions of themselves. Watch this video to learn more.

    Power To Youth Uganda has engaged in the #HearUsOut campaign by sampling the opinions of young people on issues that young people are facing in their communities. Among the opinions sampled are lack of access to that Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights services for young people like contraception services, family planning and education on reproductive health and rights. The major ask is for the government and local authorities to become more intentional about ensuring that SRHR services are youth friendly.

    Also evident in Bukwo District Uganda is the prevalence of juvenile delinquency among youths and adolescents with rising cases of drug abuse , and alcoholism leading to teenage, and unwanted pregnancies , high crime wave, school dropout and reckless lifestyle. There is a need for community education, sensitisation and youth-friendly services.

    This campaign is centred on ensuring that youths speak up, are heard and seen. Know more by visiting this link.

  • MATI trains and certifies 25 Fellows on Gender Peace and Security

    MATI trains and certifies 25 Fellows on Gender Peace and Security

    Twenty-five fellows from West, Central, East and Southern Africa are now equipped with knowledge on International Instruments and Frameworks on Human Rights, the Women Peace and Security agenda, skills to identify and deconstruct the structural drivers of conflict as well as how to engage in joint advocacy for the effective implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and 2250. They also understand the African Union Silencing the Guns campaign and skills for working with men and boys for feminist peace. This is an aftermath of MenEngage Africa Training Institute, dubbed #MATI2024, on Gender, Peace and Security.

    This fellowship co-organized and facilitated by Women International League for Peace and Freedom and Sonke Gender Justice utilized the hybrid model of training, consisting in three weeks online self-paced learning from 1st – 31st July in partnership with Gender Equality Studies and Training Program, Gro Gest of the University of Iceland and one week in-person training from 12-16th August in Nairobi, Kenya. The online session focused on grounding participants on the concepts, testing their understanding of the course as well as helping them reflect on knowledge gained through weekly assignments. 

    The in-person session was a platform for detailed and though-provoking presentations, group work, plenary discussions and sharing of country experiences centered around the gendered dimension of war, implementation of WPS , masculinities and peace processes. 

    Presentations were on major concepts and themes like the structural drivers of conflict viz toxic masculinities , violence against women and girls, negative and harmful cultural practices , women and girls used as weapon of wars, framework on Gender, Peace and Security like the Maputo Protocol , The AU Silencing The Guns Campaigns , The UNSCR 1325 and 2250 which emphasizes meaningful inclusion of women and youths in peace processes respectively, as well as the Kinshasa Declaration and the call to action of African Union leaders to promote positive masculinity as a way to end violence against women and girls.

    The Training was conducted through group work, plenary sessions and sharing of good practices.

    Group Work

    This set the pace for participants to coordinate themselves, put ideas together and deliberated on thematic like the structural drivers of conflict. They also discussed strategies for mainstreaming knowledge gained in their respective communities and action plans for their various interventions like feedback sessions, sensitization campaigns and local partnerships with traditional and religious leaders as a head of households. 

    Plenary Sessions and Discourses 

    Some of the subjects discussed during the plenary included -The MenEngage Alliance: an accountable and feminist approach to engaging men for gender equality and peace in Africa and Programmatic interventions to mobilise men for gender equality and peace in Africa: WILPF Cameroon working to end violence extremism within the context of armed conflict, MenEngage South Sudan working with community actors in providing mental health support to persons who have experienced repeated forms of traumatic events in fragile settings, MenEngage Nigeria working on community sensitisation on gender equality and prevention of violence against women and girls as a weapons of armed conflicts. 

    The discourse on working with men as boys as allies in the struggle for gender equality and feminist peace in Africa was delivered by- Bafana Khumalo, Co-Ed Sonke Gender Justice and member of the board of MenEngage Alliance who outline the context of MenEngage in Africa and how working with men and boys is pivotal for attaining gender equality and feminist peace. 

    “The conception of masculinities remains strongly tied to war and aggression, and this is how communities normalize negative masculinities. The feminist agenda for peace should aim to dismantle harmful norms and should have a transformative agenda which informs all socioeconomic and political inequalities. Accountability is also fundamental for engaging men and boys for gender justice. As MenEngage Africa, accountability must be practiced individually and collectively to address power and privilege and the importance of representation of women which can never be over emphasized.” – Bafana Khumalo, Co-Ed Sonke Gender Justice and member of the board of MenEngage Alliance.

    • The collective action of women and men in the Kenyan Protest against the rising cost of living, young unemployment and to reject the 2024 finance bill. As a result of the collective action, this bill was withdrawn following the suppression of the protest, loss of lives and other casualties. Women participated in these protests as leaders, mobilized others and were also inspired by the Mau Mua movement and other forms of activism that have brought about change in the world. 
    • Structural drivers of conflict like alcoholism, customs and traditions, harmful practices, Gender-based violence, underrepresentation of women in some sectors which intersect with other factors to escalate conflict and destabilize communities. 

    Sharing of Country Experiences

    The unique experiences of fellows intrigued conversations for strengthening partnerships, creating communities of practice, proposing solutions to challenges and superficial practices like tokenism and youth exploitation, peer learning, best practices and networking. 

    Trained fellows are currently working on communication products highlighting their MATI experience and are expected to contribute to enhancing WPS processes. Some of them had this to say towards the end of the in-person training 

    “The online course was friendly, and I was able to manoeuvre. It was interesting and I had time to reflect on the self-paced course. Now, the in-person session is very good because it’s gives more technical content coupled with examples from other contexts. It has also ignited my mind and given me inspiration on coming up with similar activities in my country.”  Enele Zulu, MenEngage South Africa 

    According to Gat’Panuy Wuay from MenEngage South Sudan, this training gives more grounding for his work. ‘’In South Sudan, we are at a difficult moment. I relate with a lot of things that have been shared, but also ensure to intentionally integrate it into the work we are doing. Also, it will help me add more content on our ongoing trauma healing program for young people most of whom have lost their loved ones. This training also helps me to mainstream activities from a gender sensitive approach and understand how masculinities, social and structural drivers are contributing to conflict.” 

    “At first, it was difficult for me to relate all the concepts to my work. Now, I am enjoying the onsite session so far because the different causes of conflict have been shared,”  Ncamiso Makhanya, MenEngage Swaziland. 

    “I was able to understand the concepts based on other examples from other countries. I intend to restitute with my country network and so we can work more on gender, peace and security,”  Uriele Tomety, MenEngage Togo.

  • Power To Youth and MenEngage Africa participate at the AIDS 2024 Conference

    Power To Youth and MenEngage Africa participate at the AIDS 2024 Conference

    The 2024 AIDS conference which took place in Munich, Germany from 22-26 July 2024, brought together global leaders, scientists, advocates, and communities under the theme Put People First! to advance progress towards the shared global goal of ending AIDS by 2030. Power To Youth Uganda hosted a workshop on designing gender positive interventions for HIV prevention in young people. MenEngage Africa examined how the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act is preventing LGBTQI+ persons from accessing HIV services and the role of MenEngage Uganda in helping them access these services. 

    Organised by the International AIDS Society Conference, AIDS 2024 exhibited innovative scientific advancements, tech-inclined, community-driven, and a collective of advocates and civil societies working to address key issues around access to the latest developments, and a renewed political and diplomatic commitment to maintaining an effective HIV response through people-centred approaches. The conference featured oral abstract sessions, invited-speaker sessions, workshops, pre-conference events, symposia sessions, satellite sessions, and poster presentations. 

    The Power To Youth session on designing gender positive interventions for HIV prevention in young people started off with a value clarification exercise to understand the value system of participants and give them an opportunity to self-interrogate on how these values can influence gender programming priorities for young people on HIV/AIDS related issues. It was also an opportunity for participants to be exposed to in perspectives and how this can impact on gender programming for young people. 

    Participants were then put in groups to share their ideas on qualities of gender programming that reflects and addresses the needs of young people. The group activities provided answers to the following submissions: 

    1. What comes to your mind when you think about gender programming for young people?
      Key highlights from participants indicated that, gender programming for youth should uphold equality and equity, inclusivity, data disaggregation, co-leadership between young people and respect diversity. Also, there is a need for such programming to be action-oriented with empowerment components. 
    2. What strategies has your organization utilized as regards gender programming for young people?The following strategies were enlisted by participants; community engagement, movement building for advocacy; inclusion of all dynamics; Sensitization and education initiatives; Self-care retreats; Peer to peer model; Collaborations and sharing of lessons. These strategies are used in their different organisations to ensure that young people are meaningfully engaged and have safe spaces to share their experiences. 
    3. What are the existing gaps and challenges your organization has faced as regards gender programming for young people? Participants acknowledged that there are existing gaps and challenges working with young people especially on issues related to HIV/AIDS. These include but are not limited to:
      • Lack of local leaders’ commitment.
      • Lack of sustainable solutions to go beyond the programme timeline.
      • Limited funding Stigma and discrimination.
      • Existing myths and misconception make implementation harder.
      • Project time frames are quite limiting.
      • Existing stereotypesPoor dissemination of gender lens guide.
      • Limited knowledge on gender programming.

    By the end of this workshop, participants committed to be more supportive of gender responsive programs and remain intentional in making sure the voices of young people are taken into consideration. 

    The MenEngage In-person poster presentation comprised of knowledge sharing with visitors at the poster stand on the discrimination faced by LGBTQI+ people in Uganda. On April 3, 2024, Uganda’s Constitutional Court upheld key provisions of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA). This criminalised and reinforced discrimination against the LGBTQI+ thus increasing their vulnerability. This has prevented them from freely accessing SRHR services, which goes against the 2030 goal of eradicating HIV/AIDS prevalence. It also demonstrates lack of inclusion and non-recognition of diversity in health care which is an inalienable human right. 

    Discussions at the poster presentation emphasised the urgent need to address the intersection of HIV and LGBTQ+ rights in the context of discriminatory legislation, while underscoring the role of organizations like MenEngage Uganda in upholding the health and dignity of LGBTI individuals living with HIV in Uganda.

    Major takeaways from the world’s biggest conference on AIDS pinpointed on; 

    • The Cure: inspiring stakeholders and people living with HIV to relentlessly keep on track and find a cure that works for everyone 
    • Leadership, policy and funding; the biggest limitation for eradicating HIV by 20230 is the drastic drop in funding. 370 representatives from over 45 countries came together to reinforce political commitment and diplomatic ties to put people first and harness more funding for ending HIV
    • DoxyPrEP and DoxyPEP; these terms echoed during the AIDS 2024 conference. “DoxyPrEP”  (doxycycline pre-exposure prophylaxis, the antibiotic taken before sex and “DoxyPEP” (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, the antibiotic taken after sex to prevent acquiring the virus and other sexually transmissible infections. 
    • Stigma, discrimination and criminalisation; these continue to impede progress towards HIV response with so much stigma experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS, discrimination and criminalisation of LBGTQI+ people like the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act and anti-gay legislation in Ghana preventing free access to HIV services. 
    • Long-Acting technologies; through long-acting injectables which offers an alternative to taking daily PrEP and overcome challenges in accessing daily medication. Gilead’s twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir is an example of a long-acting technology for prevention of HIV. UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima referred to it as a “miracle prevention tool.”  The pricing of lenacapavir raised concerns, as low- and middle-income countries cannot afford it. Amidst advocacy to make it more affordable at 100 USD and subsequently between 40-35USD, the high demand for Gilead’s lenacapavir also calls for mass production for generic lenacapavir under voluntary licensing. Outgoing IAS President Sharon Lewin stated during the closing ceremony, “breakthroughs in medicine are only meaningful when people who need those medicines can access them.”