Statement on the death of initiates in Mpumalanga
The reported deaths of 27 initiates at government-registered initiation sites in the past two weeks in the Nkangala district towns of Evander, Middelburg, Belfast, Kwaggafontein, Siyabuswa, Verena and KwaMhlanga is the final straw. For far too long, the deaths of young initiates at traditional initiation schools have gone neglected and this approach is unacceptable. The […]
Sonke endorses WGPD submission on corporal punishment in the home
The National Department of Social Development in South Africa has been receiving submissions on a discussion paper about the issue of corporal punishment in the home. The paper included several differing opinions ranging from support for the complete banning of corporal punishment, to the argument that corporal punishment can be accepted if it is applied […]
Commemorating International Family Day
Free State Men’s Sector On 15 May Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality commemorated the International Family Day at Thaba Bosiu Tribal Hall with different stakeholders. Free State Men sector was represented as it had to deliver a talk about the role of men in ensuring stability in families. The Men sector speech focused on “Men as good […]
Report from the Desk of the Secretariat Coordinator
National Men’s Sector Recently the secretariat audited the men’s sector at all levels in trying to understand our influence in terms of advocacy and social mobilization. The men’s sector is growing by leaps and bounds in the provinces. The visibility of member organisations and campaigns at district level has also increased and for that reason […]
ZAZI Campaign
On 25 May 2013 the South African National AIDS Council Women’s Sector (‘SANAC WS’) launched the Zazi campaign. This campaign is lead by the SANAC WS and is supported by USAID/JHU HIV and PEPFAR. Zazi is an nguni word that stands for know yourself; the campaign encourages women and girls to “draw on their inner […]
Q and A Feature with Mmapaseka “Steve” Letsike
Mmapaseka “Steve” Letsike is the chairperson of the Civil Society Forum of the South African National AIDS Council (‘SANAC’) and is also the Advocacy and Training Manager for the NGO—Anova Health Institute. The Civil Society Forum was established in 2012 to strengthen the civil society sector’s participation within SANAC through the leadership and constituencies of […]
Dying to be Men
This month the Men’s sector is supporting the Department of Health on the re-launch of Medical Male Circumcision (MMC). As we continue to mobilize men and boys to sign up for this important intervention in the compendium of combination strategies we pause and ponder the recent tragic deaths of young people in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. […]
National Men’s Dialogue attended by Deputy President Kgalema Mothlante
The SANAC men’s sector is preparing a programme to mobilise a million men in South Africa to be actively involved in programmes aimed at stopping the spread of gender based violence, following the men’s dialogue in which 200 men participated, convened by Deputy President Motlanthe to address the spread of gender based violence in South […]
SANAC Men’s Sector Foreword
This edition of the South African National AIDS Council Men’s Sector Newsletter is the second for the year 2013 and covers a number of significant events over the last three months. On 16 April 2013, men from across the nation gathered in Johannesburg, Gauteng to take a stand against gender-based violence (‘GBV’). This was done […]
MenEngage Africa Newsletter Issue 4
The MenEngage Africa Newsletter Issue 4 has been published! From the editorial: For this issue of the MenEngage Africa newsletter, we want to draw attention to the damaging effect that GBV continues to have in our communities but also to highlight the inspirational work that is being done by individuals and organisations to combat gender-based […]
Die Burger covers Sonke’s OMC Beyond the Bars Group
South Africa’s leading Afrikaans newspaper, Die Burger, has published an article covering Sonke’s Beyond the Bars One Man Can group. The story follows Thandisizwe, one of the leading members of the Beyond the Bars team. It includes a poem, in English, by Thandisizwe. Die Burger: Die Hoop en Verskrikking van Vryheid
Invitation to Justice for Breakfast: Round Table on Criminal Justice Oversight Bodies
South Africa’s criminal justice system has a number of institutional checks and balances, designed to monitor and ensure optimal operation of the system as a whole. Oversight bodies perform a crucial part of these checks and balances by assessing, investigating and taking action on complaints; monitoring the performance of criminal justice actors; and providing a […]
Sonke and the Finnish Embassy in SA sign agreement to prevent sexual and gender-based violence
On 30 April, 2013 Sonke, represented by its Deputy Director Mr Desmond Lesejane, and the government of Finland, represented by the Ambassador of Finland to South Africa, Mr. Petri Salo, signed a cooperation agreement that will see our organization implementing a two-year advocacy project entitled: “Holding Key Government Departments and the Commission for Gender Equality […]
UNTF to end violence against women
The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women has released its Global Annual Report for 2012. Page 11 highlights Sonke’s work in an interview with David Tamba of the Men’s Association for Gender Equality, Sierra Leone. The report gives valuable insight on the work of UNTF grantees worldwide and provides ideas on innovative interventions […]
SANAC’s Inaugural Newsletter
The South African National AIDS Council has published its inaugural newsletter. With this document SANAC aims to share up-to-date news and information on the latest developments at SANAC with regard to its mandate of supporting the implementation and roll-out of the National Strategic Plan. Download SANAC News, April 2013
Sonke to participate in round-table discussion on gender justice and reconciliation in SA
Sonke has accepted an invitation from the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation to participate in a roundtable discussion this Friday 26 April, entitled Filling the Gap: Towards Gender Justice and Reconciliation in South Africa and Africa. The IJR has issued an open invitation to any interested parties who would like to attend. Download the Invitation to IJR […]
SANAC and Brothers for Life dialogue on prevention of GBV attended by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe
The SANAC men’s sector is preparing a programme to mobilise a million men in South Africa to be actively involved in programmes aimed at stopping the spread of gender based violence, following the men’s dialogue in which 200 men participated, convened by Deputy President Motlanthe to address the spread of gender based violence in South […]
Sonke submits comments on the Commission on Gender Equality Amendment Bill
As part of its work within the Commission for Gender Equality Monitor, Sonke has joined a collective of civil society organisations to submit comments to the National Assembly on the Commission on Gender Equality Amendment Bill. » Download the Submission on the CGE Act Amendment Bill » Download the CGE Monitor Concept Note » Download the Commission for Gender […]
Sonke on Radio 702 News to discuss Free State police brutality case
Sonke appeared on the Radio 702 news, urging the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to thoroughly probe the attack of a woman by an off-duty police officer in the Free State. Listen to the clip
Call for survivors of prison rape
Do you know survivors of prisoner rape who may be interested in participating in a public-awareness project? Just Detention International (JDI) and Sonke creating a project working with survivors of prisoner rape. The purpose is to raise public awareness of the realities of rape behind bars and the enormous obstacles facing survivors in the aftermath […]
Brothers 4 Life Supports MMC and Fatherhood Event in Zola Emndeni
Brown Bottle Entertainment (BBE) embarked on a massive door-to-door campaign targeting the Zola Emndeni area on 1 April 2013. This activity was supported by Brothers For Life, with more than 60 men participating. The men gathered at Zola Clinic at 10am then moved around the community to promote Male Medical Circumcision and the Fatherhood dialogue, […]
South African and international partners pledge to increase services for survivors of sexual violence
Sonke joins national and international partner organisations in launching the Increasing Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault Programme. The programme brings together local and international partners all aimed at addressing the current pandemic of sexual and gender based violence affecting the country. Download the Press Release: Press Statement on Launch of the ISSSAP Programme
Sonke’s prison work highlighted in Mail & Guardian
South Africa’s weekly Mail & Guardian newspaper has highlighted Sonke’s work in prisons in an article on 28 March 2013 about the prevalence of sexual assault in prisons. Sexual Assault in Jail is Common
Two newspaper articles on fatherhood featuring Sonke
Sonke’s work on positive, involved fatherhood with MenCare was featured in two full-page newspaper articles on March 27th, one in Pretoria News and one in The Star. » South Africa is a Nation of Deadbeat Dads and the Fallout Hurts Us All – The Star » The Very Model of a Modern Father – Pretoria News
