SAHRC Investigation Welcomed by LGBTI Organisations
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, the Durban Gay and Lesbian Community Centre and the Sonke Gender Justice welcome the steps taken by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate statements allegedly made by King Goodwill Zwelithini at the 133rd annual celebrations of the historic Battle of Isandlwana, where the heroic Zulu army […]
A conversation on LGBTI rights, homophobia, sexual and reproductive health and rights
Sonke Gender Justice has been asked by the Swedish Embassy to convene a gathering of civil society organisations and actors involved in LGBTI issues in South Africa. This request forms part of the Embassy’s government to government deliberations on Human Rights to take place in Pretoria in February. The Swedish Embassy is currently convening two […]
NGOs Call on Parliament to Appoint CGE Commissioners who will deliver on the CGE’s mandate
This week Parliament holds public interviews to fill the long vacant seats of commissioners in the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). The CGE has been in disarray for years and has failed to deliver on its mandate to promote gender equality.
An open letter to Parliament on the appointment of new CGE commissioners
Sonke and partner organisations submitted a letter to the Parliamentary committee interviewing candidates for the new Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) commissioners, pledging our support for the CGE, proposing interview questions, and stating our intention to hold the Commission accountable to deliver on its mandate. Read more…
Civil Society demands an effective Commission for Gender Equality
This week Parliament holds public interviews to fill the long vacant seats of commissioners in the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). The CGE has been in disarray for years and has failed to deliver on its mandate to promote gender equality. It is an organization with a budget of R60 million and weighty powers vested […]
Zille: Stigmatizing pregnant girls is not the solution
Helen Zille’s suggestion that men who have unprotected sex with younger girls should be charged with culpable homicide was rightfully condemned as nonsensical, populist and just bad public health. Zille’s recent comments about teenage pregnancy generated less controversy but, in our opinion, were just as problematic. As part of her and her party’s experiments with […]
Sonke receives two major international affirmations for its work to end violence against women
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke), is excited to announce two major international affirmations for the organisations work to end men’s violence against women and also rated by 80 leaders in the field as one of the top performing organisations working globally to end violence against women. As a relatively new organisation working across Africa to strengthen […]
Seasons Greetings
From all of us at Sonke, we wish you strength and solidarity in your efforts to bring about justice and equality in 2012. We acknowledge with deep gratitude everyone who made our successes possible this year – our committed community action team members, our many partners in South Africa and across the globe, our dedicated […]
Victory for Refugees in Johannesburg
Sonke is very pleased at the important North Gauteng High Court ruling to keep the a refugee reception office in Johannesburg open. Congratulations to our colleagues Lawyers for Human Rights for taken on this vital matter. You can read more here.
Breederiver Welcomes Sonke to the Platteland
“The wind is part and parcel of the city, so today Worcester welcomes you all.” The wind, always a sign of change, swept through the veld of the Breede valley, a reminder to keep shaking things up, to refuse stagnation – an attitude mirrored by the energy and commitment of the speakers and participants at […]
Global Acknowledgement of Sonke’s Human Rights Work
Good news just in from the French Embassy. We were selected as one of six organisations globally to be distinguished by the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights. It’s an enormous honour — and really nice to receive at the end of this incredibly busy 16 Days of Activism. It reflects the tremendously hard […]
My Dad Can: Entry from Port Elizabeth
My Dad Can entries are still coming into the office and we are slowing but surely working our way through the large pile of forms which have already arrived. One that just jumped out at us yesterday was this one from a youngster in Port Elizabeth: My Dad Can… Put a smile on my face […]
One Man Can: A Poem
Hey! Do you know that one man can? This is the great Sonke slo-gan! But what does it mean? What a man can? Simply a man can have a good plan A plan which helps him to do what is right, to fight injustice, to be like a knight. A plan to show him the meaning […]
Sonke Signs Call to Action to Preserve the Global Fund
The cancellation by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria of all new programming until 2014 is unacceptable. This decision will cost lives and cripple international efforts to deliver on health-related goals, breaking promises made to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, and punishing the Global Fund’s success of the last ten […]
Global launch of the MenCare campaign
The launch of the MenCare campaign was a celebration of fatherhood, and a festive gathering of people committed to engaging men across the world in becoming more involved in the care of children. The magnificent House of Sweden building in Washington DC was an ideal setting for the launch. Mostly composed of wood and glass […]
MMC Taxis take to the streets
Less Skin, We Win! That’s the message that commuters in Cape Town and Johannesburg are getting when they take their taxi ride into work today as taxis branded with the new Sonke Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) campaign messages took to the streets, encouraging young men in the Western Cape and Gauteng to get circumcised. Reaching […]
The UNiTE to End Violence against Women Film Festival
To coincide with the annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign, UNDP and UNFPA in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, Ministry of women, Children and persons with disabilities, The Films and Publications Board (FPB), Nayanaya Pictures and several Embasies are hosting a 16 Days of Activism Film Festival entitled; From the Bedroom to […]
SAMAG National Men’s Health Summit
Just over two hundred men from across the length and breadth of South Africa gathered on the 7th and 8th of July this year at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria. The men came together at the invitation of the South African Men’s Action Group (SAMAG) to discuss issues of men’s health. Experts and activists […]
The Republic of Zambia adopts Brothers For Life Campaign
KABWE, Zambia, 18 October 2011 – The National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council has distributed more than 30,000 Brothers for Life posters and brochures to its provincial and district officials nationwide. “It is critically important that Brothers for Life reaches the community level, the grassroots,” said Bishop Joshua Banda, Chairman of Zambia’s National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council. “I am pleased […]
NSP Men’s Sector Draft Submission
The HIV, STI and TB National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2012-2016 is the culmination of extensive review of documentation, consultation and deliberation with a wide range of stakeholders over several months. These processes were key in determining the strategic priorities in dealing particularly with the dual epidemics of HIV and TB in South Africa. The South […]
The National Strategic Plan must recognise Medical Male Circumcision in all Provinces
Know your Male Circumcision Facts! The SANAC Men’s Sector Policy Summit recommended that the NSP 2012-2016 should recognize both Medical Male Circumcision and the scale up of Traditional Circumcision Act in all provinces. What is male circumcision? Male circumcision is the surgical complete removal of the foreskin covering the end of the penis so as […]
Brothers For Life Radio Talk Shows
In partnership with Brothers for Life, SABC Education is currently broadcasting a 26-part interactive talk show series dealing with the advancement of family health. Using the Brothers for Life messaging and positive approach, the show focuses on men’s health and men’s responsibilities in improving their family’s health. The show is part of the multi platform […]
SANAC Progress Report
Our first Men’s Sector newsletter reported on two progressive Men’s Sector districts in South Africa – Sekhukhune, in Limpopo province, and OR Tambo District in the Eastern Cape. Recently OR Tambo district hosted Eastern Cape Men’s Prayer Event which was attended by 400 men from all over the province. Limpopo held an historic Men’s Imbizo […]
RFSU: Great ideas and great resources
During a visit from one of our funding partners, Sweden’s RFSU, we learnt about the large range of activities, projects and resources that this fascinating donor is involved in. Sustainable Funding: Condoms & Sex Toys In order to ensure that they have sufficient funds for their activities, RFSU developed a company, RFSU Ltd, that sells […]
