Sonke and Promundo launch online portal on men and HIV to support global efforts to increase men’s use of HIV services
Sonke Gender Justice, and Promundo are excited to launch a new online resource developed with support from UNAIDS: a web-based portal on men and HIV. The portal contains up to date research and data on the state of men’s HIV access to and utilisation of HIV services, men’s health outcomes, and a comprehensive set of […]
Men can end sexual harassment
Sexual harassment in the workplace is varied and prevalent in Uganda and there must be stronger commitment to address this illicit act. For far too long, women have been subject to gender-based discrimination and violence in the workplace. The recent allegations of sexual harassment being reported in various media platforms underpin a much larger issue […]
Constitutional Court to hear JICS independence case on 3 March 2020
On 3 March 2020, the confirmation proceedings in the case of Sonke Gender Justice v President and Others will be heard in the Constitutional Court. The hearing follows the Western Cape High Court decision of Boqwana J of 5 September 2019, wherein certain sections of the Correctional Services Act 11 of 1998 were declared unconstitutional. It is […]
A grass-roots intervention to end FGM in North-West Cameroon
Mother of Hope Cameroon (MOHCAM), a member organisation of the MenEngage Africa Youth structure in Cameroon, shares their experience working with traditional leaders to end female genital mutilation in some Muslim communities in the North West Region of the country.
Kenya MenEngage Alliance nominated for DIAR award
MenEngage Africa Alliance is very proud of Kenya MenEngage Alliance (KEMEA) for being nominated to receive an award in the national Diversity and Inclusion Awards and Recognition in Kenya. In this conversation with Khopotso Bodibe, Communications and Media Specialist for MenEngage Africa Alliance, Elias Muindi, Programme Officer for KEMEA, tells us more about the award. […]
Our work is about deconstructing masculinity
“In our quest to achieve gender equality, we must be guided by the principle that our mission as MenEngage Africa (MEA) Alliance is to deconstruct masculinity. It’s not about creating a men’s and boys’ club. Ours is a platform to hold ourselves as men – as well as other men – accountable and to challenge […]
22 African countries converge to promote gender equality
This article was originally written for News Agency of Nigeria by Justina Auta Mr Hassan Sekajoolok, the Chairperson, MenEngage Africa (MEA), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), says gender inequality has posed great risk to the economic and developmental achievements of Africa. He said this at a two-day meeting of representatives of 22 African countries on Thursday […]
Gender equality will stimulate development in Africa – Swedish Envoy
This article was originally written for News Agency of Nigeria By Justina Auta Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Carl-Michael Grans, says gender equality is a means to stimulate more development in African. Grans said this while declaring open the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Men Engage Africa (MEA) a Non-Governmental Organisation, in Abuja on Wednesday. […]
MenEngage Africa AGM – opening remarks made by Swedish ambassador to Nigeria
The Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Carl-Michael Grans, gave the opening address at the MenEngage Africa (MEA) Alliance Annual General Meeting (AGM), which opened in Abuja, Nigeria, today (12 February 2020). In his opening remarks, the ambassador emphasised that gender equality is not about being fair to women only, but he pointed out that […]
Speech by the Chairperson MenEngage Africa at the opening of MenEngage Africa Annual General Meeting 2020 in Abuja Nigeria
MenEngage Africa Alliance chairperson, Hassan Sekajoolo, called on alliance members to double their efforts as they continue working with men and boys to promote gender equality. He also called on members to strengthen their work with women’s rights organisations so that, together, we move towards fast-tracking the attainment of gender equality in Africa. Sekajoolo was […]
First ever MenEngage Madagascar Symposium
MenEngage Madagascar is pleased to announce that it will host its first ever Symposium on March 27th 2020. The Symposium will bring together over 100 specialists to address issues related to gender and masculinity under the theme: “Men and boys for gender equality”. The Symposium’s overall aim is to promote the value of involving men […]
Involvement of men and tough action by African leaders needed to end FGM
Thursday, 6th February, marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a procedure that partially or totally removes a female’s external genitalia, causing irreparable and irreversible harm, as well as life-long health and psychological complications. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that about 200 million girls and women alive today […]
New co-leadership team calls for renewed collaboration and commitment for gender justice in 2020 and beyond
MenEngage Africa congratulates Bafana Khumalo, who served as our chairperson in our formative years, on being appointed as the new co-chair of the MenEngage Alliance Global Board.
Sonke calls on Deputy President David Mabuza and the Presidency to denounce homophobic and transphobic laws across the continent
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) wishes to unequivocally condemn recent remarks by Deputy President, David Mabuza in respect of the potential revival of homophobic laws in Uganda. It has been reported that Uganda may re-introduce the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that seeks to impose the death penalty for same-sex sexual conduct. In terms of existing laws from the […]
Sonke Gender Justice mourns the loss of veteran broadcaster Xolani Gwala
Today Sonke Gender Justice pays its respects to seasoned broadcaster Xolani Gwala. We are profoundly saddened by the news of his passing after a two year long battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news to his 702 colleagues and listeners this morning. Born in 1975 at Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal, ‘XG’ or Bra X as he […]
Sonke and #UniteBehind will have a joint action to highlight the issues of GBV and women and children’s safety on public transport
The action, taking place at the tail end of transport month on the 31st October 2019 at the Cape Town Station will see activists, public transport commuters and other road users share their experiences and converging to demand authorities to address their collective concerns. The action will be followed by a march to parliament, where […]
Convicted Dros rapist Nicholas Ninow showed no remorse for his actions and sought to evade accountability on the basis of his abuse of drugs and alcohol
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) welcomes the judgment of the Pretoria High Court handed down on 17 October, which sentenced convicted child rapist, Nicholas Ninow, to life imprisonment. Ninow was also sentenced to 5 years for drug possession and defeating the ends of justice, which will run concurrently with the life sentence. Crime Statistics for the […]
Launch of the Decriminalisation of Petty By-Laws Campaign in South Africa
Today, World Homeless Day, marks the official launch of a civil society campaign to decriminalise poverty-related by-laws in South Africa. We reject the effective criminalisation of poverty through municipal by-laws currently targeting the poor and the most marginalised in South Africa. Various South African municipalities enforce by-laws criminalising or penalising conduct related to the performance […]
Tribute to fallen champion of women’s & children’s rights in Tanzania
In the passing on of Sabas Masawe in the early hours of 26th September 2019, Tanzania has lost a champion in the struggle for women’s and children’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Until the time of his death, Masawe was the Executive Director of Dogodogo Centre, which works to influence […]
NGOs advance girls’ access to sexual & reproductive health rights and services – through engaging boys and men
“I used to live in a way that I did not know would negatively impact me and put my life at risk. I smoked marijuana every day with a group of young men in my village. We had a secret location where we would meet at 10 pm every evening to smoke weed. I was […]
Kwakha Indvodza on a mission to improve men’s health-seeking behaviours
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes in sub-Saharan Africa have been reporting that a disproportionately higher number of women are on treatment compared to men. Compared to women, men are less likely to go for HIV testing, less likely to start ART, more likely to start ART with advanced HIV disease and at older ages – and, […]
Sonke Gender Justice calls on the government to take effective and pragmatic steps to combat the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide
Sonke Gender Justice is calling on the government to take effective and pragmatic steps to combat the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. Sonke welcomes the decision by the SA legislature to set up time in parliament for a debate on the scourge of GBV and femicides. Given the gravity of this situation we trust […]
Landmark moment for child rights in South Africa
Joint press release by respondents and amici curiae in the case of Freedom of Religion South Africa v Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development & others [Children’s Institute (UCT); Quaker Peace Centre; Sonke Gender Justice; Centre for Child Law; The Parent Centre; Global Initiative to End All Forms of Corporal Punishment of Children; Dullah Omar […]
Recurring attacks of non-nationals of African descent in South Africa must be dealt with urgently!
It is of major concern that South Africa continues to be the site of persecution of fellow Africans from other parts of the continent. Cross-border long distance truck drivers transporting goods to, and through, South Africa have been under attack from locals in recent weeks. The economic capital, Johannesburg, came to a stand-still when businesses […]
