Sonke Gender Justice is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation that has established a growing presence on the African continent and plays an active role internationally. Sonke works to create the change necessary for men, women, young people and children to enjoy equitable, healthy and happy relationships that contribute to the development of just and democratic societies.
Sonke pursues this goal across Southern Africa by using a human rights framework to build the capacity of governments, civil society organisations and citizens to achieve gender equality, prevent gender-based violence and reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of Aids.
The organisation says: “Sonke believes women and men can work together to achieve gender transformation. Gender equality is not a zero sum proposition. When we challenge restrictive and prescriptive gender norms, we free women and men from the pressures and pain they cause.
“We recognise that a growing number of women and girls, men and boys are deeply concerned about the impact that rape and domestic violence have on health, human rights and democracy and increasingly recognise that male privilege is unfair and anti-democratic and comes with a set of predictable costs to women and men.
“We work with women and men to resist patriarchy, and to advocate for gender justice. We build on their positive instincts and provide them with tools to work alongside women to challenge gender injustice in their communities.”