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Mail & Guardian

Sonke Gender Justice

latest news & developments
Alcohol causes many social problems, requiring the revival of the Liquor Amendment Bill.
AB INBEV

Profits before people: How the liquor industry undermines reforms

The Liquor Amendment Bill needs to be revived to tackle the social problems created by alcohol

  • Phindile Kunene
6 min read
In the wake of a rise in reported cases of sexual violence in schools, including the allegedly rape of a seven-year-old girl, civil society and government leaders are calling for urgent and systemic reform of how schools protect pupils. (Getty)
BERGEVIEW COLLEGE

Civil society demands action on sexual violence in schools

The department of basic education said it would take additional steps to vet teachers against the national register for sex offenders

  • Umamah Bakharia
5 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the bill into law in January and it came into effect on 31 July.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SOUTH AFRICA

Nonprofit takes Ramaphosa’s government to court over Sexual Offences Act amendments

The group says the amended law ‘further victimises rape victims and survivors by protecting perpetrators based on their unreasonable states of mind’

  • Eunice Masson
3 min read
Fathers argue that section 25 to 27 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act is discriminatory because the leave is too little for them to participate in childcare. (Photo by Maud Dupuy / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP)
ALTRON

Limpopo couple lodges civil action with labour department for equal parenting leave and benefits

Fathers argue that section 25 to 27 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act is discriminatory because the leave is too little for them to participate in childcare

  • Mandisa Ndlovu
3 min read
ABAHLALI BASEMJONDOLO
Video

Where are the anti-racism accountability bodies?

The field of such NGOs is crowded but who and what are they holding to account and who are they mollycoddling?

  • Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh
6 min read
The supreme court of appeal on Wednesday upheld the state’s appeal to the controversial acquittal of a paramedic accused of raping his girlfriend in the case of S v Coko.
CHILDREN S ACT

Father takes battle for daughter’s custody to supreme court of appeal

The man wants to be reunited with his child, who went to her grandparents after her mother died

  • Mokgadi Mogy Mashako
7 min read
It is estimated that one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime. (Photo by Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
BHEKI CELE

Maintenance payments used to coerce, manipulate, and punish women – it’s also violence

Sonke Gender Justice points finger at fathers who withhold maintenance payments to coerce, manipulate, and punish the mothers of their children

  • Eunice Masson
4 min read
Roots Butchery in Acornhoek where Gloria Sekome and Danboy Nkuna both worked. (Dylan Bush)
ACORNHOEK

‘None of us are okay’: Frustration as South Africa’s GBV initiatives stall

SA is in a rush to roll out its national GBV action plan. But as bureaucracy and the pandemic slow progress, violence against women continues unabated

  • Joan Van Dyk
15 min read
As well as physical violence, domestic abuse can take many different shapes and forms — sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions — most of which often end up escalating to serious physical aggression, according to experts. (Oupa Nkosi)
ABUSE

Violence raises the urgent need for more health services

South Africa has one of the highest rates of violence inflicted on women and girls in the world

  • Angelica Pino
4 min read
CENTRE FOR CHILD LAW

Landmark moment for children’s rights in South Africa

The constitutionality of corporal punishment in the home will be determined by the apex court

  • Staff Reporter
4 min read
Paternity disputes are common in cases involving minors. (File photo)
ACDP

Working dads can now take paternity leave for 10 days

In addition to paternity benefits, the act will see UIF benefits for workers losing their jobs increase from eight to 12 months

  • Riaan Grobler
2 min read
NGO coalition asks Achmat to ‘step back’
DORON ISAACS

NGO coalition asks Achmat to ‘step back’

Decision follows allegations that Achmat covered up sexual harassment claims

  • Raeesa Pather
6 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
CARL COLLISON

No ‘culture of silence’, says Sonke

Social justice sector moves from exceptionalism to introspection about same-sex harassment

  • Carl Collison
7 min read
Both Section27 and Sonke Gender Justice released statements saying they would revise their sexual harassment policies
EQUAL EDUCATION

NGOs tighten up on sexual harassment policies

Organisations in the sector have vowed to review their policies on sexual misconduct

  • Rumana Akoob
1 min read
Scenes from Falz’s remake of ‘This is America’ titled ‘This is Nigeria’
GENDER VIOLENCE
Video

One in three sex workers surveyed report being sexually abused by police

Sex workers tell of being tortured, including being beaten with sjamboks.

  • Pontsho Pilane
7 min read