GEMSA 16 Days of Activism Newsletter Issue 4
Date: November 30, 2004
SHARE:
Across the SADC region, governments have introduced laws, and instituted programmes of law reform to specifically address violence against women. In addition to national efforts, many governments have ratified regional and international declarations and conventions on gender violence. While these commitments should be applauded as they reflect a recognition that combating gender violence is a national priority, the gaps between the intention of laws and policies and their actual implementation is cause for concern.
|
E-Newsletter of the Gender and Media Southern Africa Network |
||
|
Produced daily during the Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, 2004 Issue 4, 30th November 2004 |
||
|
IN THIS ISSUE: · Overview · Today’s I story · Country activities Contact your Sixteen Day Campaign country representatives: Botswana: Keaybone Ntsabanye: Womens_ngo_coa@info.bw Kenya: Rosemary Okello: awcin@kenyaonline.co.za Lesotho: Fanyane Mathabang : Mauritius: Loga Virahsawmy: gonaz@intnet.mu Seychelles: Sharon Thelemaque: keraque@hotmail.com South Africa: Mothibi Mohomane: mothibi@genderlinks.org.za Swaziland: Ncane Maziya: smegwa2003@yahoo.com Zambia: Chileshe Kalasa: Kchileshe2000@yahoo.co.uk Zimbabwe: Loveness Jambaya: loveness@mmpz.org.zw Contact your GEMSA country representatives: Angola: Anacleta Pereira Botswana: Pamela Dube Lesotho: Mathabang Fanyane Malawi: Stella Mhura Mauritius: Loga Virahsawmy Mozambique: Jose Marciano Mubai Namibia: Sarry Xoagus- Eises Seychelles: Jean Claude Mantombe South Africa: Kubi Rama Swaziland: Phumelele Dlamini Tanzania: Rose Haji Zambia: Emmanuel Kasongo Zimbabwe: Loveness Jambaya Contact the GEMSA Executive Committee: Chair: Colleen Lowe Morna (South Africa) Deputy Chair: Emmanuel Kasongo (Zambia) Secretary: Tom Mapasela (Lesotho) We encourage you to send us alerts, news and any other information you think may be of interest to others. Media Institute of Southern Africa Gender Links |
Overview
Across the SADC region, governments have introduced laws, and instituted programmes of law reform to specifically address violence against women. In addition to national efforts, many governments have ratified regional and international declarations and conventions on gender violence. While these commitments should be applauded as they reflect a recognition that combating gender violence is a national priority, the gaps between the intention of laws and policies and their actual implementation is cause for concern. Progressive legislation and law reform are ineffectual if the conditions for proper implementation do not exist. Women’s rights to for example obtaining a protection order against an abusive partner are often compromised by (in some cases) the long distance to getting to a police station and the attitudes of police officials who are meant to be assisting her. The discrepancies between women’s rights guaranteed on paper and our lived realities are glaringly obvious. Developing a legislative and policy framework to address gender violence is important, but if not accompanied by adequate resources and training for those charged with implementation, they become ineffectual. * Remember to join today’s cyber dialogue at: www.cyberdialogues.co.za * Sign the petition calling on governments to ratify the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa by going to: www.pambazuka.org Today’s I’ story Free at last By Martha Seloane For the past two months my children and I have gone to bed knowing that we are safe. We’ve slept peacefully, without fear of the possibility of being woken up to fists and harsh words, of being chased into the street and locked out of the house in the middle of the night. My children and I are finally free. Read the full story at: https://www.genderlinks.org.za/gemcomm/gemcomm.asp?cid=86 BotswanaGaborone: Statistics released by Police Superintendent Melore, representing five policing areas in Gaborone show that 15 women have been murdered and 175 were raped between January to 17 November 2004. Given that these figures represent only one particular area in the city of Gaborone, it is certainly cause for alarm. The information was released at a press briefing held to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. At the same briefing Boitumelo Hahn, a social worker and counselor at the Women’s Shelter Project in Botswana reminded all present that the Beijing Platform for Action notes that violence against women is a violation of women’s basic human rights, and hinders the realisation of equality, development and peace. Organisations in Botswana have undertaken various activities in their work towards ending gender violence. This includes a study conducted on incest by WLSA; the establishment of a place of safety for Abused Women and the publication of a booklet titled “Know your law: by the Women’s NGO Coalition and Ditshwanelo, the Botswana Centre for human Rights. Activities during the 16 Days Campaign will focus on the following critical areas of concern:
(By Kaebonye Ntsabane) Lesotho Preparations are in full swing for the International Aids Day commemoration which the Lesotho government rotates from district to district each year. This year it will take place in Mohale’s Hoek, a rural southern district of the country. Media and Arts Watch Association (MAWA) has been asked by the first lady Mathato Mosisili to mark and judge winners for a competition her office organised for students to write essays, poetry and art on the theme “HIV/AIDS and girls” – the theme for this year’s world AIDS day celebrations. MAWA has produced certificates for the students which will be awarded out to outstanding students by His Majesty King Letsie III. (By Fanyane Mathabang) MauritiusA discussion on gender and HIV/AIDS was held at the Centre de Solidarite today where Dr. Saumtally who presented statistics on the extent to which HIV infection is occurring amongst women. In another presentation methods of engendering the budget were explored. The awareness campaign in Rodrigues continues in full swing. Lupus Alert, an organisation that has 400 members has brought it to the attention of Media Watch organisation that violence against women also affects women who are suffering from lupus – a condition affecting the skin. Ninety-five percent of people affected by Lupus in the organisation are women. As part of its 16 Days of Activism Campaign initiatives, a company called Rogers is sponsoring health cards to 200 people affected by Lupus. (By Loga Virahsawmy) Namibia 30 November (NAMPA): A coalition of Namibian civil society organisations launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence under the theme “All Human Rights for All” and “Peace Begins at home” in the capital Windhoek this morning. Namibia will mark 10 Days of Activism this year. Speaking at the launch, Director of the Legal Assistance Centre, Normal Tjombe said not everybody enjoys basic human rights. He added that a growing number of children are being pushed to live on the streets by circumstances beyond their control. Read the full story at: https://www.genderlinks.org.za/networks/newsletter.asp?nid=9
South Africa Focus turned to legislation in South Africa today as the cyber dialogues looked at the role legislation plays in efforts towards ending gender violence. Speakers at the live discussion included Sheila Meintjes, chair of the Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre; Nozuko Nkewuse a legal advisor at People Opposing Women Abuse; Advocate Tsidi Kambula from the National Prosecuting Authority; Patricia Khumalo director of SHEP and Danaline Franzman a senior complaints officer from the Commission on Gender Equality. Participants had questions about the legal remedies and channels they had available when trying to protect themselves against abusive partners. Information was also provided regarding what to do when members of the criminal justice system such as police and prosecutors, do not take cases of gender violence seriously. Participants were told that they could lay complaints about officials through the Independent Complaints Directorate. View a summary of the cyber dialogue discussion at: www.cyberdialogues.co.za and following the link from “Audit of legislation” Swaziland For the first time in the history of Swaziland, men have decided to take their rightful positions to declare war on violence against women and children. The Swaziland Prime Minister, Themba Dlamini set a precedent when he called on Swazi men to begin soul searching regarding the continued abuse of women and children in Swaziland. Read the full story at: https://www.genderlinks.org.za/networks/newsletter.asp?nid=8 In Zambia today Zambia Media Watch participated in a radio programme that was aired on the national radio, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC). The programme focused on how gender and HIV/AIDS affects women and children. Zambia Police spokesperson Chrispin Kapela and Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) programme officer Mrs. Lungu also participated in the talk show. ZAMWATCH was represented by Chileshe Kalasa while the children were represented by a young girl from Munali secondary school. Kalasa gave a background to the 16 Days of Activism while Kapela talked about the law enforcement agencies’ efforts in curbing gender based violence through convictions of the perpetrators. Kapela said police officers would continue participating in the 16 Days of Activism through sensitising people that violence against women and children was a crime. Mrs. Lungu called for stiffer laws that would deal with gender based violence. She observed that the existing laws failed to address violence against women and children. The young girl asked society to recognise girl children as future mothers, whose rights need to be protected. (By Brighton Phiri) Write to us: admin@genderlinks.org.za Send us information on what activities are taking place in your country. |
|
Connect with us
Comment on GEMSA 16 Days of Activism Newsletter Issue 4