Gender Justice Barometer, Issue 16: July 2007
Date: July 29, 2009
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Southern Africa
Gender Justice Barometer
Issue 16: July 2007
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The Gender Justice Barometer is a joint project of Gender Links and the Gender and Media Southern Africa (GEMSA) Network
  IN THIS ISSUE:
In this issue:
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
1. Swaziland: Swazis craft a National Action Plan to End Gender Violence
2. Namibia: National Conference on Gender Based Violence
3.Regional: Action will make SADC Gender Protocol commitments a reality
4. Mauritius: Time to focus the gender lens on local government
5. South Africa: Rise in hate crime a cause for concern
6. LEGISLATION
*Madagascar: UNICEF Congratulates the Government of Madagascar on Two New Laws
*South Africa: Justice delayed is justice denied
* Africa: 10 African Leaders Call for Safe, Legal Abortion
7. INTEGRATED APPROACHES AND BUDGETARY ALLOCATIONS
*Mauritius: Budget to create opportunities for women
*Global: Show Us The Money: Is Violence Against Women On The HIV & AIDS Donor Agenda?
8. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FACTORS
*Swaziland: Empowering women to beat abuse
*Global: Discrimination and inequality jeopardize the Millennium Development Goals
*Zimbabwe: Report Child Abuse Cases, Women Told
9.OPINION AND ANALYSIS
*Tanzania: Women excel with opportunities, not pity
*Lesotho: Lesotho fertile ground for human traffickers
10. ANNOUNCEMENT: SPI-MAP HIV and AIDS and Gender Media Awards
Lesotho: Lesotho fertile ground for human traffickers We encourage your feedback, comments and information you would like us to include. Send an email to:
Loveness Jambaya-Nyakujarah
justice@genderlinks.org.za
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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
1. Swaziland: Swazis craft a National Action Plan to End Gender Violence
Swaziland has become the fifth SADC country to develop a draft National Action Plan to End Gender Violence after Namibia, Mauritius, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
The workshop that took place from 27 À“ 29 June 2007 was convened by Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA), Gender and Media Southern Africa Network À“ Swaziland (GEMSWA) and Gender Links (GL) and the Gender Unit in the Ministry of Home Affairs. It aimed to build upon a 2006 Gender Based Violence (GBV) situational analysis and GBV campaign launched in April 2007.
Moving beyond the launched awareness raising campaign the action plan provides specific targets, timeframes, outputs and budget over a three year period and allocates responsibilities for achieving this. The action plan, which will be launched during the Sixteen Days of Activism in 2007, includes a coordinating structure for ensuring that all sectors of society are mobilized in the fight against gender violence.
The workshop was officially opened by the Principal Secretary, Misheck Shongwe in the Ministry of Home Affairs. Two survivors of GBV and one counsellor also participated in crafting the action plan. Click here for Swaziland Draft National Action Plan
2. Namibia: National Conference on Gender Based Violence held
Actions and not words are needed to end gender violence in the country. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare will be working closely with line ministries on recommendations from a four day Gender Based Violence (GBV) conference and make a submission to cabinet. Line ministries will also discuss ways on how the proposed recommendations can be included into their next annual budget. Approximately 350 delegates from all 13 regions in Namibia gathered for a four day National Conference on GBV which ran from 19 -22 June 2007 organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare with assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
A workshop convened by GEMSA-Namibia and Gender Links in July 2006 to extend the 16 Days awareness raising and advocacy campaign by developing a National Action Plan, key stakeholders including NGOs, government officials and UN agencies identified key interventions that need to be implemented throughout the year. One of the resolutions was that a National Conference on Gender Based Violence be held. After much lobbying and advocacy by different strategic partners the conference became a reality. GEMSA Namibia was represented on the planning committee.
Officially opened by the President of Namibia, the conference concluded that action and not words were needed end gender violence. GEMSA Namibia launched a publication, ‘I storiesÀ which is a compilation of first hand accounts of survivors of GBV at the conference which was well received. The process of writing their own stories has always been argued as therapeutic for survivors of GBV and gives the human face to the discussion.
A full report on the conference deliberations and outcomes will be issued by the Ministry of Gender Equality once it has been finalised.
3. Regional: Action will make SADC Gender Protocol commitments a reality
By Pamela Mhlanga
All indications are that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State will adopt the Gender and Development Protocol at the upcoming SADC Summit in Lusaka in August 2007.
Gender ministers are to hold a final meeting on 20 July in Maputo, Mozambique to review the draft Protocol, which would then be reviewed by justice ministers before being forwarded to Heads of State at their annual summit being held in Lusaka, Zambia from 16-18 August. While the timing is tight, it is still expected that this ground-breaking instrument will go before heads of state this year. The question remains, what is a Protocol, and what does this particular Protocol mean for women? Read full article. Source: GL Opinion and Commentary Service.
Click here to view the draft SADC Gender Protocol
4. Mauritius: Time to focus the gender lens on local government
It is time for a comprehensive strategy to address the gender gaps in local government. This is the key message to emerge from a four day workshop on mainstreaming gender in local government following the launch in of “At the Coalface: Gender and Local Government in Southern Africa.À
Organised by the Ministry of Local Government in partnership with Media Watch Organisation and the South African-based Gender Links the workshop brought together 25 councillors and officials from district, municipal and village councils from around. Participants drafted a gender strategy for local government covering a broad range of areas. Among other measures to be taken is the mounting of high profile campaigns at the local level for ending gender violence and for the prevention of HIV and AIDS. Click here to view the Mauritius Draft Gender Strategy for Local Government.
5.South Africa: Rise in hate crime a cause for concern
Hate crime is increasing at an alarming rate in South Africa. While there are no consolidated statistics increased media reports of gruesome murders of individuals because of their sexual orientation suggest this rise.
The recent killing of two lesbian women, Sizakele Sigasa, a gay and lesbian rights activist, and her friend Salome Masooa, in Soweto, Johannesburg is believed to have been a result of their sexual orientation. This has received wide condemnation from rights activists and especially the gay and lesbian community which has been subject to social marginalisation for a long time.
While government has made a bold move to recognise the rights of gays and lesbians by passing the Civil Unions Act a lot still needed to be done to educate and raise awareness amongst service providers especially the police and the general public that gay and lesbian rights are human rights and need to be upheld by all.
6. LEGISLATION
Madagascar: UNICEF congratulates the government of Madagascar on two new laws
ANTANANARIVO June 2007: New ground was broken when the Government of Madagascar’s Parliament approved two new laws; the first a broad bill to ensure increased child protection for vulnerable children throughout the country, and the second to change the legal age of marriage from 14 years for girls and 17 years for boys, to 18 years for both genders. Read more
Source: WUNRN
South Africa: Justice delayed is justice denied
IN SOLIDARITY with BUYISIWE: Rape survivor takes stand in Wynberg Sexual Offences Court.
Date: 17th À“ 18th July 2007
Why are these dates important?
Almost 2 years since the gang rape happened, Buyisiwe* will finally take the stand on 18 July 2007 and give evidence. This part of the court process is particularly difficult for the complainant, as she is expected to give details of the sexual violence. She will also be subjected to cross examination. This is often referred to as ‘the second rape’ by rape survivors.
Contact: Catherine /Carrie for more information on 011 424345.
* Not her real name. Visit www.oneinnine.org.za
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