October 31, 2012

• Zimbabwe: Women's Menstrual Cycle Tied to Cycle of Poverty

  Ever since I turned 13, my parents had to adjust their budget to accommodate my monthly menstrual cycle, which costs an average of US$2 each month. Read more »

October 29, 2012

• Malawi: Who Is to Blame for Water Woes?

  Malawian women, like their counterparts in many African countries are facing the effects of water scarcity. Climate change is often blamed for the water shortages, which result in... Read more »

• Malawi: Malawi - Women Reeling From Effects of Climate Change [analysis]

  There's something strange about the weather in Malawi. September saw scorching, unrelenting heat normally associated with October. The days have been blurs of white hot sunlight,... Read more »

October 18, 2012

• Mauritius: SADC Gender Protocol 2012 Barometer - Mauritius

  Following a new gender-quota law for local elections that came into effect January 2012, gender activists believe that this may open the door for the country to reconsider its... Read more »

October 16, 2012

• Malawi: SADC Gender Protocol 2012 Barometer - Malawi

  The swearing in of Joyce Banda as the first female president of Malawi in April 2012 has been a major boost for gender activists, not only in the country, but also in the SADC... Read more »

October 12, 2012

• Lesotho: Women's Movement Must Champion Justice Delivery

  In August 2012, the Constitutional Court in Lesotho reserved judgement on a succession to chieftainship case that is being challenged by a woman, Senate Masupha. Masupha is arguing... Read more »

October 09, 2012

• Swaziland: Govt Launches 50/50 Campaign Ahead of Local Elections

  Increasing the representation of women in politics and decision-making is an opportunity to improve the quality of governance and also the right thing to do, as women constitute... Read more »

October 05, 2012

• Africa: End Forced Pregnancy Testing On Learners

  Vivacious and ambitious Ugandan Evelyn Evans Lanyero entered secondary school in the northern part of her country more than 10 years ago. Aged 14, she underwent a forced pregnancy... Read more »

October 01, 2012

• Zimbabwe: Will Circumcision Change Behaviour or Reinforce Machismo? [opinion]

  A mood of sober curiosity as dozens of men - young and old-waited for their turn on the surgical table in order to have their foreskins chopped off characterised Harare's Spilhaus... Read more »

September 27, 2012

• South Africa: Traditional Courts Bill a Step Backwards for Women's Empowerment [opinion]

  September marks the annual Heritage Month in South Africa. Heritage month celebrates and affirm individual and collective cultural, traditional and ethnic diversities. It also... Read more »

September 20, 2012

• Southern Africa: 2015 Yes We Must! - Launch of the 2012 SADC Gender Protocol Barometer

  SADC Member States will have to redouble their efforts in order to meet the 28 targets set for 2015 in the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. This is the key message in the... Read more »

September 11, 2012

• Africa: Trailblazers Face New Frontiers of Sexism [column]

  I will call my first experience as a female editor for a weekly newspaper a baptism by fire. Imagine a woman on the other side of the phone raging. As her tirade against me... Read more »

September 05, 2012

• Africa: Of Underwear - Making the Private Public

  There is a young woman I will call Hilda who comes in once a week to help with washing and ironing my clothes. In return, I give her money that she is saving to pay for her... Read more »

August 31, 2012

• Africa: Women in Sports Deserve Support and Sponsorship [opinion]

  Johannesburg, 31 August - From October 28 to November 11, Banyana Banyana, the South African women's soccer team will take part in the African Women's Championships (AWC) that will... Read more »

August 30, 2012

• South Africa: South Africa - Women and the Gay Rights Movement [opinion]

  South Africa has celebrated Women's Month this year in a political climate that is lurching increasingly rightward and threatening to become repressive and authoritarian. Read more »

August 29, 2012

• South Africa: Umshini Wam Painting - Sad End to Women's Month

  As South Africa concludes the month of August, which celebrates women, the nation has been painfully reminded of the symbols of patriarchy and masculinity through the painting of... Read more »

August 28, 2012

• South Africa: A Call to Girls - Join a Sport Team! [opinion]

  Sportswomen and in particular female teams had an overwhelming presence at the just ended 2012 London Olympics. All eyes are on the Paralympic Games which start on Wednesday, 29... Read more »

• Zimbabwe: Tribute to My Mother, Teacher and Activist in Women's Month

  Harare, 28 August: It is no coincidence that my mother, Joy Lowe, lost her fight to cancer in August - Women's Month - a few months after South Africa's first democratic elections... Read more »

August 24, 2012

• South Africa: Media Can Keep Girls' Olympic Dreams Alive [opinion]

  Johannesburg, 23 August - The dust is settling from post-Olympic celebrations and most athletes have made their way back home. In South Africa, we welcomed our athletes with joyous... Read more »

August 23, 2012

• Malawi: Kudos to Joyce Banda for Progressive Leadership [opinion]

  President Joyce Banda of Malawi made her maiden appearance at the annual Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit that took place from 17... Read more »

• Zimbabwe: And She Still Rises! [opinion]

  It often becomes impossible to rise if you fall too many times. This is not so in the case of my aunt Joana Meneses my father's sister, and one of the phenomenal women in my life.... Read more »

August 15, 2012

• Southern Africa: Addressing the Politics of Sexuality [analysis]

  Last week, civil society representatives from Southern Africa converged in Maputo, Mozambique for the annual Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Non... Read more »

August 14, 2012

• Southern Africa: Pushing the Envelop for an Addendum On Gender and Climate Change [analysis]

  Gender activists have issued a strong call for an Addendum on Gender and Climate Change to Heads of States of Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting in Maputo,... Read more »

• Zimbabwe: Through the Smiles, Tears and Years! [opinion]

  By modest standards I'm considered an accomplished young woman. Yet I was once a scared, pregnant teenager who dropped out of college to get married prematurely with no hope of... Read more »

August 10, 2012

• Zimbabwe: Parents Reinforce Harmful Gender Stereotypes [opinion]

  Gender, gender, gender! Gender equality hullabaloo is heard all over public spaces in this country. Yet those who champion gender equality and the need for it usually do not have... Read more »