Blog

Young women are speaking are we listening? The reality of menstrual health in Southern Africa

Our Fellows from Botswana, eSwatini, and South Africa are calling for urgent action on menstrual health. During the Young Women Speak: Trust, Fear & Realities of Menstrual Health webinar, participants shared lived experiences of stigma, silence, period poverty, and dismissed pain. The discussion highlighted that menstrual health is not just about access to products, but a broader human rights issue tied to dignity, education, healthcare, and equality. Young women are advocating for affordable menstrual products, inclusive education, responsive healthcare, and open dialogue. Their message is clear: menstrual health is a right, not a privilege, and collective action is needed to end stigma and inequality.

Empowering Futures: Soul City Limpopo at the Hlanganani South Career Guidance Programme

Soul City Limpopo joined partners in the Hlanganani South Career Guidance Programme, reaching Grade 9–12 learners from nine schools with career insights and essential education on teenage pregnancy prevention, substance abuse, and positive life choices, supported by community stakeholders.

From Participation to Power: Why Investing in Young Women’s Leadership Is Critical for Social Change

South Africa continues to grapple with deeply entrenched social challenges, including gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), inequality, and limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. While policies and frameworks exist to address these issues, a critical gap remains: the meaningful inclusion and leadership of young women in shaping and driving these interventions.

Empowering Young Minds: Karabelo GBV Team Engages Learners at Comprehensive School

Karabelo GBV Team engaged learners at a Comprehensive School on teenage pregnancy, HIV, STIs, TB, and gender-based violence, encouraging education, safe choices, and Rise Club participation

Let's Talk About Cervical Cancer: Why You Need to Know

Wait, Why Should I Care? You're young. You're healthy. Cervical cancer sounds like something that happens to "old people," right?

If Boys Are Missing From The Teenage Pregnancy Conversation, Prevention Will Fail

During a recent teenage pregnancy capacity-building workshop in Collins Chabane Municipality, Tiyani village, Limpopo, something striking took place. The room was mostly filled with young girls and women for three days. The young girls asked questions related to contraception and relationships, while mothers shared concerns about the pressures facing their daughters.

Building Cross-Border Feminist Solidarity in a Digital Age: Reflections from Women Deliver Melbourne

In a global moment defined by intersecting inequalities, feminist convenings continue to serve as powerful spaces for reflection, connection, and collective strategy. At the Women Deliver conference in Melbourne, a recent side event hosted in collaboration with Soul City Institute and Australian Volunteers International brought together advocates, practitioners, and fellows from across the world to explore what meaningful solidarity looks like in practice today.

Freedom Day: Honouring Our Past, Building Our Shared Future

Freedom Day is a powerful reminder of how far we have come as South Africans and the sacrifices that made our democracy possible. It marks a turning point in our history a moment when the country chose hope over division, equality over oppression, and unity over separation. On this day, we reflect on the long and painful journey toward democracy, and we honour those who fought, struggled, and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.