As President Cyril Ramaphosa sets out to deliver his 7th State of the Nation Address (SONA), we are holding our breaths in anticipation of less promises and more action to address gender inequity health care, economic security, gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide, that has claimed the lives of one too many South Africans.
The recent report issued by the Minister of police Bheki Cele has highlighted once again that the rates of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in South Africa are increasing instead of going down. It has become normal to see headlines of yet another child, woman and LGBTQIA+ person who has been raped or ruthlessly killed.
From health communication to intersectional feminism, Soul City Institute continues redefining itself to meet South Africans' needs!
She opens her sleepy eyes to the bright light of the springtime sun that has intruded on her tiny bedroom. It is 6 am. “Why,” she begrudgingly utters as her mind immediately races with thoughts of all the problems that she took to bed with her last night. “Why did morning have to come so soon? Why can’t I just sleep my way into a better phase of my life?” She has not had a decent meal in a week, she is fatigued, lonely and confused about what the future holds for her. “Oh well, Sindy, life goes on,” she says to herself as she pulls her heavy and surrenders herself to another day in the hell that has become her life.
The Soul City Institute CEO says the availability of sexual and reproductive health services at youth-friendly clinics will prevent young people from seeking unsafe abortions.
We as the Soul City Institute for Social Justice lift our hands in support of the end to period poverty in South Africa. Period poverty, which is the lack of menstrual products such as pads, tampons or cups, is a consequence of gender inequality and affects the health and wellbeing of many menstruating people in South Africa and across the globe. For those still in school, it is compounded by the disruption to their education.
Every year, the Minister of Police reveals, amongst other figures, how many more women and girls have been murdered or raped, but very little about how it will be prevented in the coming year.
IN JUNE, THE UNITED STATES Supreme Court overturned its previous Roe v. Wade decision which declared the constitutional right to an abortion. Because of this, abortions are now regarded as illegal in certain US states, where the historic ruling was the only law that guaranteed safe abortion for many. Of course, this decision sent reverberations across the world, even before it was official. Weeks before the decision was final there was a leak of documents which revealed what was to come.
SONA2023: We Have Heard Enough Promises, Now We Want Action
