women’s rights

Five South African human rights NGOs you should know about

To celebrate Human Rights Day on 21 March, here is a look at five of South Africa's NGOs working for human rights in the country and beyond, organisations dedicated to the promotion of human dignity, equality and freedom.

Iron Lady of manganese takes on mining’s big boys

Daphne Mashile-Nkosi is the owner of a multimillion-rand manganese mine in the arid Northern Cape town of Hotazel and one of a handful of women in South Africa's mining industry. Battle-hardened by her experiences in the struggle against apartheid, she's not afraid to tackle those who stand in her way.

Foster builds a network of support

Our first Women's Month story features Lesley Ann Foster, who started the Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre.. This facility enabled her to grow personally as she helped others.
Towards gender equality in SA

For women, by women – Pink Taxi Egypt

Female taxi drivers could soon be plying the streets of Cairo, carting their female passengers from point A to point B. Pink Taxi Egypt, a new initiative, wants to make female passengers feel safer while using cabs in the city, but it has already faced criticism.

For women, by women – Pink Taxi Egypt

Female taxi drivers could soon be plying the streets of Cairo, carting their female passengers from point A to point B. Pink Taxi Egypt, a new initiative, wants to make female passengers feel safer while using cabs in the city, but it has already faced criticism.

South African men: Lean in for women’s rights

sonke - thumbTo mark International Women's Day on Sunday 8 March, a local thrust to Sheryl Sandberg's global LeanIn initiative asks South African men to demonstrate how they celebrate and support the women of the country.

Remembering the voices of the women of 1956

On 9 August 1956, 20 000 voices cried out: "You strike a woman, you strike a rock". South Africa's women had spoken, saying they were neither meek nor mild, but the bedrock on which their communities were founded, and they would not let their freedoms be trespassed upon.

Sowetan Dialogues to tackle women’s rights

Brand South Africa and the Sowetan are again teaming up to hold the Sowetan Dialogues. This time, to commemorate Women's Month, the dialogues will tackle women's rights in South Africa and how communities can help curb violence against women.  

Mandela: a champion for women’s rights

Recognising that women's rights were fundamental to South Africa's success as a newly liberated nation, Nelson Mandela enshrined these rights in the country's world-leading Constitution. It followed a long and rich history of activism from women demanding equal rights and gender parity.

#BringBackOurGirls shows the power of social media in Africa

Social media's potential as a powerful agent for change and conflict resolution in Africa is being demonstrated by the hugely viral #BringBackOurGirls online campaign to rescue 276 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram Islamist militants.