Latest news with #genderjustice
Zawya
07-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
Local Women Lead Peacebuilding and Recovery Efforts in Mozambique
Amid the challenges faced by conflict-affected communities in Mozambique, women have emerged as strategic agents of change. Rabeca Gerente Almeida Thomas, 51, is one such transformative example. A pastor, mother, and respected community leader in Báruè district (Manica Province), Rabeca transitioned from faith leader to peacebuilder — a journey that symbolizes the power of local women's leadership in building more just and resilient societies. Rabeca is one of 240 Peace Sentinels trained under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) project, implemented by UN Women and partners such as CESC, Lemusica, GMPIS, and Hikone, with financial support from the Government of Norway. The initiative aimed at ensuring that Women and girls contribute to and to have greater influence in building sustainable peace and resilience, and to benefit equally from the prevention of conflicts and disasters in Mozambique. When Rabeca first joined the training sessions on conflict mediation, human rights, and gender justice conducted by CESC and its partners, she had no idea just how deeply it would change her and her community. She learned not only how to navigate disputes but also how to challenge the barriers that kept women from having a voice in local decisions. As her confidence grew, Rabeca didn't just use her skills; she multiplied them. Women sought her guidance, and slowly, change unfolded. Her training unlocked doors, not just for her, but for every woman inspired by her courage. 'After the training, I started working with women's groups and establishing safe spaces where they can share experiences, seek support, and find collective solutions. Today, I speak with confidence about peace, justice, and rights.' Since joining the project, Rabeca has exceeded the original goal by creating eight safe spaces — places for protection, support, and community mobilization, essential for women and girls at risk. One of these spaces was set up in the home of a local leader, showing the growing engagement of men as allies in the cause. These spaces have directly helped prevent at least six cases of forced and early marriages and continue to provide ongoing support to vulnerable girls and women. Nationally, more than 55 safe spaces have been established by peace sentinels across nine districts. Political Participation in Action: Rabeca as Election Observer in 2024 A landmark in Rabeca's journey was her accreditation as an observer in the 2024 presidential elections. In a context where women's political participation still faces numerous barriers, her role underscores the vital contribution of women not only as voters but as guardians of transparency and integrity in democratic processes. She is part of a group of three women peace sentinels who monitored incidents of gender-based electoral violence and advocated for inclusive and secure voting. In total, 2,454 women were reached through awareness campaigns led by the peace sentinels via community radio and dialogue spaces on political participation and gender equality. Rabeca also played a strategic role in promoting interparty dialogue. Through her leadership and mediation skills, she helped bring together representatives from the three largest political parties in Báruè to sign a Women's Peace Commitment Declaration, overcoming historical divisions and reinforcing women's role as unifiers in social cohesion efforts. In addition to her contributions to conflict mediation and political engagement, Rabeca leads five community savings groups, involving around 115 women. These groups serve as an economic empowerment and social protection strategy, promoting not only income generation but also autonomy and solidarity among women in communities deeply affected by conflict. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
South China Morning Post
29-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Newlywed wives accused of murdering husbands stun India: ‘men as victims'
What happens when women become the accused in a society accustomed to viewing them as victims? A recent spate of spousal killings involving newlywed brides in India has upended social assumptions and sparked debate over gender, justice – and the price of compulsion. Advertisement The latest case – a chilling murder on a honeymoon – has riveted the Indian public. Earlier this month, police in Madhya Pradesh accused 25-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi of conspiring with her boyfriend to hire assassins and murder her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, 30, while the newlyweds were travelling in the northeastern state of Meghalaya. Their marriage, like most in India, had been arranged. It was late May when Raja's decomposed body was found following an extensive search. Investigators allege that Sonam orchestrated the killing. Her father has vehemently denied the claim, accusing authorities of 'making up stories' and demanding a federal inquiry. Sonam Raghuvanshia and Raja Raghuvanshi. Photo: Facebook As the investigation unfolds, the case has become emblematic of what some legal experts describe as a disturbing new trend: wives accused of plotting to kill their husbands, often in concert with lovers from before their marriage. 'The phenomenon of newlywed brides murdering husbands in conspiracy with boyfriends is not entirely unprecedented, but its increased frequency, boldness and brazenness make it a disturbing emerging pattern in recent times,' said Bhargav Baisoya, a lawyer at Jotwani Associates in New Delhi. The headlines have come in quick succession. In March, a 22-year-old named Pragati, barely two weeks into her arranged marriage in Uttar Pradesh, was accused of collaborating with her boyfriend, Anurag, to hire contract killers to murder her husband, Dilip. Saurabh Rajput's body was found stuffed inside a cement-filled drum. Photo: X That same month in Meerut, police discovered the remains of former merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput, his body stuffed inside a cement-filled drum. Investigators allege his wife, Muskan, and her lover, Sahil Shukla, drugged him and then stabbed him to death.
South China Morning Post
29-06-2025
- South China Morning Post
Newlywed wives accused of murdering husbands stun India: ‘men as victims'
What happens when women become the accused in a society accustomed to viewing them as victims? A recent spate of spousal killings involving newlywed brides in India has upended social assumptions and sparked debate over gender, justice – and the price of compulsion. The latest case – a chilling murder on a honeymoon – has riveted the Indian public. Earlier this month, police in Madhya Pradesh accused 25-year-old Sonam Raghuvanshi of conspiring with her boyfriend to hire assassins and murder her husband Raja Raghuvanshi, 30, while the newlyweds were travelling in the northeastern state of Meghalaya. Their marriage, like most in India, had been arranged. It was late May when Raja's decomposed body was found following an extensive search. Investigators allege that Sonam orchestrated the killing. Her father has vehemently denied the claim, accusing authorities of 'making up stories' and demanding a federal inquiry. Sonam Raghuvanshia and Raja Raghuvanshi. Photo: Facebook As the investigation unfolds, the case has become emblematic of what some legal experts describe as a disturbing new trend: wives accused of plotting to kill their husbands, often in concert with lovers from before their marriage. 'The phenomenon of newlywed brides murdering husbands in conspiracy with boyfriends is not entirely unprecedented, but its increased frequency, boldness and brazenness make it a disturbing emerging pattern in recent times,' said Bhargav Baisoya, a lawyer at Jotwani Associates in New Delhi. The headlines have come in quick succession. In March, a 22-year-old named Pragati, barely two weeks into her arranged marriage in Uttar Pradesh, was accused of collaborating with her boyfriend, Anurag, to hire contract killers to murder her husband, Dilip. Saurabh Rajput's body was found stuffed inside a cement-filled drum. Photo: X That same month in Meerut, police discovered the remains of former merchant navy officer Saurabh Rajput, his body stuffed inside a cement-filled drum. Investigators allege his wife, Muskan, and her lover, Sahil Shukla, drugged him and then stabbed him to death.
The Guardian
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Malala and Kiran faced violence, threats and shame. Now their fathers want ‘all men to stand with women'
The day Ranjit's daughter was born, he distributed sweets to the entire village – not just because he was thrilled to be a father for the first time, but because he was father to a girl. 'God heard my heart and granted my wish,' he says. His devotion to baby Kiran* was immediate and unshakeable. He would rush home from his work in the fields to spend time caring for her. Millions of fathers around the world will relate to the joy Ranjit felt, but in deeply patriarchal rural India publicly celebrating the arrival of a girl is an unusual, even defiant, act. Ranjit's love for and faith in Kiran is captured in the film To Kill A Tiger, which follows the poor rice farmer as he pursues justice for his daughter after she was gang-raped aged 13. Kiran is determined to see her attackers in court and Ranjit is determined to support her. Quietly but doggedly, he refuses to give up even in the face of threats and ostracism from his community. He credits Kiran and his wife, Jaganti, for giving him the strength to keep going. After a screening of the film this year in New York, Ranjit and Kiran were joined by another supporter of an extraordinary daughter: Ziauddin Yousafzai, better known as Malala's father. The screening was used to launch #StandWithHer, a global gender-justice campaign to support survivors of sexual violence. At the time, Yousafzai spoke of Ranjit as 'a man all men should be proud of – the father all fathers should look up to'. On Sunday, a short film will be released of the two men in conversation, discussing fatherhood, courage and their commitment to seeing their daughters become independent young women despite the social and political barriers they face. Nisha Pahuja, To Kill A Tiger's director and founder of #StandWithHer, says the film marks the start of a wider drive to invite men and boys to discuss the ways patriarchy limits both sexes. 'Power comes at a cost – not just to women and girls, but also, to men and boys,' says Pahuja. 'There is of course no denying the obvious, material benefits of this power imbalance or the violence it has permitted, but there's also no denying the suffering of men and boys. 'It's so clear today that men and boys are struggling to define themselves. I do feel Zia and Ranjit are powerful, unapologetic role models here.' Yousafzai describes how Malala was named after a 19th-century Afghan heroine 'because there was power in this name'. He says he knew it would suit her. 'In my mind, I associated a girl with strength, and I thought if I had a daughter she will be strong; she will have her own voice and she will be known by her name.' Yousafzai was adamant his daughter would be educated – something his own mother and five sisters had been denied. 'Education was the front door and it had to stay open,' he tells Ranjit. He recalls how he used to invite Malala to join discussions and debates with friends at home because he recognised that she had a great mind and always had something to contribute. Malala, he says, was not just a daughter but a 'comrade and a friend', so when, in 2012, she was shot in the head by the Taliban for standing up for her right to go to school, losing her was unthinkable. When she survived the attack and became a global advocate for education, Yousafzai campaigned alongside her. They are 'one soul in two bodies', he says. His nickname for her, Jaani, means soulmate. After Kiran was assaulted, Ranjit was expected to marry her off to one of her attackers – a common response to sexual violence that insists women and girls can only rid themselves of shame by becoming wives. Ranjit and Kiran refused to accept that shame and instead placed it squarely on the perpetrators. 'A real, caring father puts his daughter first,' he says. Yousafzai says he sees Malala in Kiran. 'It is as if Malala appears in front of me. Her voice will be a step against extremism, a step against violence; it already is.' The campaign, he adds, will spread the message that men should be allies, using their privilege to challenge long-held beliefs. 'Every father, every brother: all men must stand with women.' Resistance and change start at home, he says. 'This institution of the family is an agent of change, an informal one … there's no force more powerful than the family.' Ranjit agrees. 'We can convince men; it needs to enter their minds. As more and more people come together, I feel it will definitely have an impact on men and boys.' * Kiran is a pseudonym
Mail & Guardian
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Public health, social justice and feminist governance– visioning the next 25 Years: A farewell tribute to the work of Professor Olive Shisana
If Shakespeare were writing Marc Antony's famous eulogy from Julius Caesar today and in a South African context, he would probably have said, ' The good that South Africa and South Africans do is oft interred with their bones .' These adapted words from Shakespeare, shared by Professor Olive Shisana during her farewell tribute, reverberated across the room at the M&G Critical Thinking Forum on 9 May 2025—marking the end of a distinguished chapter in public service, but not the end of her mission. Professor Shisana, renowned for her fearless feminist leadership and scientific rigor, closed her formal role as Special Adviser to President Cyril Ramaphosa with characteristic humility and purpose. 'Today is a deeply emotional occasion for me—emotion is not a word often associated with scientists!' she quipped, striking a delicate balance between heartfelt reflection and resolute optimism. For over three decades, Professor Shisana has stood at the helm of South Africa's transformation efforts—shaping public health policy, advancing gender justice, and anchoring evidence-based governance. In her six-and-a-half-year tenure within the Presidency, she served not only as a technical adviser but as a moral compass on issues affecting the nation's most vulnerable. 'Being Special Adviser to the President was not merely a role—it was a calling,' she said. 'Together, we navigated some of the most complex challenges of our democratic dispensation.' Transforming the Gender Landscape Her legacy is perhaps most visible in the national response to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), elevating it to a national issue. From galvanizing the Women's March to the Union Buildings in 2018 to steering the development of the Ten-Year National Strategic Plan on GBVF, Professor Shisana helped elevate gender justice to a national priority. 'We fought for the rights of girls and boys, and even men, recognising GBV as a societal crisis that demands collective action.' Under her leadership, research into femicide and HIV prevalence studies gained traction, legal and policy reforms were catalysed, and accountability structures emerged across institutions. 'We must now double down on prevention,' she urged, reminding stakeholders that the work was far from over. Beyond our borders, her efforts rallied behind the AU End Gender-Based Violence Convention, which the African Union has now approved. The work continues to ensure its ratification in at least 11 countries so that it may take full effect. A Blueprint for the Future Her work extended beyond gender justice. 'We worked tirelessly on the National Health Insurance (NHI), ensuring it was thoroughly developed, consulted upon, submitted to Cabinet and Parliament, and signed into law—a significant leap toward universal healthcare access,' she recalled. It is no minor achievement. She continued reminiscing … 'we forged the Five-Year Presidential Health Compact to strengthen our healthcare system and then renewed our commitment with yet another Five-Year Compact.' The forum, which was more than a tribute—it was, as she called it, 'a blueprint' —brought together luminaries in health, education, gender equality, and governance. Their testimonies spoke to Shisana's ability to convene, to inspire, and to act. Tributes poured in on Professor Shisana's consistency in amplifying concerns of the most vulnerable populations and effectively elevating these issues to the highest levels of political decision-making, her unwavering advocacy ensured that the needs of marginalised communities were not only heard but also prioritised in national policy dialogues,' she stated. From co-leading ACT-A globally to advocating for children through the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC), Shisana's fingerprints are all over South Africa's social development framework. Speaking highly of Professor Shisana's long-standing partnership with the UN system, Mr. Nelson Muffuh, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, spoke to her visionary leadership, and the transformative role she played in advancing the health and rights of women, children, while stressing the urgency of addressing the 'unfinished business' she began: reducing maternal and child mortality, expanding access to sexual and reproductive health rights, and building inclusive health systems. Professor Shisana's role in establishing the Global Leader Network for Women, Children, and Adolescent Health, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was acknowledged. Working together with the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), her 'pivotal voice' on global platforms, advocating for Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights, adolescent health, and gender equality moved the agenda forward. And yet, she was clear-eyed about the challenges. Indeed, the journey was never easy. Obstacles arose at every turn. Yet, at no point did she ever feel like stopping—'because all of you were there, pushing forward, moving the needle, ensuring progress. Indeed, as our beloved Madiba so often reminded us: 'If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.' 'Yes, we did all this together. These achievements stand as proof of what collaboration can accomplish. And as we confront the challenges of today and those yet to come, let us never forget that our strength lies in unity. The road ahead is long, but we will rise to achieve our goals together,' she retorted. 'We also did not always communicate our achievements effectively… and we are a nation preoccupied with negativity,' she noted. 'The refrain is often, 'Nothing was done.' But we know this is not true. The data, the policies, the lives changed—they tell another story.' A Call to Remember—and to Act Her remarks were not only a recollection of past work, but also a rallying cry for those who remain in the trenches. To civil society leaders like Masimanyane and the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA), she extended heartfelt appreciation. To global donors and development partners—from the Ford Foundation and the Gates Foundation to the United Nations agencies—she offered thanks on behalf of all South Africans whose lives were touched by their contributions. With grace and gratitude, she acknowledged her family—her husband of over 50 years, William, and their children Nkateko and Fumani—as her rock and reservoir of strength. To President Cyril Ramaphosa, she offered praise for his willingness to engage deeply, listen closely, and lead steadfastly during times of profound crisis. The Journey Continues While her formal role in government ends, Shisana's parting message was clear: 'My commitment remains unwavering.' Through her private organisations and continued advocacy, she will carry forward the work of transforming institutions, driving gender equality and building systems that leave no one behind. As she said: 'Even some of the world's most advanced democracies did not attain such progress in 32 short years. We must never lose sight of this.' Let this moment serve not as a goodbye, but as a continuation—of her example, her lessons, and her enduring belief that science, leadership, and humanity must work hand in hand.
