Struggle for equality: Sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights in Africa

- November 19, 2010 -

The conference sought to analyse the challenges faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities in Africa. It provided a platform for the discussion of strategies aimed at creating an environment on the continent where sexual minorities can enjoy the full range of human rights and are recognised as full citizens.

Kristin Palitza more»

Women and Political Leadership in Kenya: Ten Case Studies

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Despite global advances recognizing the principle of women’s political, economic and social equality, Kenyan women continue to be marginalized in many areas of society, especially in the sphere of leadership and decision making.

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Nigeria's Electoral Reform And The Prospect For Women's Participation In The 2011 Elections.

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Historical analysis of constitutions and electoral laws and processes in Nigeria are incontrovertibly gender insensitive. Beginning from 1922, when the first Constitution in Nigeria was made to the 1999 constitution, which purportedly gave legitimacy to the third republic, aspirations and concerns of women, who represent majority of the population, have been undisputedly discarded.

Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi more»

Video: Engendering Political Leadership

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Over the last 50 years, many African countries have established national gender machineries and implemented quota systems to accelerate the entrance of women representatives into formal political institutions. The results of this are striking: while in 1960 only 1% of Africa’s political representatives were women, in 2009, this figure is closer to 20%. The video profiles comprise the stories of African women politicians who, under different conditions, political systems, and in their own way, have tried to use their political platforms to advance women’s rights.

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Women in the executive: Can women’s ministries make a difference?

- In December 2007, at the ANC’s Polokwane Conference, a resolution was accepted to create a Ministry of Women’s Affairs. While there have been many women in cabinet since the transition to democracy in 1994 (today women make up to 45 % of the deputies), this would be the first time that there would be a ministry tasked solely to deal with gender issues. Will the shift to a Women’s Ministry be integrated into the existing gender machinery in South Africa or is this the beginning of its dismantling? more»

What the State of the Nation Address 2011 means for women in South Africa

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On 10 February 2011, President Zuma presented his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a joint sitting of parliament in Cape Town. The writers of this response to SONA look at the ‘road map‘ set out by Government for the next year, assessing it against progress on promises made (or not made) last year and how this will affect the social and economic status of women.

Women’s Legal Centre more»

The LGBTI Movement and Social Media in Africa

- LGBTI people have increased their visibility through the formation of national and Pan-African organisations working at grassroots level in the struggle for decriminalization and sensitising their respective communities. The campaign for LGBTI rights in Africa needs to be framed within a global context of growing homophobia and transphobia. Sokari Ekine more»

Offices of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Africa

- The Heinrich Böll Foundation has offices in Southern Africa (Cape Town, South Africa), in the region East and Horn of Africa (Nairobi, Kenya and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) and in Nigeria (Lagos). more»