Southern Africa

Citation:

Muthien, Bernedette. 2010. “Human Security and Layers of Oppression: Women in South Africa.” In The Gender Imperative: Human Security Vs State Security, edited by Betty A. Reardon and Asha Hans, 61–86. New York: Routledge.

Author: Bernedette Muthien

Topics: Armed Conflict, Feminisms, Gender, Women, Gendered Power Relations, Patriarchy, Gender Equality/Inequality, Security, Human Security Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: South Africa

Year: 2010

Citation:

Chingono, Mark F. 1996. “Women, War and Change: An Ambiguous Legacy.” In The State, Violence and Development: The Political Economy of War in Mozambique, 1975-1992, 209-43. Aldershot, UK: Avebury.

Author: Mark F. Chingono

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Women, Political Economies Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: Mozambique

Year: 1996

Citation:

Strand, R. T., L. Fernandes Dias, S. Bergström, and S. Andersson. 2007. “Unexpected Low Prevalence of HIV Among Fertile Women in Luanda, Angola. Does War Prevent the Spread of HIV?” International Journal of STD & AIDS 18 (7): 467–71. doi:10.1258/095646207781147300.

Authors: R. T. Strand, L. Fernandes Dias, S. Bergström, S. Andersson

Abstract:

We studied HIV prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection among fertile women in Luanda for the purposes of obtaining background data for planning of interventions as well as to look into the association of armed conflicts and HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV-1 prevalence was 1.7% in an antenatal care group (n = 517) and 1.9% in a family planning group (n = 518). Socioeconomic and sexual background factors did not significantly differ HIV-positive from HIV-negative women. Data on armed conflict factors were matched with HIV prevalence figures among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. The level of armed conflicts was found to be inversely related to HIV prevalence. The low HIV seroprevalence in Luanda is in sharp contrast to the capitals of neighbouring countries. While the spread of HIV may have been hampered by the long armed conflict in the country, it is feared to increase rapidly with the return of soldiers and refugees in a post-war situation. The challenge for preventive actions is urgent. This example may be relevant to other areas with a recent end-of-war situation.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Women, Health, HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Reproductive Health Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: Angola

Year: 2007

Citation:

Ager, Alastair, Wendy Ager, and Lynellyn Long. 1995. “The Differential Experience of Mozambican Refugee Women and Men.” Journal of Refugee Studies 8 (3): 265–87.

Authors: Alastair Ager, Wendy Ager, Lynellyn Long

Abstract:

This study examines differences in the experience of Mozambican women and men in refuge in Malawi in late 1990, with particular regard to the differential impact of assistance policies and programmes. Data collection was through a survey of 420 households and intensive qualitative interviews and daily schedule analysis with a representative focal sample of 20 individual refugees. Sample sites spanned both refugee camps and integrated settlement patterns. Data on educational activity indicated that established gender inequalities in schooling were perpetuated in the refugee setting. Programmed vocational training activities had little impact on income generation for either men or women. Whilst incomes were generally very low, the median income for women was zero. Work burden was generally heavier on women. Whilst the health status of men and women was similar, there was evidence of poorer health in female-headed households. Discussion focuses on the inter-relationship between these findings and refugee assistance efforts at the time of the study. In general terms, such assistance had clearly failed to significantly impact the key targets of substantive income generation for women and reduction in female work burden. Indeed, food relief policy and structures for refugee representation appeared to frequently exacerbate existing gender inequalities. Such findings regarding the differential experience of refugee women and men may be of considerable relevance to the planning and management of future refugee assistance programmes. In particular, the goals of increasing time availability for women and increasing support for indigenous action are commended.

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Forced Migration, Refugees, Refugee/IDP Camps, Education, Gender, Women, Men, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equality/Inequality, Health, Households, Humanitarian Assistance, Livelihoods Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: Malawi, Mozambique

Year: 1995

Citation:

Lindeke, William A., and Winnie Wanzala. 1994. “Regional Elections in Namibia: Deepening Democracy and Gender Inclusion.” Africa Today 41 (3): 5–14.

Authors: William A. Lindeke, Winnie Wanzala

Topics: Democracy / Democratization, Gender, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equality/Inequality, Governance, Elections, Political Participation Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: Namibia

Year: 1994

Citation:

Seidman, Gay W. 1999. “Gendered Citizenship: South Africa’s Democratic Transition and the Construction of a Gendered State.” Gender & Society 13 (3): 287-307.

Author: Gay W. Seidman

Abstract:

The tendency for abstract theorists of democratization to overlook gender dynamics is perhaps exacerbated in the South African case, where racial inequality is obviously key. Yet, attention to the processes through which South African activists inserted gender issues into discussions about how to construct new institutions provides an unusual prism through which to explore the gendered character of citizenship. After providing an explanation for the unusual prominence of gender concerns in South Africa's democratization, the article argues that during the drawn-out democratic transition, South African activists, often influenced by international feminist discussions, developed a collective definition of gender interests and began to build those interests into the structure of democratic institutions, in ways that will affect politics and the definition of “women's interests” in the future.

Topics: Democracy / Democratization, Gender, Governance, Post-Conflict Governance Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: South Africa

Year: 1999

Citation:

Albertyn, Catherine. 1994. “Women and the Transition to Democracy in South Africa.” Acta Juridica 1: 39–63.

Author: Catherine Albertyn

Abstract:

This article considers the historical context as well as the transitional period and the process of writing South Africa's interim constitution to the current 1996 Constitution to assess the extent to which they took account of the experiences, interests and demands of women in South Africa.

Topics: Democracy / Democratization, Gender, Women, Governance, Constitutions, Post-Conflict Governance Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: South Africa

Year: 1994

Citation:

Andrews, Penelope E. 2007. “Learning to Love after Learning to Harm: Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Gender Equality and Cultural Values.” Michigan State Journal of International Law 15 (1): 41–62.

Author: Penelope E. Andrews

Abstract:

The question that the Jacob Zuma rape trial and its aftermath raised was how a country like South Africa, with such a wonderful Constitution and expansive Bill of Rights, could generate such negative and retrogressive attitudes towards women. In line with this inquiry, this article raises three issues: The first focuses on the legacy of apartheid violence and specifically the cultures of masculinity, the underbelly of apartheid violence. Second, the article explores the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a vital part of the post-apartheid  transformation agenda, to examine how the TRC pursued violations of women's human rights. The third part of the analysis is an examination of the last twelve years of constitutional transformation in South Africa, and particularly the pursuit of gender equality and the eradication of violence against women.

Topics: Gender, Women, Masculinity/ies, Gender-Based Violence, Gender Equality/Inequality, Masculinism, Governance, Constitutions, Justice, TRCs, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Rights, Human Rights, Women's Rights Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: South Africa

Year: 2007

Citation:

Borer, Tristan Anne. 2009. “Gendered War and Gendered Peace: Truth Commissions and Postconflict Gender Violence: Lessons from South Africa.” Violence Against Women 15 (10): 1169–93.

Author: Tristan Anne Borer

Abstract:

That war is profoundly gendered has long been recognized by feminist international relations scholars. What is less recognized is that the postwar period is equally gendered. Currently undertheorized is how truth-seeking exercises in the aftermath of conflict should respond to this fact. What happens to women victims of war violence? The difficulties of foregrounding gendered wartime violence in truth telling are illustrated by the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The article explores some consequences of the failure to uncover gendered truth, including its impact on the government's reparations policy, and continued "peacetime" violence perpetuated against women in South Africa.

Keywords: Gender, reparations, sexual violence, South Africa, truth commissions

Topics: Gender, Gender-Based Violence, Justice, TRCs, Peace Processes, Post-Conflict, Violence Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: South Africa

Year: 2009

Citation:

Sachs, Albie. 1990. “Judges & Gender: The Constitutional Rights of Women in a Post-Apartheid South Africa.” Agenda Empowering Women for Gender Equity, no. 7, 1–11.

Author: Albie Sachs

Topics: Gender, Women, Governance, Constitutions, Post-Conflict Governance, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Rights, Women's Rights Regions: Africa, Southern Africa Countries: South Africa

Year: 1990