tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25804852024110042712024-03-12T15:35:07.028-07:00Justice and Women Reflection SpaceJustice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-24357374867864326692011-10-13T02:14:00.001-07:002011-10-13T02:20:43.515-07:00Internet ActivismThis week JAW staff members attended a workshop facilitated by Women's Net teaching participants to use the internet and social networking tools to engage in advocacy campaigns. Tools like Facebook, Twitter, Mixit, and this blog can be an invaluable tool in helping us reach more community members, keep people interested and up to date about the work we are doing, and get feedback from our communities about how we can improve. We're hoping to start incorporating more technology into our work, so please let us know what you would like to see!Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-36363167218557186802011-05-11T02:55:00.000-07:002011-05-11T03:08:22.570-07:00Sexuality and Reproductive Health Training with the Access to Justice Team<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKZN2ZeHq-o/TcpfOzu0WmI/AAAAAAAAABo/AtENjIB2NbA/s1600/DSCN0781.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605397394225388130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 8px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 6px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKZN2ZeHq-o/TcpfOzu0WmI/AAAAAAAAABo/AtENjIB2NbA/s320/DSCN0781.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The Access to Justice Team in Melmoth has been talking to community groups about sexuality and reproductive health. Here is part of a report about these conversations from Thobile Biyela:<br /></div><br /><div>I ask them is these sexual and reproductive rights protected in our communities they said no, and I ask them how? one boy said how can the married men accept this right said: you have a right to choose the number of children you want to have, because men paid a lobola and their aim is to raise their families, Inspector Ntuli respond to him whether you like or not but constitution said so and it is illegal to break a rule and we ask them what they feel about these rights, the most woman they look so happy and they said, they feel happy and one woman her name BG said this right said they have a right to choose the number of children, its need to supply in married people only because the young girl they get children in their home and if the parent want to punished them they said it is our rights and she complain about the money of Child Support Grant, it is a causes of many young children getting pregnant in an early stage. and one woman raise an issue of how can they do as the community members if they see a child get an abuse in his or her family because they afraid may be they can put their life in danger, we told them that they report it in social workers and they need to told them that they want to be anonymous person.<br /></div><br /><div>That woman raise an issue of in her area there is a girl of ten years old who was raped by her step father but her mother instead of open the case she takes a child and gives her step mother.<br />In that place this girl is sleeping with all the young boys and she have an infection because she heard her step mother said she was taking her to the clinic and she have a sore in her private parts shuuuuu it was a serious issue all people are in the room they look so said. And I told her that because we invite the people from the Government Department she need to ask that question, because all people in the room are look so sad and scared we done an ice-breaker. And they said it is difficult to refuse the sex if you are married and we ask them what make it difficult they said they respect their culture. And it is difficult for them to speak with these rights in the communities, but they will try. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We told them that we are not going to make them change their cultures but we want them to look things in a different ways. They said they are agreeing but it is difficult it will take a long time to understand these rights especially in the elders. </div>Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-11475949815933271402011-05-09T02:04:00.000-07:002011-05-09T02:12:36.402-07:00March and Petition on the National Policy Framework on Sexual Offenses<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp9-OvAXbtQ/TcevzV-_gHI/AAAAAAAAABg/AcPKoX1s560/s1600/April%2B15%2BMarch"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp9-OvAXbtQ/TcevzV-_gHI/AAAAAAAAABg/AcPKoX1s560/s320/April%2B15%2BMarch" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604641557895413874" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> 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Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:lsdexception> </w:lsdexception><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=";font-family:";" lang="EN-ZA">Ministers shop while communities continue to be terrorized by rapists - Press Release from JAW and Shukamisa Campaign about March to Parliament on April 15, 2011<br /></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:black;" lang="EN-ZA" > <span style="font-size:85%;">Last month there was a furore when it emerged that a huge delegation of South African ministers and assorted hangers-on had forced themselves onto the guest list of the UN’s gender summit and then failed to attend a single session. And while </span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and others were spending thousands of taxpayers’ rands on lavish hotels, under-funded community organizations were struggling on to halt the scourge of sexual violence. </span></span></p> <p class="yiv1198470770msonormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" >The recent spate of marches and protests across the country shows the extent to which communities have had enough of shoddy - if not non-existent - provision of care to victims of rape and sexual assault. On Friday [15 April 2011] a wide cross section of community-based organizations marched on the KwaZulu Natal legislature in protest. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" lang="EN-ZA" > The level of anger is so high that when Bongiwe Zondi of Justice and Women asked how many people would be attending from Sweetwaters township near Pietermaritizburg, the reply was: “How many buses can you send to fetch us? We are tired of rapists terrorising our community!” </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" lang="EN-ZA" >The marchers said that <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:black;">even if these rapists are arrested, they are generally swiftly released on laughably low bail and allowed to return to the community to intimidate victims and witnesses into withdrawing charges. </span></span>Rape survivors are often not provided with post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection and also have to contend with shocking levels of ignorance and misogyny both from the police and the justice system. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" lang="EN-ZA" >Zondi recently took on the case of a lesbian who was raped. The magistrate in the matter chose to declare her an unreliable witness on the grounds that she had two children, and therefore could not really be a lesbian.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:85%;" lang="EN-ZA" >These are the very real challenges that community-based organisations face on a daily basis. But the National Policy Framework (NPF) mandated by the 2007 Sexual Offences Act, which could address many of these difficulties, is now more than two years late and has not been properly consulted around. The organizers of Friday’s march handed over a petition to the Legislature calling for movement and consultation around the NPF. Their action marks the start of a series of protests planned for the next few months by members of the Shukumisa Campaign to demand better treatment of victims of sexual violence. </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:85%;" >The NPF needs to ensure that there are</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Symbol;font-size:85%;" ><span style="">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:85%;" >Clear standards for provision of services to victims of rape and sexual assault;</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Symbol;font-size:85%;" ><span style="">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:85%;" >Clear time-frames for implementation; </span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:Symbol;font-size:85%;" ><span style="">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:85%;" >Clear roles for civil society groups involved in victim support services </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.5in; text-indent: -2.5in;"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:85%;" >Adequate services for people with disabilities, children and gay and lesbian people.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><b><span style=";font-family:";" lang="EN-ZA"> </span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.5in;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style=";font-family:";" lang="EN-ZA"> </span></strong><strong></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 2.5in;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span style=";font-family:";" lang="EN-ZA"><br /></span></strong><strong></strong></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><i><span style=";font-family:";" lang="EN-ZA">The KZN march was organized by</span></i></strong><strong><i><span style=";font-family:";" lang="EN-ZA"> </span></i></strong><i><span style=";font-family:";" lang="EN-ZA">Justice and Women (JAW), Lifeline/Rape Crisis, Family and Marriage Society of South Africa (FAMSA), Gay and Lesbian Network (GLN), Vulamehlo, Masiphile Projects, and Umphithi Men’s Forum</span></i></span> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="" lang="EN-ZA"> </span></p> </w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:lsdexception></w:latentstyles></xml>Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-23216305826068647242011-01-31T10:12:00.000-08:002011-01-31T10:15:49.902-08:00HIV Testing in Pregnancy - A ReportScale-up of provider-initiated HIV testing and counselling of pregnant women: The South African experience. By Johanna Kehler, Amber Howard Cornelius, Sindi Blosse and Promise Mthembu.<br /><br />As early as 2002, calls were made within the public health spheres to move away from the voluntary HIV counselling and testing approach to a more ‘routine offer’ of HIV testing in public health centres in order to increase the uptake of HIV testing.<br /><br />In 2007, UNAIDS and WHO released guidance on provider-initiated testing and recommended, amongst others, that provider-initiated opt-out testing and counselling should be prioritised in antenatal, child birth and post natal healthcare services, despite recognising that women may be more at risk than men of discrimination, violence, abandonment or ostracism when their HIV status becomes known.<br /><br />This ‘targeting’ of women in the scale-up of HIV testing, whilst recognising women’s greater risks of rights violations in this process, arguably highlights the extent to which the ‘public health need’ of HIV testing scale-up can override the need to reduce women’s risks and vulnerabilities to HIV-related rights abuses.<br /><br /><a href="http://www12.zippyshare.com/v/6717572/file.html">Download the full 32-page report. </a>Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-69914130129617097972011-01-17T00:07:00.000-08:002011-01-19T03:55:53.650-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c1BCWX1mVrY/TTP513T28fI/AAAAAAAAABI/md28NLpSu-0/s1600/Bongi+with+Sash+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563064668508320242" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px; height: 320px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c1BCWX1mVrY/TTP513T28fI/AAAAAAAAABI/md28NLpSu-0/s320/Bongi%2Bwith%2BSash%2B1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:180%;" >SHUKUMISA CAMPAIGN -</span></strong><div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><strong>MOVING AND SHAKING WITH JAW<br /><br /></strong></span></div><div><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ></span></strong> </div><div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >The Shukumisa Campaign is moving and shaking things up in central KZN thanks to the energy and commitment of 6 NGOs from Pietermaritzburg.<br /><br />Justice and Women, LifeLine/Rape Crisis, Centre for Criminal Justice, FAMSA, Pmb Gay & Lesbian Network, CREATE (a disability rights NGO) and community radio activist Nana Makhanya, launched the Shukumisa Campaign during the 16 Days of Activism. They will work together to monitor service to victims of sexual offences in the Regional and Sexual Offences Courts and Police Stations, in terms of the provisions of the VEP Charter and Batho Pele.<br /><br />The areas they will cover include Pietermaritzburg and some suburban facilities, Melmoth, Eshowe, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Mooi River, Estcourt, Bergville, Ixopo, Highflats, Bulwer, Impendle, Mphopomeni and Howick.<br /><br />The participating NGOs believe that the campaign should be conducted in a respectful and professional manner, and have been at pains to liaise with the Department of Justice and the SAPS prior to the monitoring visits which are scheduled to take place in January and February 2011. In keeping with this commitment, all monitors will carry their ID books, identify themselves by wearing a Shukumisa Monitor’s sash, be issued with documents from their parent organizations that authorize their activities and provide background information about Shukumisa.<br /><br />In addition, to model the principle of accountability, the NGOs have developed a Code of Conduct (see below) that will govern the conduct of the monitors, as well as a Feedback Form for the respondents at the Courts and Police Stations to complete at the end of the monitors’ visits.<br /><br />The 6 NGOs will be moving and shaking things up in central KZN long after the end of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign, and hope that their findings will result in improved services to victims of sexual offences – twenty-four/seven, 365 days a year.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>MONITOR’S CODE OF CONDUCT<br /></strong></span><br />1 Monitors will phone ahead and set up appointments at the Court or Police Station.<br /><br />2 Monitors will be non-aggressive and non-confrontational.<br /><br />3 Monitors will wear the white Shukumisa sash and introduce themselves using:<br />· the Shukumisa Campaign background letter<br />· the parent organisation’s staff verification letter<br />· their ID book<br />· the Shukumisa Code of Conduct<br />4 Monitors will be politely persistent. They will ask a question in 3 different ways in order to obtain an answer.<br /><br />5 Monitors will be professional at all times, and will avoid becoming overly familiar with staff at the Police Stations or Courts.<br /><br />6 Monitors will ensure that they adopt a professional dress code.<br /><br />7 Monitors will keep their cell phones switched off for the duration of their visits.<br /><br />8 Monitors will ask the interviewee to complete the Shukumisa Feedback Form.<br /><br />9 Monitors will sign the SAPS Incident Register, say goodbye and thank the interviewee for their time.</span></div>Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-60068884217744772062010-09-28T00:26:00.000-07:002010-09-28T00:54:13.034-07:00Highlights of Vienna ConferenceThinking about "Ädvocacy"<br />In general I found the conference centre accessible, even though it was huge. The conference centre was well organized so that people could choose what they were keen to know more about. Volunteers were helpful which made it even easier to register and to find more about the conference.<br />There are two issues which I found very interesting in the conference. The first issue was that "gender"was not clearly addressed in the conference. For example, women who were sitting on the panel as home-based carers did not address the topic of gender inequality in terms of how the economic burden of caring for the sick falls on women. Women are providing home-based care services without being paid, or without being paid a living wage. They did not discuss how their work is important WORK, and they were not questioning why they do this kind of work for government at their own cost.<br />the second issue was that in advocacy sessions "ëvidence" was a big concern. For example, even our own Minister of Health wanted evidence of how many women had been sterilised when giving birth to their babies, without their consent because they were HIV positive. The need to produce more "ëvidence" seemed like a way for people in power to evade addressing issues, even though they know that the govrnments themselves are not implementing monitoring systems to make sure people's rights are being protected. I do think that as activists we have to find ways of documenting abuses so that our concerns are not easily dismissed.<br />Take care!<br />GraceJustice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-3714186696128254082010-04-12T06:05:00.000-07:002010-04-12T06:44:30.649-07:00Corruption in Melmoth Police StationCorruption in Melmoth Police station is a big problem for the community. On the 24th of March the Njomelwane community members had a march protesting about corruption in Melmoth Police station and handed in the memorundum to the Station Commissioner complaining about the involvement of the police in the murder case of M.P. Biyela who was the taxi driver and the suspect who is the police not been arrested, the lost of dockets in the police station, police not responding to community complaints and the police not giving feedback on the investigations of cases. On the seventh of April the community invited Brigadier Wilson to the meeting and the demands were given to her about the police station and she didn't give the reasonable feedback to the community because after the march the superintendant who was working effectively with the community and was able to respond to community's complaints and who was telling the community the truth was transfered with immediate effect. The community was very upset and felt that that transfer should be delayed and the police station be dissolved within 24 hours because the community felt that there is no trust and faith in these police that are in Melmoth Police station. Despite all those community's demands, Brigadier W. said she has powers to dissolve the station but she is not going to do that and asked the community to give police second chance to make up to the community and gave the community 20 days to monitor the service of the police and to come to the CPF meeting on the 29th of April to give feedback. It was not clear that she was also going to attend that meeting.<br /><br />Today the 12th of April the superintendant that was transfered but still waiting for her transfer approval, reported to Melmoth police station and was badly chased away by the staion commissioner and was told not <strong>ever </strong>to come to Melmoth Police staion. She then tried to speak to Brigadier who told her not ever to set foot on Melmoth police station and asked her to stay at home and threatned her not to attend any community meeting!<br />I feel that is not fair and it is not acceptable. I am appealing to everyone who can assists us as the community to fight this battle and get her back because she is really a good person to have in Melmoth police station to fight corruption as a result of her hard work exposing corruption the suspect that everyone was scared of , today he appeared in court meaning he is noe arrested. I feel that we need to fight for this police station to be dissolved even if we need to contact Nathi Mthethwa to give the memorandum to him is fine because we can't now stay in our homes and feel that we are safe because we understand that by taking more actions we are risking our own lives but I say what ever it takes I am not going to stop this battle like this and I am not going to keep quiet if I am still alive, I will keep quiet when I am dead!Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-43826959105947050362010-02-26T20:33:00.000-08:002010-02-26T21:13:42.029-08:00<strong>stories of hope</strong><br />i have been feeling overwhelmed by the trauma that we are all experiencing lately and i spoke to someone about it who said that one way to cope was to build up a blanket (which can comfort one through this) of stories that have had positive meaning for me from our work . That the need to find and sustain meaning in our work is one way in which we can survive this trauma . So Im writing from our work some stories of hope , the small pieces that give me a great sense of the meaning of our work - that give me energy to go on<br />So my stories of hope this week are as follows<br />- It starts with N and G realising that they cannot go on being the only people who engage on behalf of members of the support group with the hospital about treatment rights - that we have to look at ways in which we can all build up others strength to engage and fight for their rights . That if we dont do this - we will simply drown in the demand - it is too great<br />- it goes on with n - instructing me to stay in the car when she went into St Marys hospital to sort out an issue - and telling me later in great detail why she did this . She explained that if she had taken me in as a white woman it would have made any future interactions with the hospital difficult for her - because the staff would forever have asked her "where is your white friend "- she realised that she needed to stand on her own and fight this fight as a black woman<br />- it goes on with N and G both saying that they were no longer frightened of speaking to people with education - that they could feel confident confronting doctors<br />- a conversation with M over lunch at the support group HBCN meeting was amazing - she told me about her abet classses that she was attending in Thubalethu - how excited she was that she was finally being able to complete her matric - and what relevance the courses that she was doing had for her life and work - the ems course she said could help her with her business, she now understood what a "sole trader" was and other business terms - what struck me most forcibly was her quiet confidence , her hope , her belief in herself<br />- P's confrontation of a HBCn member at the end of a long meeting on a very hot day when everyone including myself just wanted to go home - she quietly pointed out that what he was suggesting was against the agreement that the group had made - that the agreement was important, for the network members had to elect the task group - that this was important so that all groups felt that they had an equal chance of being on the body - that it was transparent fair equal<br />- G's excitement over her trip to JHb and her acknowledgment that altho she was nervous she coped , that she overcame her nervousness and learned about an exercise which she could teach us, the value of our work and how it ripples out to others - im waiting eagerly to know about this - we need to hear this<br />- s over lunch telling me about her work in prison - and how she had gone in to the prison specially on friday this week so that a prisoner who was being released on Sunday could give her a letter to the head of the prison thanking him for his time in prison - his treatment and what he learned . S met with the prisoner and arranged that she take him to the section head where he could personally deliver the letter . She also told the prisoner that he had always had the most amazing cell in his block - the "no smoking cell "- where all the inmates carefully made their beds each day , kept their cell clean , where the " air always felt clean and fresh - where there was a sense of hope "The man was exteremely grateful to S that she had valued his need in this humane way<br />-T excirement about her workshop which she ran oin her own - the fact that peoiple didnt mind about the time , they wanted to know more , that she they were discussing was so important to them<br />they are small incidents and there are many of them and in everyway each of us take meaning from what we do , what we hear what we see - lets try and focus on these - i feel better already<br />take care all<br />jennyJustice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-53712447034137491862010-01-20T22:21:00.000-08:002010-01-20T22:49:31.227-08:00Grace's Report from Community Health Worker Policy FrameworkHi Everyone<br />It has been a good experience for me to be part of the home based care cluster engaging on the advocacy process around the home based care policy that was drafted by department of health without consulting civil society. The process was good and opened my eyes on other issues that I personally didn't think about, such as civil society being in partnership with government which was interesting to hear and to think about the consequences that might come on the long run. It was interesting for me to have an input on that submission no matter how small it was and I am looking forward to see how department of health is responding to the issues and concerns we raised about the policy in the submission.<br />I was suprised by Mabongi and Mariana, they were so powerful and engaging with the whole process, not intimidated by the use of English and they were able to voice out their concerns as field workers! They did great job and I personally congratulate them.<br />We had good time enjoying ourselves swimming on the sea, which was exciting, good but exhausting! We looking forward to having the workshop with the whole Mthonjaneni home Based Care Network.Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-57558264339621283812010-01-12T02:46:00.000-08:002010-01-12T03:09:25.784-08:00GREETINGS AND ADVICE<em>I want to welcome you all guys in 2010 .Sometimes we assumed that everything is ok in our lives but as time goes on our past expiriences and challenges kept on following us to extent that if you didn"t acknowledged and share it with someone you will end up committing suicide .All i want to stress is the importance of sharing with the ones you trust and try by all means to figure out who you are ,strengths and weaknesses and what you really want in life,dont be desparate because it kills.Lastly my resolutions is to really know who am i and why i"m here in this earth.Bongi Zondi</em>Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-89998698325881595392010-01-11T21:38:00.000-08:002010-01-11T21:51:43.986-08:00Back to work!Hi everyone!<br />It is nice to be back to work after a wonderful rest. I hope you are all well and have enjoyed your festive holidays. I had a wonderful rest although i didn't go away but it was nice to be home with my family but sad that I lost my sister on the first of January this year.<br />My new year's resolution is to focus on everything that I do, to finish everything that i start doing, do my work with dedicated heart and also to fight for the best in life! I am happy that I passed my exams and have registered for this year.<br /><br />By GraceJustice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-74903850297357552812010-01-11T02:37:00.000-08:002010-01-11T02:49:30.613-08:00Phakamile's reporthi gorgeous<br /><br />Today its like a first day of joining jaw members. So i enjoy my first holiday which was christmas time cause we are together with my daughter and the my grandson. But the second holiday ending with badly i lost my brother''s son who hang himself with a rope. So everything goes right after funeral;so now i will be back.Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-36813563139790122902010-01-11T02:30:00.000-08:002010-01-11T02:37:28.154-08:00Nozipho's holidays report<br /><br />Hi good people i enjoyed the holidays but not as i expected because before the end of the year i lost my father due to car accident .So i begin this year very bad.I hope every one enjoyed their holidaysJustice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-66032486269289017462009-12-11T22:55:00.000-08:002009-12-11T23:32:59.538-08:00Grace's November ReportHi everyone, November seems to be busy for me! I've been writing exams on Social Work Degree that I am doing this year which i finally finished on the 9<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Th</span> of this month. It was difficult but I haven't lost hope.<br />On the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Th</span> to the 14<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Th</span> of November I attended the Feminist Technology Exchange workshop in Cape Town. It was very exciting and interesting to meet with other people and to be able to learn many things because I don't have much knowledge on the use of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ICT's</span>. People in that workshop were very nice and willing to help which made the space to be safe for everyone. I learned about how to make movies using digital stories. That was an exciting experience because I was able to make my own movie and bring it home with me! I hope and I wish to teach my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">colleagues</span> and other members of the community the skill of making movies so that we make movies for lobbing and advocacy for our rural communities.<br />On the 18th and 19th I attended Sexual Offences Act workshop in Pietermaritzburg which was facilitated by Amber, Thobile, and Bongiwe from our organization. I learned about the amended act which was very interesting to know about. On the 23rd I attended the IDP meeting at Mthonjaneni municipality and I was thinking that there will be many people but there were few officials. What I found very interesting there was that the MEC has challenge their plans about Hiv and asked that the Hiv strategic plan and its implementation be included and submitted to him before they implement their IDP.<br />On the 24 I met with Ntombi, Gcinile and Phakamile to practice for the MHBCN workshop on the 25+26. We had workshop on the 25+26 and issues that were covered were productive work vs. reproductive work. It was interesting to hear the burning issue of women doing reproductive work which is taken as not important as productive work that men are doing but cannot survive wthout women and their reproductive work. Women felt stong that men should help them and take the work that is done by women important as their work. They also wished that the State and Business Sector look at the home based care work as the most important work which also enables their businesses to grow and produce more!<br />Today-27th I will be meeting with the Youth Team preparing for the workshop on the 28th with Yanguye High School!Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-84138177654416274202009-12-11T22:29:00.000-08:002009-12-12T00:09:06.424-08:00Advocacy work at Kwa Magwaza hospital MelmothHi everyone. Advocacy for me means helping people to fight for change in their lives, is like bringing change no matter how small it is and also show love and care and also to bring hope to those who are hopeless because of many reasons no matter how little you can do to contribute.<br />Wednesday night I couldn't sleep because I was guilty that I didn't do enough in terms of helping the woman who came and fell on my chest crying, weak, and hopeless because she was sick and treated badly by the hospital and being hiv positive. I could hear my voice saying to her "be strong, you are going to be okay."My conscience kept on asking me that how can I tell a person to be strong when she is weak, how can I say she is going to be fine when i know that she is not going to be fine if I don't do something? I was struggling to find something that i could do to try and help that woman, that's how i discovered what advocacy means for me.<br />I called few members form the support group to come with me to the hospital with the sick woman. We were nine members at the end, and we went to the hospital and asked to see the doctor in charge in the ARV clinic. The doctor is heartless and I wish he should be taken out of his profession and out of the hospital as well. We asked him difficult question and we were fighting and we couldn't keep quite until the hospital security guards wre called to kick us out of the clinic. We didn't leave the hospital but we waited for her to be attended to at the Out patients Department and we promised the guards that we are not going to go until we are satisfied that the woman has been treated with dignity. We met with the HR manager and promised him that we are taking the matter to the provincial minister of health and he asked us to wait for the senior doctor on Monday the 14th to meet with and discuss this issue with him because he has already taken the woman's file to help her. The woman also witnessed that that has happened.<br />When we came back I realised that the woman was stronger than the morning and she was smiling and she appreciated our support and she said she felt loved and cared for. She said she felt surrounded by people and that alone brings hope to her that something wonderful will happen to her life.<br />In conclusion I believe that if we as community workers we can learn that saying is not actual doing. We need to take risks in order to bring change and we need to stand together. I felt peaceful afterwards because my conscience could tell me that I've tried rather than sayin "be strong"when I really don't know what a person is going through. I am looking forward to meeting with the senior doctor on Monday!Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-6711218893748695222009-11-30T23:43:00.000-08:002009-12-01T00:27:19.422-08:00sexual offenses Act 1 December 2009Hi Everyone<br /><br />Its a pleasure to me to share with you the dynamics of sexual offenses Act.I believe it will stirr you up and also open your eyes as it did to me.<br /><br />Firstly I want to give you the definition of rape:According to the old Act rape is a sexual penetration of the penis to a vagina.<br />New definition:Rape is unlawful and intentional sexual penetration of a person without consent.Sexual penetration means penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth by a sexual organ including a penis,finger or object representing a penis like a bottle or broom stick.<br /><br />This new definition was passed by the parliament in 2004 and is called sexual offenses Act that changed the definition of rape because the old definition was declared unconstitutional by the constitutional court.<br /><br />WHAT DOES THE ACT MEANS BY:<br />.Unlawful-when you commit sexual act with the child under 12yrs or with mental disabled person<br />.Intentional-knowing write from wrong<br />.Sexual penetration-manage to put your penis/object in someone's vagina/mouth<br />.Without consent-forcefully.<br /><br />I will share more next time like how to report rape.<br /><br />Thanx<br />Bongi ZondiJustice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-56493892682600124662009-11-30T23:35:00.001-08:002009-11-30T23:37:47.747-08:00SEXUAL OFFENSES ACT 1 DECEMBER 2009Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-5560851401811619432009-11-27T03:57:00.000-08:002009-11-27T04:34:56.018-08:00Jenny reflection on her time with Proteus inititaiveHi everyone<br /><ul><li>I tried to get photographs that I could put on the blog to show you all the beauty of the place that I was in . But you know how I struggle with technology - so will have to draw it in words . The workshop took place in Noordhoek which is on the longest white beach I have ever seen - I swear that even at night the sand glimmers . So you have a strip of pure white sand going forever next to a sea which is icy cold - the atlantic ocean - and which changes colour from azure green to steely blue to at times black . On the sides of this picture and behind are mountains filled with rocky outcrops and sprinkled with flowers , small to large spears of colour bright red purple etc I had a bedroom with enormous windows that I could throw open wide to see this amazing view morning and night . I felt like never leaving it was so peaceful, beautiful </li><li>Now to the workshop. I have come back with some really lovely ideas about using drawing in our workshops - not drawings of pictures but drawing with colour and shapes . The first exercise which we did using this methodology was amazing - we worked in groups of three and were given an instruction to use colour to show what had brought us to this leadership course. We were not allowed to talk to one another and had to work together on one piece of paper. It was intersting to see how in my group we all started in one corner and worked outwards and how the more one worked outwards we were making unspoken decisions about whether to get involved in each others spaces and whether we could enter those spaces. When we were able to talk there was an enormous amount that we could share with each other both about our drawing ( I was asked why I made such strong marks on the paper - realised that that was part of who I am - I make strong marks ) and how much we learned from our tentativenss about filling the paper - why we felt nervous - how going into others spaces made us feel etc etc So am really intersted to see whether we could build this methodology into some of our programmes .</li><li>The second issue that really made me think was how the facilitators used silence . They organised the workshop into spaces where people worked initialy in small group sharing about themselves with each other . Each person had a chance to tell their story and the others needed to listen and later ask questions gain calrity. Then in the big group people could reflect on the process of sharing , the themes that had emerged. In facilitating this silence was used . People spoke when they wanted to - we waited out long periods of silence - and the facilitators did not cap anything people said - they held the space. It was profoundly moving and I started to think about how we could learn to do this in our work - and when we used this type of facilitation . It gave people space to be themselves , gave them a chance to tell their stories and feel listened to , to feel contained, to choose how much they wanted to share . It felt deeply respectful of all people there </li><li>I have come back with a lot of things to think about in terms of consciousness - individual consciusness , group consciousness , about whether african people develop a group consciousness more strongly than an individual consconsciusness - how western people focus on developing individuial consciouness more than collective consciouness - how this could possibly influence our work . <strong>Im not going to say any more as i want you to ask me questions through the blog - which will help my thinking about this issue - so over to you all</strong></li><li>Finally its great to come back and to hear all that has been happening whilst Im away - thank you to you all for giving me the break I really needed it </li></ul><p>Jenny </p>Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-86702804340573737662009-11-24T01:51:00.000-08:002009-11-24T01:53:18.198-08:00Thobile's Report - Access to Justice ProjectTHE REPORT FROM IXOPO ON 22 OCTOBER 2009<br />Thobile,grace ,Amber and bongi we were going to attend the Woza Moya Project. Actually it was not a workshop, we visited them to see their work. They work with and in the community like us. They have a medicine room, they have a place of playing the orphans, they have a group of sewing, they have a kitchen for cooking. We met with the paralegal called Manqoba. Manqoba shared to us his challenges of his work. Many of them are same as mine, especially in the department of Social Welfare. They face the problem of community, if they visited the traumatized children, the member of family asked them how they know about that situation. But they are brave because they don’t stop working, they are continue.<br /><br />THE REPORT OF WORKSHOP ON 23 OCTOBER 2009 AT SWEETWATERS<br />Thobile, Grace and Bongi going there to attend the workshop. The workshop is started at 9:34. They started with the Domestic Violence. They explain about the procedure we need to follow if we have the violence in our homes. And one of members of workshop raised the question of is there a Domestic Violence in the marriages of same sexual? And facilitator said yes. And another question is why if someone says a statement with his or her oral and if the courts write it down interpreted with its own, not same as a victim said. And the facilitator said the courts write as they understand, the time you are speaking.<br />They followed by the maintenance. One member asked what is the age of stopping child to get the maintenance I was lea. the facilitator said no age as long as the child is at school and if it is not work. They told us about the document we need to bring if we apply for maintenance. And one member raised a funny question why the blood of child and his or her parent always come positive in the courts. And the facilitator said if the child belongs to them, but it is not any blood comes positive. And me I raised the question of is the father of the child have a right of applying the maintenance to me and they said yes<br />They followed by the children act. 2005, and the children amendment act. Presented by J. Todd and directed by the Pietermaritzburg child welfare. And in 1997 SALRC questioned by the Minister of Welfare and in 2003 Bills was initially submitted in parliament. the section 129 consent to medical treatment and surgical operation, and section 134 access to contraceptives for a example government raised the issue of , if the children have 12 years old she can able to do the injection of prevention and can able to do the abortion. I was stopping there because at 1:00 I need to go back to melmoth.Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-84627416736682677672009-11-24T01:50:00.000-08:002009-11-24T01:51:51.257-08:00Tea Sharing - Yanguye Women's Safety AuditTEA SHARING REPORT ON 17.11.2009<br /><br />We did three workshops with different people in different zones. We got different ideas others are similar.<br />SIMILAR IDEAS<br />They felt unsafe inside and outside in their home because rape issues are happening in their homes. There’s a crime happening, the criminals are vandalize the property in order to get the assets that they want in that house. Other parents are unfair they don’t want to be honestly like if his or her child rape neighborhood child they want to have a discussion about that issues they don’t want anyone to intervene. So that thing makes rapists continue to rape others<br /><br />AS A COMMUNITY MEMBERS<br />As a community members we need to be solidarity stand to together and speaking with a one voice the problems who affects other, it need to be yours as a community member there’s no need to undermine that person we need to support each other<br />TRADITIONAL LEADERS<br />Some other people are worried because they don’t have a traditional police in felt that they’re not the part of this community there’s no CPF .others said it is better if Traditional leaders call the community and have a discuss the issue of the crime and rape and from there take the decisions. Each and every area must put the people who are going to look the criminals in the community<br />GOVERNMENT<br />They have worries of government because if the criminals arrested they don’t get the sentence. They want the police to put the name tags in their uniform in order to make it easier to identify the police who did the wrong thing and good thing. Others are suggest to have a police station in Yanguye area but because of the delays they think that it is better if they the police who’s patrolling in that area<br />We need to talk as a community with the Amakhosi and stakeholders to take forward about women issues. Yes they are interested they want to do more about the issues of rape and crime.Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-30096888683902364942009-11-24T01:49:00.000-08:002009-11-24T01:50:46.022-08:00Ivela Primary School - Youth Team UpdateYOUTH REPORT FOR IVELA PRIMARY<br />1. Date of wokshop: II.II.2009<br />2. Venue.Ivela Primary<br />3. Who facilitated the process: Nozipho ,Sabelo & Sicelo?<br />4. Numbers of people attended: 22 children<br />5. Objective of the meeting: was to educate children about gender workshops and encourage them about 16 days of activism against women and children. second day. Was to get the feed back from the learners about gender work that they supposed to do at school and in their homes<br />6. Did you meet the objective and why or why not (be critical): Yes we meet the objectives because learners were had the clue of gender and they know the difference between gender and sex and the feed back of our homework that we gave them they did well<br />7. Reflect on workshop design-what could be improved/changed in future such workshops and why: the venue that we used was not good for us to run a workshop because other learners was interrupting us they had a noise and shouting others<br />8. Reflect on workshop facilitation-what could be improved on \ lessons learned from this for future and why? We thing we did all we supposed to do when we facilitate we think for the future we need to run the workshop in a open space and in a quite place like the community hall that we used to have it last time<br />9. What were the critical issues that emerged from this workshop and why are these critical –that we will have to think about for the future: The boys were still don’t want do practice gender equality at homes and school<br />10. What were some of the gender power issues that emerged from this workshop that we need to think about for the future: there’s no gender equally at school even that day the boys was not like to mix with the girls and the boys thought days dance are the girls thing<br /><br />Signature: Sicelo and Nozipho and Sabelo<br />Date: 11.11.2009Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-35190224891803096822009-11-23T23:13:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:14:44.956-08:00Monash Intern - Darrell HawkinsDear Jenny<br /><br />Thanks for your welcome. I have read the information about your programmes and the work you are doing sounds very exciting to me!<br /><br />From my previous study trip to Mpumalanga I'm aware that gender justice issues are so important in South Africa. I've seen that women's empowerment and a shift in attitudes towards women by men are critical in facing the HIV/AIDS challenge as well as issues of violence.<br /><br />Your program foci sound very interesting and worthwhile. I hope, above all, that I can contribute in a way that is meaningful and useful to JAW. I've been involved in internships in the past and have seen that organisations sometimes need a helping hand more in one area than another. I would like to make clear that I am most interested in working in an area that your team has identified that an intern would be most valuable, as I'm keen to contribute as much to your organisation as possible. I'm sure that it will be a valuable learning experience for me whichever area I work in, so I am happy to let your team assign me to an area in need of a short term intern.<br /><br />My personal preference would be the Youth programme as I feel I'd be well suited to working with young people, particularly boys, having done youth leader work in the past in Melbourne. As a male I am aware that I may not be suited to every position at JAW as some work may be more sensitive and it may be more appropriate for a female to work in these areas. I will leave this decision up to you as you obviously know which areas would be suitable for a male to work in.<br /><br />I'd like to achieve from the program a sense of having been part of something worthwhile. I'm very aware that it is a short internship and it is difficult to do a lot in a short time, so that's why I'm keen to work where you would value someone. Of course I'm here to learn a lot too, about South Africa, about gender and development, about HIV/AIDS and more. I'm keen on working in aid and development once I graduate and so any experience is so valuable.<br /><br />Thanks a lot- I'm really looking forward to meeting you and the team in January!<br /><br />Regards<br />Darrell<br /><br />PS- while here in Mozambique, internet is very unpredictable. I'm using my university email today as Gmail is not working today. I'd recommend emailing both this email and <a href="mailto:darrell.c.hawkins@gmail.com">darrell.c.hawkins@gmail.com</a> to ensure I get any replies!Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-32562166622645308722009-11-23T23:11:00.000-08:002009-11-23T23:12:27.751-08:00Monash Intern - Angela KanHi Everyone,<br /><br />I’m Angela, a student at Monash University Melbourne, Australia, and I’m very excited to be joining you as an intern in 2010!<br /><br />I hope I am using this blog correctly (I’m new to blogging myself), but it is great to have an open forum to connect with you all, and to provide feedback to each other.<br /><br />I have had the opportunity to read about JAW, your mission, values, goals and programmes – thanks to Jenny who sent me these documents. While the reading has helped to deepen my understanding of the work that you do, I am still a little daunted, as you have a number of programs that encompass so many different (though related) elements. In order to make the most of the internship, Jenny has asked me to express which program I am most interested in working with. Your youth program interests me greatly, as does your focus on HIV/AIDS from a gender equality perspective.<br /><br />I thought if I took this opportunity to tell you a little about my background and interests, that I might be able to get your help in suggesting where I could best contribute to your work!<br /><br />I have an interest in public health from a social justice perspective. I have focussed my studies and previous internships on elements of the social model of health. This differs from the traditional Western biomedical view of health (that simply looks to treat or cure). Instead, the social model looks at the social determinants of health, factors that occur outside the physical body - in the social environment. This includes factors such as education, employment, gender, access to and affordability of services and public policy. The social model of health focuses on interventions such as community development and engagement, raising awareness and building knowledge, advocacy, working in partnerships and creating healthy public policy.<br /><br />I have had some experience working in evaluation and monitoring, and thought there might be some way to include this in the internship. With limited resources and funding in community organisations, evaluation is often left till last. This is unfortunate, as evaluation has proved extremely important in ensuring that programs or organisations are getting the most out of what they do. It enables us to see where things are working well, where they can be improved, and also to collect proof as to the outcomes of our work (this can be important information to show to the community, to funders, or to use in support of advocacy work).<br /><br />I am really looking forward to hearing from you, and to being able to work with you next year. Ultimately I will be happy to contribute in whichever way you see fit!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />AngelaJustice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-73039983283570183172009-11-19T21:10:00.000-08:002009-11-19T21:46:30.459-08:00Trouble Signing In + Amber's Weekly Update<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c1BCWX1mVrY/SwYraqp2OUI/AAAAAAAAAAk/UReiyQ0T6hI/s1600/IMG_3525.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 192px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406056139831261506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c1BCWX1mVrY/SwYraqp2OUI/AAAAAAAAAAk/UReiyQ0T6hI/s320/IMG_3525.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Hi Everyone<br /><br /></div><div>I hear that people are having trouble logging in, so we'll have to work on that so we can keep up with one another. It was a busy week in JAW - here's what I was invovled in - let me know what has been left out:<br /><br /></div><div>1. Staff Capacity Building - Sexual Offenses Act + Sexuality. Bongi, Thobile and I (the access to justice team) did a 2-day training with Grace, Victoria, Phakamile, Ntombi, + Gcinle. We had some very interesting conversations about why rape happens, what consent means and how cultural practices like damages place the interests of men over those of women and girls who have been raped in the community. We spent the second day learning about normal sexual development in children and looked at ways to overcome our uncomfortableness with talking to our children about sex. We talked about how the silence around sex in general makes it harder to surface issues like rape and sexual abuse and how making people feel ashamed of their bodies and their sexuality is a form of power over / oppression. <br /><br /></div><div>2. Up to Melmoth - Jenny and I went to Melmoth to have a meeting with Grace, Sabelo and Nozipho and I got to see the new JAW office. It looks great and has a nice meeting space. We took up new office furniture, so it's starting to feel more like home. The youth team was running workshops this week - looking forward to hearing about how it went.<br /><br /></div><div>3. Grace showed us the movie she made in Cape Town at the Womens Net training. She made a great film about HIV testing of women during pregnancy.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>4. Jenny is off to the Cape for a leadership training course with the Proteus Initiative in conjunction with the CDRA. I hope it's rejuvinating and exciting for her -- a needed change of pace.<br /><br /></div><div>5. Christmas Party - we are getting ready for the Christmas party which will be held in Melmoth on the 18th of December. We all drew names for the secret santa exchange and are preparing our acts for the "JAW Have You Got Talent" search. So get ready!!!</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I'm looking forward to reading all the updates about Phakamile's trip to Joburg, Bongi's meeting in Durban with the Provincial VEF, Grace's trip to Cape Town, the Youth Team trainings., the women's safetly audit in Yanguye and tea sharing exercise. We are also waiting for the results of the entrance exam written by several staff who want to apply to participate in the UKZN Center for Adult Education course. We are also waiting to hear from our interns from Australia who are coming to join us in January for a few weeks. Lots going on !!</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I'm waiting to hear from you - let's try to start using this reflection space!!!</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>Take care<br /></div><div>Amber </div></div>Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2580485202411004271.post-70843123633561382922009-11-10T00:21:00.000-08:002009-11-10T00:24:58.160-08:00Phakamile's First PostI am in PMB getting ready to go to Joburg for a meeting with SANAC about home-based care policy. I worked with Jenny yesterday to read the policy. It talks about training and payment of CCWs (community care workers). I have lots of questions about the policy and also will share the information with the Network when I get back to melmoth.Justice and Women (JAW)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07675723445899260237noreply@blogger.com6