The Women's Legal Centre will be heading to the Western Cape High Court today over the issue of Muslim marriages failing to be recognised. The presenters speak to Seehaam Samaai, Women's Legal Centre Director who discuses the issue further.

Voice of the Cape Interview on Muslim marriages

Thursday 13 April 2017; The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) strongly condemns Zapiro's latest cartoon depicting a black woman being gang raped by the president and his cronies.  The WLC advances the rights of women through strategic litigation and advocacy.  We have a vision of women in South Africa free from all forms of violence in the home, work, community and society at large.
 
In the South African context violence is normalised in our society, with a disproportionate impact on women, in particular black women.  Added to this,  gender discrimination and patriarchy are ingrained in the fabric of our society.
 
The issue with Zapiro’s cartoon is about appropriation.  South Africa has not been raped, its citizens may feel helpless and angry.  But this is nothing like how women feel when they have been raped. By using the rape imagery Zapiro is appropriating women's experiences.
 
Although the WLC supports the right to freedom of expression of artists, a good cartoon makes the debate about the issue it wants to draw attention to. However what Zapiro managed to do was to make it about him.  The struggle and experiences for women in particular black women - is not for Zapiro to appropriate.
 
We are disappointed in Zapiro he is one of the most talented satirists in the country and he should have understood the complexities in depicting the rape of black women.  He dusted off an "old" cartoon and once again used rape as a metaphor to depict a political situation in South Africa.
 
Women’s organisations raised their issues with him during the previous rape metaphor debacle.  However, this time around it is male arrogance, privilege, lack of understanding and the appropriation of women’s lived reality guised in the form of alleged outrage and hidden behind artistic expression.  
 
Zapiro has shown that he has no idea of the lived experiences of a black woman being raped and what an image of gang rape does to black women living in the townships. It is a form of punishment, gang initiation, power and dominance over women.
 
Additionally, Zapiro has the power to change the narrative but he clearly failed to do so.
 
We acknowledge that the issues of rape must be raised and publicly exposed, but to conflate it with other challenges currently facing South Africa, and sentiment around Zuma politically is to belittle and trivialise rape and once again render it 'second' to the 'bigger' political issues. It is not appropriate to use rape as a metaphor for other issues; address issues as they are. Nothing compares to rape, address sexual violence directly and don't utilise it as a means to another end.
 
Africeck indicates that reported rape in South Africa is 80 women are raped for every 100 000 or 42 500 in 2016, however there is a high incidence of unreported rape.
 
Women do not report because of an inadequate and non-responsive justice system which does not effectively prosecute perpetrators. Zapiro’s cartoon depicts this reality for women and it brings out fear.
 
The greatest pain in this country falls upon the black woman. Zapiro's cartoon is neither humorous or makes a strong political point. It is insensitive and out of touch with the lived realities of women in South Africa.

Kaya FM interview with Seehaam Samaai, WLC Director, on the Zaprio Cartoon

Eusebius McKaiser and Marion Stevens chatted about the maternal deaths caused by unsafe abortion which is a cry for reproductive justice
http://www.702.co.za/articles/253178/maternal-deaths-caused-by-unsafe-abortion-a-cry-for-reproductive-justice

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Ligwalagwala FM interview with Advocate  Bronwyn Pithey
South Africans have always used violence to fight their struggles according to the Centre for the Study of Violence. Violent demonstrations and the increase in domestic violence and femicides in South Africa are not surprising.

SA uses violence to sort out its issues

On the 22nd of May, the Women's Legal Centre appeared as the friend of the court in the South Gauteng High Court in a case seeking to declare Section 18 of the Criminal Procedures Act as unconstitutional. The presenter talks to Advocate Bronwyn Pithey who heads up Violence Against Women Focus at the Women's Legal Centre more about this.

SA FM The Law Report

Pippa chats to an Attorney at the Women's Legal Centre, Bronwyn Pithey, about the organisation's plea to Jacob Zuma to dismiss Mduduzi Manana following assault charges. Mention: Cubana Int: Women's legal Centre : Attorney : Bronwyn Pithey

Pippa chats to Adv Bronwyn Pithey about WLC's plea to Jacob Zuma to dismiss Mduduzi Manana

Listen to our director Seehaam Samaai talk about why Muslim marriages matter.  Equality for All #recognisereligiousmarriages

Muslim marriages matter.

A class action lawsuit to have Muslim marriages occurred legally valid in this country has been heard in the Western Cape High Court yesterday in the afternoon. They are fighting for legal steps to ensure fairness between spouses and for marriages to be declared legal as well.

Bid to have Muslim marriage declared legally valid to be heard in court

The Women’s Legal Centre wants Government to recognize Muslim marriages as legally valid. It has taken Government to court over this issue.

WomensLegal Centre