Posted on September 23, 2015
Sonke Gender Justice, the Gender Unit at the Centre for Human Rights University of Pretoria and the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Genderat the University of Pretoria are offering the “Challenging Gender Inequality: Rights, Roles and Responsibilities” short course exploring the foundations of a human-rights based approach within a feminist framework to challenge gender inequality.
Venue:
Graduate Centre, University of Pretoria Main Campus
Sonke Gender Justice Network
Sonke Gender Justice (Sonke) is a South African-based NGO that works across Africa to strengthen government, civil society and citizen capacity to support men and boys in taking action to promote gender equality, prevent domestic and sexual violence, and reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS. Using a human rights framework to achieve gender equality, Sonke endeavours to create the change necessary for all to enjoy equitable, healthy and happy relationships that contribute to the development of just and democratic societies. Sonke has an expanding presence on the African continent and a growing international profile through its involvement with the United Nations and its role as co-chair of the Global MenEngage Alliance and Chair of the MenEngage Africa Network, as well as other international networks and affiliates.
Sonke is involved in a wide range of initiatives and activities which encompass its multi-faceted approach to promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS. This includes research and advocacy at both the community and policy levels; community education, outreach, and mobilisation; building networks and effective coalitions; coordinating global efforts to engage men; monitoring and evaluation of its projects and initiatives; and on-going staff training to improve internal capacity.
For more information on Sonke Gender Justice Network go to www.genderjustice.org.za
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
The Centre for Human Rights is both an academic department and a non-governmental organisation, and works towards human rights education in Africa, a greater awareness of human rights, the wide dissemination of publications on human rights in Africa, and the improvement of the rights of women, people living with HIV, indigenous peoples, sexual minorities and other disadvantaged or marginalised persons or groups across the continent.
The Centre was established in the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, in 1986, as part of domestic efforts against the apartheid system of the time. Members of the Centre participated in meetings with the liberation movements outside the borders of South Africa, organised conferences and participated in efforts to promote human rights in South Africa, and, when the transition came, served as technical advisors to both the interim and final constitution writing processes. The focus of the Centre has now broadened beyond the borders of South Africa. Over the years, it has positioned itself in an unmatched network of practising and academic lawyers, national and international civil servants and human rights practitioners across the entire continent, with a specific focus on human rights law in Africa, and international development law in general.
Today, a wide network of Centre alumni contribute in numerous ways to the advancement and strengthening of human rights and democracy all over the Africa continent, and even further afield. In 2006, the Centre for Human Rights was awarded the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education, with particular recognition for the African Human Rights Moot Court Competition and the LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa.
Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender,University of Pretoria
The Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) is the new name for the Centre for the Study of AIDS (CSA&G). Since 1999, the CSA&G has been a semi-autonomous centre based at the University of Pretoria, more recently under the intellectual umbrella of the Faculty of Humanities, with the mandate to develop institutional, local, regional and international responses to HIV and AIDS. This has been informed by innovative theory and research as well as experiences of engaging with communities of various kinds. It has sought to understand the social and structural drivers and impact of HIV and AIDS, teasing out more complex aspects of what is sometimes seen as a purely biomedical phenomenon. Using HIV and AIDS as both a lens and a springboard, the CSA&G now explores, at the university and beyond, themes of: social and community justice; institutional and social transformation; sexual and reproductive health and rights for all; sexual diversity and sexual citizenship; the challenges and dynamics of gender, identity, race and class; personal and social leadership for active citizenship and political accountability; and effective community engagement and the promotion of community wellness.
For more information on CSA&G projects and publications go to www.csa.za.org
The course is aimed at practitioners from across the continent working in areas relating to gender, development, health and human rights. Although the course has a strong theoretical emphasis, components of the course will focus on equipping participants with practical advocacy skills for tackling gender inequality. This will be done through a mix of didactic and experiential work.
The course will interrogate a spectrum of approaches to gender justice and injustice, including feminism, patriarchy, intersectionality and the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality. The course will also explore the impact of culture, tradition and religion on gender norms and inequality, reflect on the gendered nature of violence and economic inequality and critically reflect on some of the linkages between gender, health and human rights, such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, and issues facing LGBTI and sexual minority communities.
At the end of the course participants will have significantly improved their knowledge in the areas of feminist approaches to gender and development, the links between masculinities and gender justice and promising practices engaging men and boys for gender equality within a feminist framework. Participants will be able to apply this learning to their current and future employment at the programmatic, research and policy levels.
The course modules will focus on the following areas:
The course will run for 5 days from Monday 2 to Friday 6 November 2015.
The sessions will use a mix of documentaries, case studies, roundtables and interactive discussions with lecturers. A reading pack will be provided to the participants and additional resources will be shared electronically.
If you are interested in attending this course, please submit a one-page motivation letter and a two-page resume which briefly summarises your personal and professional background, and qualifications, which are relevant to your application.
Closing date for applications is 2 October 2015. Applications submitted after closing date will not be considered.
If you wish to apply and currently reside within South Africa, please send a motivational letter and resume to [email protected] by 2 October 2015.
If you wish to apply and currently reside outside South Africa, please send a motivational letter and resume to [email protected] by 2 October 2015.
We will let successful applicants know by Monday 12 October so that they can make the necessary travel and leave arrangements, where appropriate.
There are no registration fees. Accommodation and course costs (lecturers’ fees, meals, materials) will be covered by the hosts. Out of town participants from South Africa who require travel scholarships will be asked to write a motivation letter.
Unfortunately, the hosts will not be able to cover the travel costs of participants from other African countries who – if selected – will have to cover their travel expenses to South Africa.
For further details contact
The course organisers wish to express its appreciation to Irish Aid for the financial support in making this short human rights course possible.
Short Course: Challenging Gender Inequality: Rights, Roles and Responsibilities
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