Gathering as resistance in the Nama and Damara community
Posted: 20 December, 2024 Filed under: Sinqobile Makhathini | Tags: colonial legacies, cultural heritage, cultural preservation, culture, Damaraland, economic empowerment, holistic Indigenous healing, home-based abortions, Indigenous practices, medicinal knowledge, Nama people, Namibia, traditional healing practices, Western medical standards 1 Comment
Author: Sinqobile Makhathini
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
It was the middle of winter, and all nineteen of us sat in our polypropylene chairs – closely arranged, our eyes fixed on Ouma Dudu as she took out her bag filled with indigenous herbs and medicines from the Damara people. She unrolled each herb one by one, laying them out in her black bag. Some were stored in old Nola containers for preservation. Chairs creaked as we leaned forward, curiosity and excitement narrowing the space between us.
As Ouma introduced us to various medicines – like Sã-i, used for good luck and as a perfume, and ǃNãu/aru, a remedy for bladder infections, period pains, and even as an abortifacient – our smiles grew wider, and the room filled with eager whispers. With each revelation, our curiosity deepened. Yet, when the demonstration ended, a deeper question lingered. For the Khoisan communities present, this gathering meant more than just learning; it marked a step towards healing from a long history of violence that has scarred the Nama and Damara. Was this gathering the very ‘work in motion’ that Athambile Masola (2020) calls ukuzilanda, the act of reclaiming oneself by engaging with collective histories? The notion of remembering oneself through telling intimate stories of our past?
Spotlighting ACHPR Resolution 522: Protecting Women Against Digital Violence in Africa
Posted: 11 December, 2024 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, ACHPR Resolution 522, Africa, Cultural and social norms, cultural norms, cyberstalking, digital gender gap, Digital Violence, doxxing, gender inequality, gender-based violence, gender-sensitive media literacy, harmful surveillance laws, online harassment, social media platforms, violence against women, women’s rights Leave a comment
Author: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
The rise of digital technology has reshaped the world in various ways. While it has promoted progress in communication, education, and economic empowerment, it has also given rise to new forms of gender-based violence. In particular, women in Africa face unique challenges in the digital space, where digital violence, such as cyberstalking, online harassment, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, is becoming increasingly prevalent. In response to this growing issue, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) adopted a landmark resolution in 2022 aimed at addressing the protection of women from digital violence. This resolution (ACHPR/Res. 522 (LXXII) 2022) is an important step in ensuring that women’s rights are upheld in the digital realm, as part of the broader agenda of combating gender-based violence.
AfricLaw 