Confronting Digital Hate: Africa’s Legal and Ethical Response to Hate Speech
Posted: 18 June, 2025 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: #NoToHate, AI, Artificial intelligence, communication landscapes, Countering Hate Speech, cyber-harassment, cyberstalking, Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, discrimination, freedom of expression, gender equality, gender-based violence, gender-sensitive enforcement mechanisms, hate speech, hateful messages, hostility, human dignity, interconnected digital age, International Day for Countering Hate Speech, new technologies, peacebuilding, printed propaganda, sexist hate speech, UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, violence, vulnerable groups 1 Comment
Author: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Every year on June 18, the world comes together to observe the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, a solemn reminder that words can wound deeply and sometimes irreparably. Hate speech is not a new problem. Throughout history, language has been weaponised to demean, divide, and destroy, but today, in our interconnected digital age, the scale, speed, and sophistication of hate speech’s spread are unprecedented. This is especially true in Africa, a continent marked by extraordinary diversity in ethnicity, religion, culture, and language, where hate speech can quickly inflame tensions and threaten peace. The devastating consequences of hate speech in Africa are not merely theoretical. The 1994 Rwandan genocide stands as the darkest example, where incendiary radio broadcasts and printed propaganda dehumanised the Tutsi minority, turning words into deadly action. This tragedy also became a powerful lesson in the importance of vigilance, legal safeguards, and coordinated responses to hateful rhetoric.
Harnessing Data for Human Rights and Sustainable Development: A Call to Action from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Posted: 23 January, 2025 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: abuse in data usage, accessible data, ACHPR, advancing human rights, Africa, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, data access, digital age, digital transformation, discrimination, economic growth, education, election processes, gender equality, governance, harnessing data access, health, human progress, poverty eradication, Privacy Concerns, privacy violations, Resolution ACHPR/Res.620 (LXXXI) 2024, sustainable development, The Africa We Want, unequal access to information, United Nations’ SDGs 1 CommentAuthor: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
In a world increasingly shaped by the digital revolution, data has become one of the most valuable resources for economic growth, governance, and human progress. From enhancing public service delivery to promoting political participation, the transformative potential of data is undeniable. However, the rapid advancements in technology also bring significant challenges, including privacy concerns, unequal access to information, and the potential for abuse in data usage. Considering these complexities, during its 81st Ordinary Session in November 2024, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), adopted Resolution ACHPR/Res.620 (LXXXI) 2024, which seeks to promote and harness data access as a tool for advancing human rights and sustainable development in Africa.
Decolonising “African values”: The future of LGBTQ+ pride and rights
Posted: 31 October, 2024 Filed under: Lesego Sekhu, Namatirayi Ngwasha | Tags: ACHPR, African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights, African countries, African values, anti-rights groups, discrimination, homophobia, homosexuality, human rights violations, LGBTQ+, political persecution, Pride Month, sexual orientation, social exclusion, South Africa Leave a comment
Author: Lesego Sekhu
Research Assistant, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
October marks Pride Month in South Africa. Historically, Pride in this country and, more broadly, the rest of the continent has been used for political advocacy, protesting against discrimination and political persecution, and reaffirming LGBTQ+ people’s rights. In the spirit of “leaving no one behind”, this year, our Pride agenda should include radical solidarity with LGBTQ+ people in other African countries who face a growing anti-rights movement specifically targeting LGBTQ+ and other sexually diverse and gender-diverse people.
Swiping Right or Wrong? The Risks of Digital Romance for Women’s Rights
Posted: 4 September, 2024 Filed under: Hlengiwe Dube | Tags: African context, challenges, compatible matches, cyberstalking, digital harassment, digital revolution, digital romance, digital technology, discrimination, identity theft, mental health, non-consensual sharing of personal information, online dating platforms, personal data, Privacy Concerns, romance, safety, smartphones, social boundaries, social media, social media networks, targeted harassment, unwanted attention, women’s rights Leave a commentAuthor: Hlengiwe Dube
Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction
In the age of digital technology, where smartphones and social media have revolutionised communication across the globe, the landscape of romance has experienced profound shifts, especially within the African context. The rise of online dating platforms and social media networks has introduced unprecedented opportunities for connection, allowing individuals to meet potential partners beyond traditional geographical and social boundaries. However, this digital revolution also brings to light a series of challenges, particularly in terms of women’s rights and safety. In many societies, gender dynamics often intersect with technology use, and consequently, women face specific issues related to privacy breaches, non-consensual sharing of personal information, and digital harassment. The potential for exploitation in online spaces further exacerbate concerns about consent and equality. This article explores the negative repercussions of digital romance on women’s rights, critically examining how these new technological avenues can both empower and endanger women, thereby highlighting the urgent need for digital literacy, robust legal frameworks, and gender sensitive interventions to ensure a safer and more equitable online environment.
Miss Universe Mauritius 2024: A landmark in the legal battle for transgender equality
Posted: 23 August, 2024 Filed under: Lakshita Kanhiya | Tags: anti-discrimination protections, Association VISA-G, beacon of hope, Central Population Database, Civil Status Act of 1981, discrimination, gender identity, human rights, international human rights treaties, Jeanny Michelle Karla Fanfan, legal framework, legal obstacles, legal recognition, LGBTQ+, Mauritius, Miss Universe Mauritius 2024, sexual orientation, stigmatisation, transgender persons, transgender rights, Young Queer Alliance Leave a comment
Author: Lakshita Kanhiya
Pan-Africa ILGA
The historic participation of Jeanny Michelle Karla Fanfan as the first transgender woman in Miss Universe Mauritius 2024 marks a significant milestone in the fight for transgender rights and inclusivity in Mauritius.[1] This moment not only symbolises progress within the realm of beauty pageants but also serves as a powerful platform to discuss the broader legal, social, and human rights challenges faced by transgender persons in Mauritius. As a general observation, the legal recognition and protection of transgender rights in Mauritius remain areas of significant concern, reflecting a broader global struggle for equality and non-discrimination.
Misinformation and disinformation in the digital age and its impact on the information ecosystem
Posted: 5 August, 2024 Filed under: Nomyezo Mqhele | Tags: accurate information, credible information, discrimination, disinformation, farm attacks, freedom of expression, Freedom of Reach, freedom of speech, heavy social media dependency, human rights violations, imposter content, information disorder, information ecosystem, misinformation, reliable news, scams, social media, South Africa, traditional media, white genocide Leave a comment
Author: Nomyezo Mqhele
Multi-disciplinary human rights lawyer
Traditional media has been replaced with social media as a source of reliable news.[1] South Africa has reached 26 million social media users as of January 2024.[2] This represents a three-fold increase from 9.8 million users in 2014 and highlights the increasing dependence of people on social media instead of traditional media.[3] This heavy social media dependency creates space for information disorder to filter through. The pervasiveness of information disorder presents a serious threat to the information ecosystem, and to society, as it has the potential to significantly alter beliefs, behaviors and policy. Such information is rarely false, but it is used to distort understanding by including elements of accurate and inaccurate claims, making it complicated to judge fair and accurate information.
Conversion Therapy in Africa: An Assault on Human Rights and Ethical Healthcare
Posted: 18 July, 2024 Filed under: Jarred H Martin, Pierre Brouard | Tags: Africa, anti-LGBTQ legislation, anti-LGBTQ sentiments, aversion techniques, cisgender, consensual same-sex sexual relationships, conversion practices, discrimination, electrical shocks to the genitals, gender identity, healthcare, healthcare settings, heterosexuality, human rights, lgbtq, medical interventions, psychological counselling, queer, religious beliefs, same-sex sexual imagery, sexual orientation, sexuality education, Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act Leave a comment |
Author: Dr Jarred H. Martin (PhD Psychology), Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria |
 |
Author: Pierre Brouard (MA Clinical Psychology), Centre for Sexualities, AIDS & Gender, University of Pretoria |
Introduction
The recent publication of Outright International’s report, Health Ethics and the Eradication of Conversion Practices in Africa, draws needed attention to the prevalence of conversion practices in Africa, particularly within the context of healthcare settings. As psychologists, we write about conversion therapy as a subset of conversion practices (including those conducted by faith and cultural practitioners, often at the behest of family) aimed at changing an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. Conversion therapy can include psychological counselling, medical interventions, and aversion techniques, such as electrical shocks to the genitals during exposure to same-sex sexual imagery.
The Status of Citizenship for Black Women in Post-Apartheid South Africa
Posted: 13 May, 2024 Filed under: Lesego Sekhu, Sinqobile Makhathini | Tags: African feminists, African women, apartheid, “face of poverty”, black women, discrimination, economic exploitation, heteropatriarchal systems, historical injustices, inequality, national oppression, post-colonial identity, racial division, South Africa, unemployment, women's rights 1 Comment |
Author: Lesego Sekhu Research Assistant, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation |
 |
Author: Sinqobile Makhathini Research Assistant, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation |
As we reflect on the celebration of International Women’s Month in March and motion towards the upcoming 2024 elections, which will be held on 29 May 2024, it is a significant time to critically reflect on Black women’s citizenship and positionality in post-apartheid South Africa.
Brief history
Historically, Black people have experienced second-class citizenry within the social, economic, and political landscape of South Africa. During apartheid, racial division was the primary strategy of ‘otherness’ that was exemplified by racialised citizen status that was reserved for white races, while the Black majority were systemically excluded from the imagination of the state. Equally, gender played a role in the divisions of labour, access to resources, and experiences of systematic violence that show apartheid as equal parts racial and equal parts gendered.
From Hope to Crisis: Senegal’s Victory and Togo’s Setback
Posted: 8 April, 2024 Filed under: Nyasha Mcbride Mpani, Uncategorized | Tags: African Union's Charter on Democracy, and Governance, authoritarian regimes, changes to the constitution, constitutional change, coups, decline in democracy, democracy, discrimination, elections, fragile region, human rights abuses, pervasive corruption, restrictions on press freedom, security, Senegal, stability, Togo Leave a comment
Author: Nyasha Mcbride Mpani
Southern African project leader, Data for Governance Alliance
A few hours after 44-year-old Senegal’s President-elect Diomaye won the hotly contested elections, which had seemed impossible due to outgoing President Macky Sall’s attempt to tamper with the constitution and defer elections to November 2024, a sense of relief swept through Senegal and the region. The elections brought a sigh of relief to a region struggling with a decline in democracy, marked by excessive executive power and a rise in popular coups. His victory comes at a crucial moment and is seen as an opportunity to strengthen democracy not only in Senegal but also in West Africa. Senegal’s return as Africa’s and West Africa’s poster child for democracy is hoped for, as the region has witnessed democratic backsliding over the past years. This regression has been characterised by pervasive corruption, authoritarian regimes, restrictions on press freedom, human rights abuses, discrimination against minorities, and economic downturns, eroding public trust.
Read the rest of this entry »Struggles and Triumphs: A close look at sexual and gender minority rights in Benin
Posted: 28 November, 2023 Filed under: Lakshita Kanhiya | Tags: Benin, bodily harm, discrimination, Freedom House Report, fundamental rights, gender minorities, harassment, human rights, national unity, non-discrimination, same-sex relations, sexual and gender minority rights, sexual assault, social stigma, violence, Working Group on Benin’s Universal Periodic Review Leave a comment
Author: Lakshita Kanhiya
Human Rights Advocate
The Republic of Benin has long been considered a beacon of democracy in West Africa.[1] However, between 2016 to 2021, the country witnessed a concerning regression in human rights, as noted in the Freedom House Report of 2021.[2] Benin transitioned from a ‘free state’ to a ‘partly free state’ during this period, in terms of its democratic credentials. Despite this regression, Benin has taken significant strides in protecting the rights of sexual and gender minorities,[3] marking a notable contrast to its neighbouring countries namely Togo, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
AfricLaw 