South African Feminst Forum

What?

At the AWID Forum in Cape Town in November 2008, South African women met to discuss challenges facing the South African women's  movement. The meeting, facilitated by Pregs Govender and Natasha Primo,  was entitled ‘Women in South Africa: Building our unity, our movements and our power'. In small groups we discussed the challenges that face women in South Africa today, how we feel about it, and what action needs to be taken on the situation.

At this meeting we developed and released a statement, and resolved to created opportunities for discussion and engagement on building a stronger South African feminist movement.

Photos: Laurie Adams (group photo) and Zanele Muholi

The Statement 17th November 2008

Cape Town, South Africa

We are South African Feminist Women gathered at the Association of Women Rights in Development International Conference in Cape Town from all regions in the country.

Although we have come a long way, for many women conditions remain unacceptable with endemic violence, a feminized HIV epidemic and worsening food security.

We are outraged, fearful and feel betrayed. We opposed ex-President Mbeki's position on HIV/AIDS, neo-liberal economic policies, the arms-deal and Zimbabwe. We are appalled at the current context of political intolerance, misogyny, and the language of violence by the President of the ANC, the leader of the ANC Youth League and other political leaders.

We call for an end to all the wars in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe, Congo and Darfur where women and children are experiencing the brunt of delayed resolution of conflict. This cannot be allowed to continue as normal.

With the upcoming election we will be wary of empty promises to women. We will not be used as voting fodder.  

Together today we have experienced hope and excitement at the power that a critical independent women's movement can achieve. We call on women to unite and defend women's human rights.
 
Those of us who sign this statement respect the fact that there are women whose lives would be endangered if they did so. 
 

How To Join:

Women'sNet has established an email list for further enagement. To join, please send an email to: sallys [at] womensnet [dot] org [dot] za

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Download the statement: http://womensnet.org.za/files/resources/PRESSAWID.doc