The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has taken on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, topics that some may have considered too “controversial” but that fall squarely within the ambit of human rights.

By denying observer statues to the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is endorsing ‘the flagrant impunity’ enjoyed in most African states for violations of the rights of lesbian and gay people, argues Wendy Isaack.

In deeply homophobic and patriarchal South African society what does Women’s Month and National Women’s Day means for vulnerable, marginalised women? The State must enact legislation that punishes acts of violence against women and enforce policy that prevents violence and the re-assertion of patriarchal norms.