Eradicating violence and discrimination against women in Zimbabwe is an arduous task that demands hands-on training and mobilization in the rural areas where the violence is most prevalent. Not by a well-meaning Western NGO, mind you, but by the women themselves.

In a commitment to gender equity Namibia’s government will introduce a new system to achieve 50 percent representation of women in leadership positions. Will it really change the socio-economic, political structures and mind-set in the country?

The arrest and trial of the women once again highlights unacceptable state repression. The seven have been denied release pending hearing of their case, which resumes in September

Migration from Africa has historically been a male-dominated phenomenon, but the pattern has changed significantly in recent decades. African women are leaving their countries of birth to create new lives elsewhere. Economic opportunities are primarily available in childcare, domestic and sex work. These trends should be of special interest to those in the policy-making spaces who are concerned about the wellbeing of female migrants

Following institutionalized discrimination against homosexuals in various African countries, a debate focusing on the human security implications of this is vital. Discrimination, arrests and violence towards real or perceived homosexuals negatively affect security, health care, the economy, human development and democracy.

Angelou’s contributions to literature and social movements will remain as an inspiration to today’s youth as well as future generations.

A coalition of organisations and human rights defenders working to advance human and peoples’ rights welcomes the adoption of a Resolution on Protection Against Violence and other Human Rights Violations Against Persons on the Basis of their Real or Imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity' by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 55th session held in Luanda, Angola, April 2014.

Words in a poem, in reaction to the abducted Chibok girls; there are many more such stories around the world. It is dedicated to women and girls suffering from similar or same circumstances. At the same time, I am compelled to add to this, words from Amina Mama delivered in a speech at the AU’s 50th anniversary: "Let us make it clear to the world that violence and tolerance of violence are not endemic, not an “African tradition”, nor simply what black men do to women. Rather they are the results of systemic injustices."

Amira Ali takes a critical look at the reconstructed identities of East African women along western political imagination. The identities, as expressed in hip-hop lyrics, objectify women from the region as being quite not African, amplifying the myths of western anthropologists of the past

The current outbreak of homophobia and enactment of laws against LGBTI persons in Africa have their roots in colonialism. African cultures are generally tolerant of difference

Her principled stance for truth and justice in defiance of government and injustice, has earned her international accolades. You can join the campaign for her release

Namibia needs to tackle the problem of gender based violence in the country. A new degree in gender and development studies will assist in grappling with such problems. However, some argue that dealing with the epidemic of gender violence facing Namibia will require more than developing academic programmes

International Women’s Day on 8 March 2014 marked 40 years commemoration of women in an unequal world. In Lagos, Benin and Abuja women protested against the brutal killing and abduction of innocent students in Yobe, Nigeria. Women continue to mobilise for action and change around the world

Guidelines to national, regional and international partners on how to offer support now that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill has become law

Young lesbians face a lot of hardships, right from their homes to a rabidly homophobic world outside. But they can stop being victims by taking their lives into their hands, as this powerful case of Namibia shows

On 20 December 2013, the Ugandan Parliament passed the ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’, which is now law. The law not only broadens the criminalisation of adult consensual same-sex relations, but lays down prison term for anybody defending LGBTI rights as well as health and sexual education providers. LGBTI rights defender Clare Byarugaba explained the context and potential consequences of the Bill. Watch

The constitution’s Equality Clause ensuring non-discrimination because of sexual orientation was not South African exceptionalism or simply the benevolence of the ANC: it was the result of consistent work by anti-apartheid gay activists, including black women

It is intriguing that even faiths whose adherents never sit around the same fire seem to converge on a vehement denunciation of LGBTI persons. Narrow interpretations of the scriptures are responsible for this bigotry. For sustainable peace, believers should instead learn to embrace the ‘other’

With the advent of the pervasive information and communications technologies, communities advocating sexual and gender minority rights can learn useful lessons on how to deploy these technologies to further the cause

As these three sad stories show, refugees and asylum seekers who happen to be gay are subjected to the double stigma and violence of homophobia and xenophobia in the Rainbow Nation that has some of the most progressive inclusive laws in the world