Equality Rights

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Mental Health in an Unequal World

10 October 2021 marks World Mental Health day. The World Federation for mental health has themed this year’s event “Mental Health in an Unequal World”. Mental health conditions can substantially affect all areas of life, such as school or work performance, relationships with friends and family, and the ability to…

Thabo Buthelezi10 Oct 2021

Children's Rights Malawi News Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

News Release: Malawi High Court awards damages for unlawful detention of pregnant learners

On 28 September 2021, the High Court of Malawi, sitting at Mzuzu, in the case of ON and Others v Attorney General awarded damages for false imprisonment against the state in a case where a First Grade Magistrate had imposed fines on learners and their parents for the learners’ pregnancy,…

Staff Writer6 Oct 2021

Botswana News SOGIE Rights

MEDIA ADVISORY: BOTSWANA COURT OF APPEAL SETS HEARING DATE FOR DECRIMINALISATION CASE FOR 12 OCTOBER 2021

On 11 June 2019, a full bench of the Botswana High Court unanimously found that the criminalisation of consensual same-sex sexual activities violates the constitutional rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons to dignity, liberty, privacy and equality. This decision was appealed by the State. The appeal is set…

Staff Writer30 Sep 2021

Articles and Opinions Blog Children's Rights Malawi Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Malawi’s obligation to enact the Termination of Pregnancy Bill

In February 2021, Malawi was due to debate the Termination of Pregnancy Bill in Parliament. The Bill had finally been tabled after years of advocacy and various forms of resistance. There had been much debate over the Bill and what it represents, characterised by rabid resistance from some mainly religious…

Tambudzai Gonese27 Sep 2021

Articles and Opinions Children's Rights Zimbabwe

Tragic lack of urgency in dealing with child marriages

On 15 August 2021, Tambudzai Gonese-Manjonjo wrote an article for the Standard (Zimbabwe) tackling the lack of urgency in dealing with child marriages. Read the article here .

Staff Writer21 Sep 2021

Disability Rights Health Rights Research Reports & Policy Briefs SADC

An exploratory study of the interaction between the criminal justice system and persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in Nairobi, Kenya

Access to justice has long seemed elusive for persons with various intellectual or psychosocial disabilities in Kenya. The fear of a child with an intellectual or psychosocial disability growing up and encountering the justice system only never to be heard from again is a frequent topic of discussion amongst caregivers.…

Staff Writer13 Sep 2021

Disability Rights Zambia

MEDIA ADVISORY: DEAF PERSON CHALLENGES DISCRIMINATORY DENIAL OF ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Mr Kasongo Kafwembe, a deaf person filed a case in the High Court against the ZCAS University (1st Respondent) challenging the denial of access to enrolment for a degree in the university. The denial was based on his disability. The petitioner alleges that the denial of access to enrolment for…

Staff Writer17 Aug 2021

Botswana Disability Rights News

Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Botswana

On 12 August 2021, the United Nations office issued a notification (Ref: C.N.216. 2021.TREATIES-IV.15) communicating Botswana’s accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) with effect from 11 August 2021. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SALC) applauds the Government of Botswana for ratifying CRPD after years…

Staff Writer16 Aug 2021

Criminal Justice Judgments News SADC Sex Worker Rights

NEWS RELEASE: ABUJA HIGH COURT DENOUNCES VIOLATION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

12 August 2021, Abuja – On 5 August 2021, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, per Justice Maha, handed down a groundbreaking decision against law enforcement agencies that violated women’s rights. The Applicants were among 71 women who were arrested at various public spaces in Abuja between 17 and…

Anneke Meerkotter12 Aug 2021

Children's Rights Criminal Justice Malawi News

News Release: Malawi High Court declared detention of children in police custody unlawful

Blantyre, 30 July 2021 – The Malawi High Court today delivered a judgment declaring the lower Court’s detention of children in police custody unlawful. The presiding Judge, Justice Chirwa, stated that the applicants’ detention in Limbe Police Station was unlawful, and the Court ordered their immediate release from custody. The…

Staff Writer30 Jul 2021