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Dr Sindiso N. Nkomo and Dr Lydia T. Chibwe
March 21st was declared by the Democratic Government of South Africa as Human Rights Day. The annual commemoration of this day provides an opportunity for taking stock on the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. To commemorate this day this year, we believe it is important to focus on the progress made by Government in protecting the sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) and rights of marginalised groups such as rural women.
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By: Belinda Matore
Historical Significance of 21 March
Every year on 21 March, South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day, a day that serves as both a tribute to the struggles of the past and a reminder of the ongoing quest for equality, justice, and dignity for all. This date is deeply rooted in the history of the Republic of South Africa, marking the anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 which was a pivotal moment in South Africa’s fight against apartheid.
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As we commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 on March 8th, the theme #AccelerateAction calls us to step forward with urgency and solidarity to tackle the systemic barriers that continue to hinder gender equality, especially in the digital age. In many parts of the world, the digital divide disproportionately affects women, limiting their access to opportunities and preventing them from fully participating in the digital economy. In Africa, these challenges are even more pronounced, with deeply entrenched inequalities in access, literacy, safety, and opportunity. This year, as we observe IWD 2025, it is important to not only reflect on the progress made but also intensify efforts to overcome the persistent barriers preventing women from fully benefiting from the digital world.
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Belinda Matore & Tendai Mbanje
Ethical considerations must be considered when sharing graphic content online. While documenting and exposing human rights violations is essential, responsible reporting is necessary to ensure that the dignity of victims is preserved.
Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for exposing human rights violations, amplifying voices that often go unheard. Incidents of extreme violence, abuse, and inhumane treatment are usually brought to public attention through widely circulated videos, forcing authorities and society to confront these issues. However, the widespread sharing of such content raises an important debate: Does the exposure of graphic violence drive accountability, or does it contribute to desensitisation and the trivialisation of human suffering?
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By Tendai Mbanje and Ludo Sekga
Botswana, often lauded for its stability and peace in the heart of Southern Africa, faces a troubling challenge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The nation's police service reported alarming statistics of 60 rape cases, 19 murders, and 13 defilements in the festive period between the 19th of December and the 2nd of January 2025. The rise of GBV and its patterns requires urgent attention and has prompted calls for action from numerous actors, particularly the government. With less than three months as the nation’s President, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko steps into a pivotal role at a critical time. With his glowing record of human rights protection and advocacy, many wonder if he will take decisive actions to address this deep-seated social epidemic in the country.
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By Dr Lydia T. Chibwe and Dr Sindiso Nkomo of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria
In Africa, millions of girls struggle to access education, and one of the most overlooked barriers is period poverty. A lack of affordable menstrual products, limited sanitation facilities and pervasive cultural taboos around menstruation result in many girls missing school every month. This disrupts their academic progress, harms their self-esteem and diminishes their future opportunities. The situation is even worse for girls with disabilities.
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By Tendai Mbanje
Introduction
Every year on 21 September, the United Nations (UN) invites the world to mark the International Day of Peace. This day was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.[1] In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate this day as a day of non-violence and cease-fire.[2] This year’s focus is on “cultivating a culture of peace”.[3] According to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, ‘‘cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment, and despair with justice, equality, and hope for all’’.[4] This day takes us back to 1945 when the UN was formed with the primary objective of promoting international peace, cooperation, security, and developing friendly relations among nations.[5] The establishment of the UN has achieved significant success in various areas. However, the organisation's peace objectives continue to face numerous challenges.
Peace is under attack, and geopolitical tensions are on the rise, undermining the objectives of the UN
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by Tendai Mbanje
On 15 September, every year, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and parliaments worldwide celebrate the International Day of Democracy, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. In its resolution A/RES/62/7 establishing the International Day of Democracy, the United Nations noted that ‘‘while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy’’ and that ‘‘democracy does not belong to any country or region’’. The International Day of Democracy is meant both to celebrate democracy and to serve as a reminder that the need to promote and protect democracy is as urgent now as ever. Interestingly, the choice of 15 September for the International Day of Democracy corresponds to the adoption in September 1997 by the IPU of a Universal Declaration on Democracy. This Declaration affirms the principles of democracy, the elements and exercise of democratic government, and the global scope of democracy.
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By Lydia Chibwe and Bianca Knight
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is annually celebrated on the 30th of August and acts as a reminder of the thousands of lives lost as a result of state-sponsored abductions. On this day, the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria reflects on a few events as they occurred in Zimbabwe, where political violence, persecution and unsolved disappearances have plagued the country for years.
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The government of Botswana should take steps to address gaps in the legal framework such as fixing of the election date, finalisation of the constitution review process and state funding of political parties which may cause political instability in the future if not resolved.
By Tendai Mbanje
Introduction
This year, many major elections are happening across the world. In Africa, about 19 elections are expected to take place throughout the year. Many democracies are being tested. The Republic of Botswana is one democracy that must pass this test. This paper is an extract from my participation as an Election Analyst and the Deputy Chief Observer of the African Centre for Governance (ACG) Pre-Election Assessment Mission to Botswana (ACG PAM), which was held from the 18th to the 20th of July 2024. Below are key issues in relation to the political context, legal framework, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), voter registration, political parties, party and campaign finances, role of media, and civil society that African citizens should know as they anticipate paying close attention to Botswana’s 2024 elections, which are expected to take place in October this year.
