Zimbabwe’s High Court has banned corporal punishment at school and home. The ruling comes after disgruntled parents complained following the thorough beating of their children, some as young as six years old by teachers. While the ruling has been widely hailed, some conservative voices have been vocal against the abolition of corporal punishment and continue to buy into the belief, spoil the rod and spoil the child.
Human rights
Politics and Society The expectation of unpaid care work within activism – time to stop
In a world where nothing is for free, Tiffany Kagure Mugo asks, why are hard-working activists, especially women, still asked to give of their time and talent for next to nothing? It is time that society recognised the value of their labour.
Politics and Society Shrinking Spaces for Nigerian Civil Society?
An interview with Eze Onyekpere the director of the Centre for Social exploring the shrinking spaces for Nigerian civil society?
Politics and Society Is South Africa Reverting to a Repressive State?
Since the Marikana massacre in 2012, several journalists, academics and media commentators have argued that South Africa is reverting to a repressive state. Could South Africa be turning into a repressive State?
Politics and Society A South African shame: children in prisons
Within the bill of rights of the Constitution of South Africa there is a section which outlines a set of separate, additional rights for children. Section 28 provides a stronger set of rights for children than for adults, including the right for a child not to be detained except as a measure of last resort, recently explored in the Constitutional Court judgement in the Radhuva case. Are children in South Africa being held in adult prisons for too long and are they being rehabilitated?
Politics and Society What South Africans really think about gay rights and homosexuality
The results of a new study, A Survey of South African Attitudes to Homosexuality and Gender Non-Conformity, have just been released. Conducted by The Other Foundation and the Human Sciences Research Council the survey provides for the first time “statistically sound, nationally representative data” on the attitudes of South Africans to sexual orientation.
Politics and Society Human trafficking in Malawi goes unabated
In July 2016, a truck carrying 57 Malawian children was intercepted in South Africa – after the driver and his two accomplices had successfully navigated their way through the Mozambique and Zimbabwe border posts. Problem Masau probes deeper to find out about human trafficking in Malawi.
Politics and Society The Gambia passes Children’s Amendment Bill: Orders 20-year jail term for child marriage
The Gambian parliament has passed the Children’s Amendment Bill bill banning child marriage, as part of the government’s commitment to fight and prevent the practice. The bill orders that offenders will face 20 years in prison. The provision comes after President Yahya Jammeh’s recent declaration of a ban on child marriage. The landmark decision has been hailed by many rights groups and citizens.
Politics and Society Universal education: how to move from talk to action
With the recently concluded 27th African Union Assembly themed around human rights, Richard Munang and Robert Mgendi argue that universal access to education is a crucial step towards empowering citizens on the continent.