HIV negative sex workers find it hard to take ARVs

• Source: https://www.health-e.org.za/2017/12/01/hiv-negative-sex-workers-find-hard-take-arvs/

#DontLookAway: Mom convicted of lying to protect her infant’s rapist

Johannesburg – A Soweto mother has been convicted of helping and protecting a man who raped her two-month-old baby and for lying to police and doctors to conceal the incident.

Medical examinations concluded that the infant experienced similar injuries as those suffered by women who are victims of female genital mutilation.

The mother stunned the high court in Joburg on Tuesday minutes before the judgment was handed down as she started sniffing and crying from the dock as Judge Carla van Veenendaal went through her ruling, describing the events around the incident and the role the mother played to protect her child’s rapist.

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• Source: https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/gauteng/dontlookaway-mom-convicted-of-lying-to-protect-her-infants-rapist-12283433

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwDPKoHQQbI&feature=youtu.be

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Condoms will soon be accessed by teenagers at their schools

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga gazetted the department’s finalised National policy on HIV, STIs and TB for learners, educators, school support staff and officials in all primary and secondary schools in the basic education sector last Friday.

The policy paved way for private distribution of condoms to pupils over 12, the age in which the government stipulates children have a right to access sexual and reproductive health services without parents’ consent.

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‘Crimes against women have risen 9.7%’

During the launch of Women’s Month celebrations on Tuesday, Northern Cape Premier Sylvia Lucas indicated that incidents of violent crimes including rape and murder, against women and children had increased by 9.7% since the beginning of the year.

She urged society and especially men to join hands in combating the scourge of women and child abuse.

“Since the beginning of this year a number of shocking incidents of violence and abuse have been making the headlines. As we join to celebrate Women’s Month let us honour our women and children by acting together to prevent abuse and to ensure a safer society for our women and children.”

Lucas stated that President Jacob Zuma would deliver the official Women’s Day address at the Galeshewe Stadium on August 9.

“The president will make announcements with regard to women’s economic emancipation and address issues of gender-based violence and the role that government is playing in fighting this scourge. There will also be exhibitions showcasing government’s achievements and programmes aimed at women empowerment, especially in mining and agriculture which are key in our province.”

She added that various activities would be held during the month which would focus on girl and women development and empowerment.

“Together with the national Department of Women we will also be rolling out dialogues on violence against women to help combat the continued scourge of violent attacks and abuse against women. The dialogues will serve as a platform for deepening democracy whilst also ensuring safer and crime-free communities, especially for our women and children.

“Emanating from this dialogue there should be a gender-based violence strategy so as to ensure that we walk our talk.”

Lucas indicated that women empowerment could not be achieved without improving access to land, education, health services and social infrastructure.

“The Northern Cape will continue to place specific emphasis on the socio-economic empowerment of women,” she said.

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