freedom of expression

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) was formed in 1994 to defend freedom of expression, to oppose censorship and to promote media diversity.

FXI seeks to to recruit a part-time Research Intern, based in Johannesburg.

FXI is offering an exciting internship opportunity within its Research Unit for recent graduates who are passionate about human rights and freedom of expression to contribute and gain invaluable experience in the sector.

This is a six-month internship with the possibility of extension. A monthly stipend will be offered.
 
Responsibilities:

• Assist in research planning; conceptualization, grant submissions;
• Assist in research design and development of research instruments (qualitative and quantitative);
• Review of literature;
• Data collection; conducting interviews, administering questionnaires, conducting focus group discussions;
• Transcribe focus group discussions and interview recordings;
• Data capturing (using appropriate methods and statistical packages);
• Assist in data analysis and interpretation;
• Undertake administrative tasks as requested;
• Contribute to the finalization of research outputs (conference contributions, journal publications, reports and presentations;
• Carry out other tasks which may be necessary from time to time appropriate to the post.

Requirements:

• Postgraduate (at least honours) university degree is required (with research methodology as a subject or area of study);
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and general internet and e-mail;
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research techniques and methods;
• Fluency in English and knowledge of least one other local language;
• Confident, communicator who can work comfortably with diverse groups of people;
• Capacity and flexibility to learn new methods and work routines;

• High personal motivation and self-management;
• Ability to prioritise work and manage deadlines;
• Reliable, diligent, detail-oriented worker who can see tasks through to completion;
• Accurate, honest, dependable and flexible;
• Highly organised and methodical;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle and protect sensitive data with integrity;
• Ability to establish rapport with a variety of colleagues and to work flexibly with line manager;
• Enthusiasm and willingness to learn and accept feedback.

Added advantage

• Experience in NGO environment;
• Experience in the use of statistical analysis software such as STATA.

 To apply, submit a CV, contact details of three referees and motivation letter to reception@fxi.org.za, with ‘Research Unit Intern- your name’ in the subject line.

Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted applicants only.

For more about FXI, refer to www.fxi.org.za.

For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.

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The African NGO Forum has submitted a hard-hitting list of recommendations to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) during its 53rd Ordinary session.
 
According to Richard Lee, the NGO Forum referred to a resolution on Swaziland that was adopted by the ACHPR last year, which called on the Swazi government to respect, protect and fulfill the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association, and freedom of assembly, among others.
 
Lee points out that the NGO Forum proceeded to express its deep concern that despite this encouragement by the African Commission and other intergovernmental bodies, the country remains hostile to and intransigent on the question of guaranteeing human rights.
 
To read the article titled, “African NGOs urge ACHPR to act on Swaziland,” click here.

Swazi women may have celebrated too soon when the country ratified the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development in September 2012, a regional instrument that commits all countries in the region to attain gender equality. This follows a ‘ban’ that women must not wear mini-skirts as stipulated in the Crimes Act of 1889. The Act outlaws ‘immorality and offences in public places or places of public resort and control of places of public interest’. Mini-skirts are considered indecent, a clear infringement on women's right to freedom of dressing.

Like most fashion trends, the mini-skirt has been around for donkey-years. The evolving nature of fashion is so interesting - platform shoes, maxi dresses, mini-skirts, afros and colour blocking are just a few of the trends that my mother experienced as a young woman. These same trends are back on the fashion market and making many young women gush.

However, the humble mini-skirt has caused quite a stir over the past two months in Swaziland.

It is alleged that taxi drivers and their ilk at Manzini Bus Rank once in a while pounce on women dressed in a manner that they deem unacceptable. The Manzini Bus Rank ‘attacks’ are time-old and in one extreme case, a group of men sexually violated a young woman for being ‘indecently dressed’.

During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the Swaziland Young Women's Network took to the streets dressed in mini-skirts to demand that women be allowed to dress as they please. As the young women shouted ‘enough is enough’, the perpetrators of violence taunted them. They maintained that they would not change their ways and surprisingly, they got support from the police.

The police cited the Crime Act that mini-skirts are illegal and that offenders will be fined up to US$10 or face a six months jail sentence. Wendy Hleta, the Royal Swaziland Police official spokesperson added that mini-skirts are indecent and that women who wear mini-skirts provoke rape. She maintained that because the men at the taxi rank are not happy with mini-skirts, the police will enforce the Crime Act.

To add insult to injury, some of the women who ply their trade at the bus rank supported the perpetrators and insisted that women need to ‘cover up’ if they do not want to be raped. I can bet that these are the same women who ask women who have been beaten what they did to provoke their partners. Yes, they live and walk among us.

While rape perpetrators have blamed women for dressing provocatively, researchers have found no link between rape and one's dress-code. There is no evidence to support that women dressed in mini-skirts are more likely to be raped than those dressed in ‘unrevealing’ clothes.

Our beautiful traditional attire includes a micro mini-skirt, with immaculate beadwork as its crowning glory. It just about covers the pubic area but I am yet to hear of a girl who has been raped because of wearing the traditional attire.

Baby girls barely a year old and old women who wear layers of clothing - a petticoat, long skirt and blanket - have also been sexually abused. I do not know how their dress-code provokes any man to rape them.

What we are battling to confront as a nation is that rape, like other forms of violence against women and children, is a power issue. The reason most old women and young children are attacked is because the perpetrators want to feel in control - they know that most of the time, their victims are defenceless and physically weaker than them.

In the case of the bus rank ‘employees’, I am tempted to think that these men are intimidated by women who assert their power through dressing. These men often find themselves stuck in dead-end situations where they are exposed to the unforgiving heat - day in and day out - and feel they are stuck in a rut.

The only way they can feel better about themselves is to make other people feel inferior. I am no psychologist but this is my theory and I'm sticking to it. Envy and unresolved anger does strange things to otherwise sane people.

I believe the country has bigger issues to deal with than ‘who chooses to wear what’. This is election year and we should be calling on our legislators to ensure that tougher laws are put in place to deal with people who violate other citizens' rights. We should be discussing how we can better our lives and ensure that our communities are safe for all members of society instead of a select few.

I am yet to be convinced that wearing a mini-skirt is indecent. I know many women who pull off a mini-skirt and still look very decent and professional! I do not think the amount of material used to put together an item of clothing has anything to do with decency - some people can look more decent in a really short skirt than in a pair of pants. It is just about what suits one's body shape.

I say let women wear what they want - be it tight-fitting pants, mini-skirts or traditional attire - the same goes for men!

- Bongiwe Zwane is a Public Relations Coordinator at Population Services International Swaziland. This article first appeared on the Gender Links website.

According to Stanley Kwenda, Pansy Tlakula, the African Union's Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, has done her best to address the continued harassment of journalists in the Gambia.

Kwenda argues that in her role as commissioner of the African Commission on Human Peoples' Rights, Tlakula appealed many times to the government of the West African nation to respect people's right to freedom of expression.

He quotes her as saying that, "I have written several letters to the government with regard to the recent arrest of journalists - the government is now tired of my letters. We have done everything possible to highlight the issue in the Gambia and other African countries."

To read an article titled, “Exposing the good, the bad and the lack of media freedom,” click here.