6 January 2021 IN REMEMBRANCE OF DONNA GAIL FORTUIN 1980 – 2021 It is with deep sadness that The Women’s Legal Centre and its staff report the passing of our dearest colleague and friend, Donna Gail Fortuin. Donna passed away in the early hours of 6 January 2021 at Constantiaberg Hospital in Cape Town due…
Continue ReadingThe Supreme Court of Appeal affirms the obligation of the state to take steps to recognise Muslim marriages in South Africa The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) notes the judgment handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal today, 18 December 2020, which recognises the injustice and stigma suffered by Muslim women in South Africa because…
Continue ReadingTowards a compassionate feminist society Statement by the Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) on Reconciliation Day, 16 December 2020 This year, Reconciliation Day presents us all with another opportunity to consider how painfully far we remain from the values and principles adopted in drafting the Constitution of South Africa. It is an opportunity to strengthen our…
Continue ReadingThe Recognition of Muslim Marriages in South Africa The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) was back in the Supreme Court of Appeal yesterday after being unable to reach agreement with the state on key issues that affect Muslim women. Cape Town, 1 October – The case was heard by the Judges of the Supreme Court…
Continue ReadingThe Bwanya Statement A win for #equalityinrelationships Cape Town, 30 September 2020 – The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) welcomes the judgment handed down by the Western Cape High Court this afternoon relating to the rights of women living in opposite sex domestic partnerships. “I find that the failure to include the heterosexual partnerships within s1(1)…
Continue ReadingAnother delay, but a key concession in realising Muslim women’s rights in marriage The Women’s Legal Centre is hopeful that the President and the Minister of Justice will meet their Constitutional obligations and that a resolution will be found by the end of the Court’s term next month. Cape Town, 26 August 2020 –…
Continue ReadingProtecting Safe Access To Sexual And Reproductive Health Services During Covid-19 The Women’s Legal Centre, Section 27 and the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition have once again called upon Minister of Health, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, to urgently and unequivocally confirm that sexual and reproductive health services are available and accessible to womxn at public health…
Continue ReadingPROTECTING SAFE ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES DURING COVID-19 The Women’s Legal Centre, Section 27 and the Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition are calling upon Minister of Health, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, to urgently and unequivocally confirm that sexual and reproductive health services are essential services in terms of the Covid-19 regulations, and that…
Continue ReadingWOMEN’S LEGAL CENTRE’S WORKERS’ DAY STATEMENT The need to commemorate and celebrate Workers’ Day is now more important than ever. The world is currently faced with a fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has brought into stark light the many contradictions in our world of unequal distribution and enjoyment of rights. The reality for too…
Continue ReadingMEDIA STATEMENT: HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD 21 March 2019 Equality is one of the substantive rights enshrined in our Constitution, which is praised for being one of the most progressive constitutions in the world in terms of socio-economic and human rights. It was a struggle for equality which ignited the Sharpeville protests 59…
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