The African Masculinity Symposium, co-hosted by the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) and the School of Journalism and Media Studies, occurred earlier this month at Eden Grove Blue. The event aimed to tackle the topic of Challenging Patriarchal Norms for a Safer and More Equitable Society. The objective was to address pressing matters such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and its connection to violent masculinities; and how it has provoked social media movements and prompted national debates calling on the need for change.

The International Society of Critical Health Psychology (ISCHP) recently launched its inaugural awards at its bi-annual conference, hosted across several virtual hubs worldwide. Rhodes University researcher and academic Distinguished Professor Catriona Macleod and two of her Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme (CSSR) alumnae featured extraordinarily well at the awards.

There is an African saying, “You have to mutter a word before entering someone’s household” (Ubodumzela xa ungena komny’umzi)

Every parent declares that they love their child/children unconditionally. This was the same for me, I was raised in a very Christian house, where anything but the very best you could give was not accepted. I was told I was a manifestation of my mother’s faith and my father’s sacrifices. Unknowingly, this put a significant amount of pressure on my life to be nothing but the best at everything I attempted. It also had the effect of making near impossible for me to allow myself failure. It translated further than just my academics. It coloured how I interacted with people, my growth and my anxiety.

Writing this blog after the month of June, which is pride month around the world, has made me contemplate how far the queer community has come, but also about how much further we have to go. I am writing from my personal computer in my quarantined home during a global pandemic. During this incredibly difficult time, it has been an enormous help that most people have some form of access to the internet using a computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone. This is all thanks to one individual. This person is credited with saving millions of lives during the Second World War due to the invention of the first reprogrammable machine. He is the founder of computer science and artificial intelligence. His name is Alan Turing. Most people do not know his name as quickly as say, Steve Jobs, arguably because of his sexuality. He was a gay man in 1940s Britain.

The Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research unit (CSSR) undertakes yearly work-in-progress (WIP) colloquia where members present on their current research. These colloquia offer a regular and ongoing forum in which members of the CSSR team can present on their research for the purpose of getting feedback from colleagues and supervisors. The WIP colloquia offer valuable opportunities for engagement at all stages of the research process - from initial conceptualisation, research design, data collection, data analysis, and preparing work for presentation or publication.

The April graduation ceremonies at Rhodes University were a cause for celebration at the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction Research Unit. Five researchers from the CSSR received various postgraduate degrees for their work in sexualities, all under the supervision of Distinguished Professor Catriona Macleod.

On the 21st of August the Nkoli-Fassie society organized an LGBTea with Jessica Lynn. Arriving five minutes late for the meeting, I was surprised to find the room empty. I wondered if I had arrived at the right venue, but the tea and coffee was neatly laid out in anticipation of an intimate evening chat, and I had double-checked the venue before I arrived. As I stood, contemplating my next move, I heard loud and joyous laughter coming from the art studio next door. Looking in, I saw an older woman excitedly talking to the first year art students and peering attentively at their artwork. She had long blonde hair and spoke animatedly to those in the room. “This is such a wonderful space!” she exclaimed, gesturing at the walls bedecked with colourful art and rough ink paintings. “There’s just so much fun stuff happening!”

Dr Ulandi du Plessis, a Rhodes University PhD graduate and postdoc fellow at the Critical Studies in Sexuality and Reproduction Unit, has been recognised by the British Psychological Society’s Psychology of Women and Equalities Section (POWES) and Feminism & Psychology after her submission on the governing of pregnancy in South Africa received 72/72 from the reviewers.

In South African schools there is a vast misconception on what youth sexualities are. Socialization plays an enormous role in how one represents their sexuality. In schools, the youth are sexualized by their educators. Youth and youth sexuality are sexual constructs. Therefore, they are hegemonic and become rife, enduring and are expressed universally (Frizelle, Jwili & Nene, 2013). Youth sexuality is constructed as dangerous, deviant and taboo in African societies. In South Africa, programs such as LoveLife and Tsha Tsha have shifted from sentimental constructs on the youth to positioning them as social agents and engaged citizens (Frizelle, Jwili & Nene, 2013).

March 10 is Abortion Provider Appreciation day, a day that began in 1996 in memory of Dr David Gunn, the first abortion provider to be murdered (on that day in 1993) in the United States. It is a day to honour every provider who dedicates his or her life to help women and make reproductive choice possible. Without abortion providers, there is no access to abortion and no “choice” (Stevens, 9 March 2012)

In March the CSSR was fortunate to host Professor Marc Epprecht to present on the topic of “Science, history and sexuality: Uganda’s scientific statement on homosexuality in context”.

Kieno Kammies from Cape Talk speaks to Distinguished Professor Catriona Macleod, SARChI Chair of the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme at Rhodes University about why there is still such a high demand on the black market for abortion tablets despite abortion on demand being legal for over two decades.

“Xolani, a lonely factory worker, joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best kept secret, Xolani’s entire existence begins to unravel…”

I was lucky to be part of the recent research retreat organized by the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) research programme, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. The idea of a research retreat is not entirely new to me. I have heard about it, seen online advertisements about it, heard friends and colleagues talk about them, and even fantasized about attending one. But unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to attend any until now.

Rhodes University’s Distinguished Professor Catriona Macleod, a recipient of numerous awards, presented her lecture titled “Adolescent sexual and reproductive health: controversies, rights and justice” at the Eden Grove Blue Lecture theatre on 10 October 2018.

Members of the CSSR presented research findings at an early celebration of International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome awareness day in Mdantsane on the first of September. The event was set up by FASfacts and the Eastern Cape Liquor Board, with support from Distell. The research project aims to describe the prevalence and intensity of alcohol usage during pregnancy in the East London area

A recently released video by South African Breweries claims to increase awareness of the effects of alcohol on the developing foetus. The video shows expecting mothers place a stethoscope on their abdomen to hear the pre-recorded plea of a child, claiming to be ‘inside your tummy’, to refrain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It is called the ‘Sobering Stethoscope’, and effectively represents the shortcomings of South African interventions to alcohol-exposed pregnancies.

Over my years of engaging in research projects, I have often drawn inspiration from the tortoise. Ungainly, lacking in grace, good looks, charm, and above all, speed, it nevertheless always ‘gets there.’

The Abortion & Reproductive Justice: The Unfinished Revolution III conference is hosted by the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) research program of Rhodes University in conjunction with the Department of Social Development; the International Campaign for Women's Right to Safe Abortion and the Sexual & Reproductive Justice Coalition. The conference took place from the 08-12 July 2018.

The International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) is documenting the effects of the Global Gag Rule in the different sociopolitical contexts of affected countries. The Global Gag Rule is a policy that prohibits non US organizations receiving funding from the US government from participating in acts that are seen as actively promoting abortion.

Rhodes University recently commended three African reproductive justice champions during the Abortion and Reproductive Justice: The Unfinished Revolution III conference held on campus during 8-12 July 2018, and hosted by the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) research unit and partners.

The emotions of researching emotionally difficult topics are often over-looked in academic discourse. Yet, the emotionally engaged researcher bears witness of the pain, suffering, humiliation, and indignity of others over and over again – Campbell, 2002, p.150.

Recently, the world saw the majority of the Republic of Ireland voting in favour of repealing its Eighth Amendment, which has, up to now, had very stringent anti-abortion laws. However, this referendum vote comes shortly after the US’s seeming backwards-moving abortion policy Gag Rule introduced by the Trump-Pence administration on 22 May.

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community (WHO, 2014). This article will reflect on data collected through using narrative interviews of a research project about alcohol use in pregnancy.

Rhodes University’s Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) research programme will be co-hosting a flagship conference to address abortion and reproductive justice issues in July.

In the dating context, men and women have been prescribed different gendered roles, which ultimately shape interactions between them. Different ideas about how a first date should end exist. For those looking to get romantically involved, negotiations for consent and sex begin at the first date, with different consequences for the sexes. Men who have sex on the first date receive very little social backlash, while women who do the same are branded as “loose”. These perceptions are entrenched in stereotypes which oppose notions of sexual liberation, particularly for women. Although appearing seemingly liberated, modern dating culture is infused with discriminatory social attitudes and behaviour.

Whenever I am asked about the topic of my research, I tend to give a sigh (for a multitude of reasons) and then explain that I am studying women’s experiences of feticide from a critical health psychology perspective. Following the blank look on their face I tend to go on to explain the following:

The SheDecides movement emerged as a response to the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule (GGR) – a US policy which has devastating effects for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls across the globe.

As a student, especially from a previously elitist university like Rhodes University, one sometimes finds oneself moving in between starkly different spaces. This obviously means different things for many people.

Dr Tracey Feltham-King presented a key-note address entitled: "A Psychological Moment(um): Reflections about who we want to be" at the annual Rhodes University Psychology Department postgraduate conference on the 20th October 2017. In the presentation, she referred to a paper written by Michelle Fine (2012) entitled: “Resuscitating Critical Psychology for Revolting Times” and pointed out that the double meaning in that title is very pertinent in our context.

“…boys will be boys” and will naturally do “boy things.” By the same token, “men will be men” and will continue to do “men things.” (Bird, 1996, p. 125)

Congratulations to Catriona Macleod who has been awarded the title of Distinguished Professor by Rhodes University in recognition of her outstanding scholarly achievement and intellectual leadership. We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this honour!

The Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University recently hosted students who had published papers or received awards at a special function.

I took the opportunity to present a paper based on my research (Feticide, the woman and the doctor) and represent the CSSR (and Rhodes University) at the Free State Provincial Health Research Day this week. It made sense, as I make use of the public health services provided in the Free State and work to assist with the training of medical students in this province as well.

The Pan African Psychology Union (PAPU) held its first conference in Durban, South Africa from 18 to 21 September 2017. During the opening ceremony, three speakers welcomed delegates from around the African continent.

Rhodes University’s Psychology researcher won a top award and fifteen received honourable mentions at the Student Presentation Awards during the inauguration of continental 2017 Pan African Psychology Union conference in Durban recently.

“What is it?” Harry asked shakily. “This? It is called a Pensieve,” said Dumbledore. “I sometimes find, and I am sure you know the feeling, that I simply have too many thoughts and memories crammed into my mind…At these times I use the Penseive. One simply siphons the excess thoughts from one’s mind, pours them into a basin, and examines them at one’s leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form.’ (Rowling, 2000).

Under the South African constitution there are protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation nevertheless whilst South African legislation is praised for its progressive commitment to social justice and transformation, implementation is far from picturesque.

I was very privileged to attend a conference in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12th – 15th July, with my supervisor, Prof. Catriona Macleod. It was organised by the International Association for the Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society, and its theme is the title of this piece.

In July of this year the annual Vuyisile Mini Winter School was hosted by the Institute of Social and Economic Research in conjunction with the Neil Aggett Labour Studies Unit and the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction Unit at Rhodes University in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Named in honour of a comrade of the South African labour movement and liberation struggle, this school is aimed at trade union office bearers in the Eastern Cape and associated labour based organisations. It seeks to create a space in which all participants can critically engage with ideas of social democracy, particularly those that pertain to the link between social policy and labour market interventions.

South African higher education institutions ought to raise awareness and condemn rape culture to challenge and deconstruct the harmful ideologies many students enter universities with. According to Fanflik (2007) rape has many physical and emotional reactions such as, but not limited to: aches and pains like head; back and stomach aches; heart palpitations; changes in sleeping patterns; appetite and interest in sex; fear; grief; outbursts of anger; intrusive thoughts of the trauma; nightmares; feelings of helplessness; attempts to avoid anything associated with the trauma; tendency to isolate oneself; difficulty trusting; feelings of self-blame and shame. This shows that rape has countless physical and psychological consequences and could take months or years to heal and asking questions that endorse rape and blaming the victim further traumatised the victims.

“To be a woman in this country is to constantly live in fear. Women can’t stay out too late or take moonlight meanders because their gender makes them prey. There are ravenous beasts out there who lurk in various spaces, threatening a woman’s very existence. In the club, in homes, on the streets, on campuses, in taxis, EVERYWHERE – women are not safe” – Blaque Life Quarterly (BLQ)

A team from the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) made their way to the Eastern Cape Liquor Board’s Provincial Liquor Industry Summit on 5 March 2017. The main aim of the Summit was to afford the opportunity to stakeholders to provide input into the amendment of the Eastern Cape Liquor Act (No. 10 of 2003)

Save the dates!

In my psychotherapeutic work with undergraduate medical students ethical issues and moral dilemmas frequently arise as topics for exploration.

A team from the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) made their way to the Eastern Cape Liquor Board’s Provincial Liquor Industry Summit on 5 March 2017.

Content note: rape and sexual violence, trauma In defence of his latest cartoon depicting South Africa’s current political climate – i.e. state capture and the cabinet reshuffle which involved the axing of Pravin Gordhan and the retention of ministers whose latest work has been problematic to say the least

Globally, alcohol is been identified as a risk factor contributing to ill-health, premature deaths amongst individuals aged between 25-59 years, which is the core of the working age population.

The abortion decision-making process is embedded within overlapping power relations. Using a post-colonial feminist framework, we analyse South African and Zimbabwean women’s narratives regarding their abortion decision.

“I am black and I am gay. I cannot separate the two into secondary or primary struggles” - Simon Nkoli

By offering a critique of discourses surrounding ‘coming out of the closet’ , my hope is that the following piece will serve to persuade queer persons that a renewed process of interrogation around our self-representations and politics of disclosure is both timely and necessary.

Worldwide, abortion is one of the commonest gynaecological procedures (Sedgh et al., 2012). The common occurrence of abortion around the globe, however, belies considerable diversity in the social, political, and ethical meanings of terminating a pregnancy, as well as the practices surrounding abortion.

The male gaze was first coined by Laura Mulvey (1999) contributing its development to the media. In this she notes that women are exhibited and constantly looked at. Women are displayed in order to demonstrate a visual and erotic impact as if all women want to be looked as a solely sexual being. In essence the male gaze is a slow up and down gape or even a focused stare at a sexualized body part, which objectifies women and positions men as the subject of the gaze.

One of our CSSR Research Associates has just released a new journal article. The abstract and link to the full article is below: Several qualitative researchers using discursive methodologies have noted how opposition to homosexuality has not necessarily diminished, despite the general expression of liberal tolerance in many settings. Instead, heterosexist rhetoric has shifted to accommodate political change.

Malvern Chiweshe recently attended an African regional conference on abortion in Ethiopia. Read more about his experience:

Malvern Chiweshe has recently travelled to all sorts of exciting places representing the CSSR. Here is his latest blog on his experiences.

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is a field beset with a number of controversies, ranging from whether and to what kind of sexuality education young people should be exposed to whether teenagers should be able to decide on abortion without parental consent.

Public health and rights-based approaches to abortion advocacy are well established. Feminists are, however, increasingly using a broader framework of ‘reproductive justice’, which considers the intersecting conditions that serve to enhance or hinder women’s reproductive freedoms, including their capacities to decide about the outcome of their pregnancies.

Sexuality education, as a component within the Life Orientation (LO) programme in South African schools, is intended to provide young people with knowledge and skills to make informed choices about their sexuality, their own health and that of others.

A new article from the authors, Fiona K. Bloomer, Kellie O’Dowd and Catriona Macleod is out.

Dr Tracey Feltham-King has won the international Contemporary Ethnography Across the Disciplines (CEAD 2016) doctoral student essay award. Her essay, entitled “Risk and responsibility: the management of the teenaged pregnant woman in the antenatal healthcare nexus”, was based on the PhD she completed last year through the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) research programme.

Members of the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction strongly condemn the police brutality witnessed on our campus yesterday, 28 September.

The Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme is offering a bursary of R100 000 to a student wishing to study full-time towards a PhD.

The Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme is offering two bursaries of R70 000 each to students wishing to study full-time towards a Master’s degree (by thesis only).

Belfast, Northern Ireland, a vibrant, creative and warm city with a troubled history, was the setting for the second conference on abortion, this time entitled “Abortion and Reproductive Justice Conference: The Unfinished Revolution II”.

The 6th International Conference on Community Psychology was held from 27 to 30 May 2016 at the Durban International Convention Centre in South-Africa. CSSR members presented six papers at the conference.

‘Hysterical’ is defined as a state of being overwrought, emotional, uncontrolled, uncontrollable, unrestrained, frantic, wild, and frenzied.

"Current social policies, however, seem to focus on family structure rather than family functioning – in other words, on what families look like rather than how they behave"

Recently on one of the muffin Mondays, my colleagues and I were speaking about the recent protest against rape on campus. It was interesting that people started to discuss the protest and rape in general.

Changes in laws and developments in reproductive technologies make it possible to become a parent as an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI) person in many countries, including South Africa.

Q Methodology is a mixed methods approach that incorporates interpretative and critical inquiry with systematic analysis.

‘The Siyahluma Project: Addressing the Challenges Associated with Menstruation in South Africa’

On Thursday 31 March, Prof Catriona Macleod was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Senior Research Medal. Here is the transcript describing her award.

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the multi-disciplinary team from the Siyahluma project (Dr. Sharli Paphitis, Dr. Lindsay Kelland, Prof. Catriona Macleod, Mr. Ryan Du Toit) has been awarded the 2015 Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Award for Community Engagement.

An example of research on constructions of abortion in South African newspapers 1978-2005.

The 7th African Population Conference (APC) ran for a period of five days from the 30th of November to the 4th of December (2015) and was held in Pretoria at the St Georges Hotel and Conference Venue.

An interview with Anastacia Tomson, by Vikar Singh

In their call to promote a collective model of slow scholarship, Mountz et al. (no date) describe a feminist ethics of care as work that “requires us - at different moments in our days - to stop, reflect, reject, resist, subvert, and collaborate to cultivate different, more reflexive academic cultures” (p. 13).

Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals for a one year research internship located in the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme of Rhodes University.

I recently took part in an abortion research e-conference hosted by the London School of Economics from the 8th to the 9th of June 2015. The e-conference focused on three broad themes: abortion care workforce policy, best practices in advertising the availability of abortion services, and a conceptual framework for understanding women’s trajectories to safe or unsafe abortion.

The International Society of Critical Health Psychology held its 9th Biennial conference at Rhodes University in 2015. A range of papers and symposia were presented by CSSR researchers including:

How does the decision to become a parent unfold for heterosexual men? Is becoming a father a 'decision' at all or a series of events?

There are many reasons why students find doing research difficult. Mostly it is because research is difficult.

The CSSR is delighted to congratulate Annie Fleischack and Jabulile Mavuso on graduating with their Master’s degrees this year.

Motherhood has increasingly become the focus of popular culture on social media, where the long-held beliefs about mothers and motherhood are hotly debated. Understanding motherhood, and taking a critical stance toward the various social expectations and psychological changes and challenges motherhood engenders, has become quite topical.

"But few will to listen to researchers who refute society’s accepted notion that teenage pregnancy is damaging to the child, mother and society."

Community site visits: We are pleased to announce that we have confirmed the following excursions to take place on the last day of the conference:

When challenged about the lack of campaigns that provide information on the legal status of ­abortion, Yogan Pillay of the department of health is quoted as saying: “What we don’t want to do is encourage unnecessary abortions. It’s a ­balance between making these services available, destigmatising them and creating awareness, and at the same time not encouraging people to use it as an alternative to contraception.”

Almost exactly three weeks ago, women attending a Cape Town reproductive clinic found themselves running an unexpected gauntlet. Instead of walking through the doors and waiting in line with their appointment cards, women requiring contraception, advice – and some seeking to terminate a pregnancy – had to make their way through a crowd of angry protesters holding placards and Bibles.

The ISCHP2015 Conference has confirmed 5 workshops to take place on Sunday 12 July 2015.

The CSSR crew made a bold appearance at this year’s annual Congress of the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), which took place between the 16th and 19th of September in Durban, and which celebrated 20 years of democracy as well as the formation of PsySSA.

“I am feeling overwhelmed with my analysis”, “Am l a researcher or an activist?”, “Why as a woman am I studying men?”, “The stories from my data collection are so overwhelming”.

'Health, Health Care and Social Justice' The ISCHP brings together health scholars who are interested in exploring ongoing and emerging issues in critical research, critical theory and critical practice in relation to health and health care.

The Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme is offering two bursaries of R70 000 each to students wishing to study full-time towards a Master’s degree (by thesis only).

As the organiser of this year’s Silent Protest at Rhodes University, I read Dave Rankin’s letter to the editor (“Pointless protest”, DD August 7) with interest and empathy.

When I watch the shopping channel on television I know on a rational level that it is going to take a lot more than razor-sharp knives or a magic mop to turn me into a domestic goddess. But I’d be lying if I did not admit that sometimes I desperately want to believe that I am one purchase away from a radical transformation. The false hope offered by retail therapy is seductive and often stronger than the feeling of buyer’s remorse which inevitably follows soon after the purchase.

On Sunday, the 15th of June, Father’s Day, my sister and I had breakfast at Spur on our way back to Grahamstown from Cape Town where we had spent the weekend. While eating, we heard the manager doing his rounds, making sure that people were enjoying their meal, and generally having a good time.

The pervasiveness of sexual violence and rape has been associated with what is termed ‘rape culture’. But what is ‘rape culture’, how are men and women affected differently by it and how is Rhodes University responding to it?

The Silent Protest committee and GenAct invite you to join them in discussion: Love and Violence; creating safer relationships in the University community.

As a researcher in the area of gender-based violence and as co-ordinator of the Rhodes University Silent Protest, I was recently asked to address a student protest calling for the rescue and return of the more than 200 girls and young women abducted in Nigeria by Boko Haram.

Everyday conversation happens around us all the time. This conversation has the potential to alert us to a range of social issues. But how do we go about analysing this conversation? What methods can help us illuminate key features of the interaction both at a micro-level and at the macro-level?

Hlonelwa Ngqangweni, a lecturer in the Psychology Department of the University of Fort Hare, received her PhD thesis at the recent Rhodes University graduation.

Alexandra Gibson, previously a Master’s student in the CSSR programme and currently a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, Australia, has, together with Catriona Macleod, published a chapter in an exciting up-coming book, Women Voicing Resistance: Discursive and Narrative Explorations, edited by Suzanne McKenzie-Mohr and Michelle LaFrance, and published by Routledge.

As African civil society organisations whose members live and work to improve the lives of all Africans, we condemn in the strongest terms, the disturbing increase in sexuality and gender-related rights violations and abuses, especially those aimed at women and gender non-conforming people, and people in same sex relations including lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identifying African people.

Any ethical system has at its heart what Peter Singer has called the 'golden rule' of the necessity of being able to see the world through the eyes of another -- to imagine other lives, other interests, other ways of being and seeing that are not our own.

The Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme denounces the signing of both the anti-homosexuality legislation recently passed in Nigeria and Uganda.

Anene Booysen would have been 18 years old today. Instead of celebrating her birthday, Booysen’s family and friends will hear what sentence the man ruled responsible for her gruesome rape and murder will receive.

Publishing workshop held by the CSSR

CSSR Student Wins ICP Award

New Rhodes SARChI Chair to explore SA’s significant sexuality and reproduction challenges

Saturday, September 28, was the Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion. South Africa has one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world - on paper.

CSSR Student Wins ICP Award

As African civil society organisations whose members live and work to improve the lives of all Africans, we condemn in the strongest terms, the disturbing increase in sexuality and gender-related rights violations and abuses, especially those aimed at women and gender non-conforming people, and people in same sex relations including lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identifying African people.

Any ethical system has at its heart what Peter Singer has called the 'golden rule' of the necessity of being able to see the world through the eyes of another -- to imagine other lives, other interests, other ways of being and seeing that are not our own.

Publishing workshop held by the CSSR

New Rhodes SARChI Chair to explore SA’s significant sexuality and reproduction challenges

Alexandra Gibson, previously a Master’s student in the CSSR programme and currently a PhD candidate at the University of Queensland, Australia, has, together with Catriona Macleod, published a chapter in an exciting up-coming book, Women Voicing Resistance: Discursive and Narrative Explorations, edited by Suzanne McKenzie-Mohr and Michelle LaFrance, and published by Routledge.

Hlonelwa Ngqangweni, a lecturer in the Psychology Department of the University of Fort Hare, received her PhD thesis at the recent Rhodes University graduation.

Anene Booysen would have been 18 years old today. Instead of celebrating her birthday, Booysen’s family and friends will hear what sentence the man ruled responsible for her gruesome rape and murder will receive.

The Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction research programme denounces the signing of both the anti-homosexuality legislation recently passed in Nigeria and Uganda.