feminist blogs

What I’m about to say will fall into the “typical feminist buzzkill” stereotype– but, hey, it wouldn’t be the first time:

While most of you are undoubtedly watching the World Cup US v. Ghana game, think about the following: During one typical 90 minute game, 317 women in South Africa will be raped. It isn’t fun to think about, but one South African doctor is taking action against this sobering statistic. Sonette Ehlers has invented Rape-axe, a female condom-like device that painfully attaches itself to the perpetrator’s penis.

Rape-ax can be worn inconspicuously, but upon penetration, a man will experience teeth-like hooks that do not break the skin, but are very painful. Rape-axe can only be removed by a doctor, which Ehlers hopes will increase the sexual assault arrests in her country. Currently, only 7% of reported rapes result in a conviction in South Africa.

It’s an interesting idea, but there are two things that concern me:

1. This is being marketed as an “anti-rape” condom, but the fact is, once the rapist becomes attached to the device, rape has already occurred. It may shorten the assault, but it certainly doesn’t prevent it.
2. It’s generally considered fact that rape is about power and aggression, not sexual pleasure. If an already-aggressive rapist comes into contact with Rape-Axe, I don’t think it’s a stretch to assume he could become more violent. Amidst intense pain and a foiled assault, he could likely take his rage out on the victim. In this case, the attack has the potential to become more traumatizing, more deadly.

Perhaps if it were widely distributed, the condom could have a deterring effect. But I’d be cautious about predicting the positive effects of Rape-Axe thus far. Solving Africa’s sexual assault and HIV/AIDS crises isn’t going to be accomplished through a toothed condom, because it’s much too linked with social attitudes, corrupt legal systems, hypermasculinity and war. Still, in a country where women are resorting to inserting razor blades wrapped in sponges, maybe this device can empower some women to protect themselves in a safer way.

“They’re starting something that can be incredibly powerful. And not just in South Africa. …The idea is to spread globally, and that’s a powerful message to send to other girls around the world. That you, too, can have a voice.” - Julie Foudy, former U.S. women’s soccer captain, on the importance of Global [...]

I don’t think it’s a coincident that a leader with dismal ratings on the feminism scale would also have dismal ratings on the prevention of HIV, an increasingly “feminized” epidemic. The health and status of a country’s women is integrally tied to the health of the country overall.  Jacob Zuma, while not great on HIV prevention [...]

Thanks to Clint Eastwood’s most recent film, Invictus, millions of people around the world – many of whom, both in and outside of South Africa, were previously unaware of and/or indifferent to the 1995 Rugby World Cup – now know the story of how Nelson Mandela harnessed the universal language of sport to preach transformation [...]

The Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Situation Report is a monthly column highlighting SRHR issues internationally.  In honor of World AIDS Day, December 1st, this month’s column will focus on Women and HIV/AIDS worldwide. Halting the spread of HIV/AIDS is part of Millennium Development Goal 6, linked with “malaria and other diseases.”  The major international [...]

Health Care Debate Takes Shape Via Social Networking – The Hill
What is a TRAP Bill? – National Abortion Federation
Abortion Should Not Imperil Health Care Reform – Charleston Gazette
AIDS in South Africa: Women, The Church, and Global Indifference – Religious Dispatches
South Dakota Rules Anti-Abortion Donors Will Remain Anonymous – First Amendment Center
Abortion: A Healthy Choice – HuffPo
Why Private Insurance Should Cover Abortion – Wall Street Journal

Since the Track and Field World Championships ended in August, the world has been anxiously awaiting the IAAF’s (International Association of Athletics) decision on whether or not to strip Caster Semenya of her gold medal. For those who don’t remember Semenya, she is the 18-year old South African 800m runner who is under scrutiny for [...]

Global Feminism in the News is a monthly column discussing recurring themes in international news stories concerning women. This month we will focus on women’s progress and victories. This week’s post is inspired by Phyllis Schlafly. Yep, you read correctly. Many of you probably read/heard/talked about this study that “determined” that women are less happy now [...]

This August I avoided the rush of back to school shopping, sweltering heat, and the start of classes and replaced it instead with…a journey to South Africa?  After my incredibly riveting (ish) research on microbicide clinical trial ethics was selected by SACRA for presentation at their third annual conference, the University of the Pacific agreed to send myself and recent film alum Graham Howes to meet with local researchers, present at the conference, and create a documentary about our experience.  So, how do two twenty-somethings plan for their life-changing trip overseas?  With a backpack, a lot of flexibility, and a motto of “we’ll figure it out.”

First stop was Soweto, known internationally as the largest black township in South Africa, the epicenter of protest against apartheid, and one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world.  While Soweto (the South Western Township), a large urban area located just outside of Johannesburg, is known for its soaring HIV rates and ever increasing rates of poverty, what most people don’t encounter is the sense of community that emanates from  merely being in the presense of its people.  What is not discussed about Soweto is the friendliness of its residents (who greet everyone they encounter as they walk down the street), the local music (check out my man Choppa’s new music video Graham and I will be releasing soon), or the fact that it is the only city in the world with the former homes of two Nobel Peace Prize winners on the same street (Vilakazi).

Take for example, Lebo’s Soweto Backpacker’s, the hostel we stayed at during our journey.  Lebo grew up in Soweto, and became one of the first black hostel owners in the country when he converted his grandparents home into a small backpacker so that tourists could see what life was really like for township residents.  Lebo and his team transformed the dump across the street into a local park for children, where they hold reading lessons and sponsor local recreational soccer teams for youth. However, they are most well known for their eco-friendly bicycle tours, which often guests and opportunity to see the township and meet locals for anywhere from 2 hours to a full day.

Or, take a look at the work of Mama Prisca, who lost her young son to cerebral palsy at the age of 11.  When people in industrialized nations consider the trials and tribulations of women suffering in developing nations, how often do we ask ourselves what the struggle must be like for an impoverished mother of four, when one child is autistic or in a wheelchair?  Mama Prisca has created a haven for many young children from the region of Orlando West, providing them with physical therapy, classes, and proper play equipment aimed for autistic children.  Despite the hard work and the forty hour plus work weeks her teachers put in on a regular basis, the average monthly salary for a teacher at the school is R500 or $62 USD.  Next time we buy a pair of jeans, perhaps we will consider that what we are handing over for that cloth is the equivalent to a family’s entire livelihood.

When individuals from industrialized nations often think about the situations of those in the Global South numerous emotions arise, most often, that of pity.  If we are to move forward and make progress on any movement from ending poverty to gaining gender equity, we must realize the beauty, power, and the true development that has existed in other cultures.  The men and women of Soweto don’t want pity, they want a society finally willing to listen to their problems and their solutions.  Please stay tuned for updates over the next few weeks on journey’s in Durban, Boksburg, and Umlazi, as well as clips from our upcoming documentary.

NOTE: The following clip is a bonus feature for our documentary. Skip the first minute and watch the end with the adorable Soweto kids, talking about their favorite American- MICHAEL JACKSON!

South Africa Documentary (Bonus Video 1)