Friday 07 February

Week Ahead

26 February 2018 – 2 March 2018

Since I don’t look like every other girl, it takes a while to be okay with that. To be different. But different is good. – Serena Williams

 

Monday, 26 February

Several SECTION27 staff members will be attending the regional COP18 consultation meeting in Johannesburg until Friday. This meeting allows civil society to mobilise, give input and shape the COP18 strategy. South Africa continues to face major HIV and TB epidemics. Over 7-million people have HIV, and TB remains our leading cause of death in the country. Even at current levels around three million people in South Africa who could benefit from HIV treatment do not have it. At the same time, the South African public healthcare system is in crisis – a crisis characterised by widespread shortages of health workers, stockouts of medicines, poor TB infection control, and long waiting times. The People’s COP 2018 was released last week by SECTION27, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Positive Women’s Network and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). This report outlines the key gaps in the national HIV and TB response and the community’s priorities for the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that have been identified after consultation. PEPFAR funding constitutes roughly a quarter of all financing for HIV in South Africa and increased investment is planned for 2018. It is critical for people living with HIV and communities affected by HIV that this funding is used optimally and with the most possible impact. As such, PEPFAR must critically re-think and re-prioritise where this funding is spent in order to ensure the greatest impact. Read the People’s COP 2018 here https://section27.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/People27s-COP-2018.pdf

SECTION27 will be hosting a site visit for the International Education Funders Group (IEFG). Together with the Equal Education Law Centre, Faranaaz Veriava and Thabang Pooe will speak about the context of education in South Africa, and advocacy collaboration in the education sector. They will also discuss some of the challenges and opportunities in organising national coalitions.

 

Wednesday, 28 February

SECTION27 and Corruption Watch will be conducting workshops for district facilitators of BEFA on Wednesday and Thursday. Day one of the workshop will focus on sexual violence in schools as well as an introductory session on sexual and reproductive rights. Day two will focus on the upcoming school governing body elections that will take place across the country. The session will train facilitators on the election process and roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders. 

Researcher, Thuthukile Mbatha will be attending the first anniversary of the SheDecides movement. This gathering will allow various civil society organisations and regional partners an opportunity to share their experiences in fighting for the fundamental rights of girls and young women.

 

Friday, 2 March

Advocacy Officer Vuyokazi Gonyela will attend a TAC National Office Bearer’s meeting in her capacity as Deputy General Secretary in TAC. This meeting is in preparation for the National Council meeting on 3 and 4 March. The TAC’s National Council meeting will be reflecting on work done in provinces, the political climate and how it affects the TAC’s work. The meeting will also give TAC national and provinces a mandate for the next three months.

Team Education’s Sheniece Linderboom and Thabang Pooe will be training youth activists from Katlehong on sexual violence in schools as well as an introductory session on sexual and reproductive rights. This group will replicate this training to learners in the Katlehong area.

 

The week that was:

Advocate Nikki Stein has published a paper on socio-economic rights litigation and section 195 of the Constitution. The final version has now been published and is available here: http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/K6Jbv6KA37MsN3mtfT3C/full

SECTION27 joined a number of civil society organisations to call for a reversal of the decision to increase VAT. See the statement there: Civil society calls on Parliament to support progressive taxation

Categories: Week Ahead

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