On 22 March 2025, a landmark panel discussion titled “Gender, Power, and Justice: Confronting Systemic Failures in Protecting Women’s Rights” will address one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges at the Human Rights Festival in Constitution Hill, Johannesburg. Â
The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) is convening this critical dialogue to confront the escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) and advocate for urgent systemic change.
The discussion will spotlight two crucial issues: sexual corruption, often referred to as “sextortion”, which affects thousands of women annually, and the complex legal challenges faced by women who kill their abusers in self-defence. The panel will also examine the barriers surrounding sexual and reproductive health rights in educational institutions, which continue to impact the lives of countless women and girls across the nation.
Distinguished attorneys Sipesihle Mguga, Sheniece Linderboom, and Shaatirah Baboo Hassim will bring their extensive experience to the forefront. “This panel represents a crucial step towards addressing the systemic failures that perpetuate gender-based violence in our society,” says Mguga, who has spent over a decade advocating for women’s rights. Â
The session, moderated by the respected Zanele Christine Fengu, promises to deliver actionable insights into legal interventions and policy reforms needed to dismantle the structures that deny women their dignity and rights.
“This is not just a discussion, it’s a crucial opportunity to confront the systemic issues at play and galvanise support for better protections of women’s rights,” said Puleng Mosia, Communication Officer at the LRC. “We invite everyone to join this vital conversation and contribute to the urgent call for action.”
Building on the LRC’s successful track record of advocating for human rights, this event aims to create practical solutions and forge partnerships between legal professionals, advocacy groups, and community leaders. The session, scheduled from 10am to 11.30am, will include an interactive dialogue session where attendees can engage with the panellists and contribute to the conversation about protecting women’s rights in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Lawyers for Human Rights is also at the Human Rights Festival and launched its new campaign, #HerDocumentHerDignity, spotlighting the specific impact of statelessness on women and girls, on Human Rights Day, Friday 21 March 2021.
#Conviction
