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17 Feb. 2009
South Africa. South Africa was the first state worldwide that placed sexual orientation under the protection of constitutional law. The constitution grants gender equality, gender equity and democratic rights such as the immunity of every individual. However, there’s a wide gulf between theory and practice. When attempting to demand equal treatment, women in particular are faced with an alarming inclination towards violence. It seems, that historical and cultural circumstances and normative pressure from society support a certain legitimisation of violence.
Ines Gontek from Cologne, Germany wrote two years ago a very interesting Masters Thesis in African Studies on Sexual Violence Against Lesbian Women in South Africa. Africaserver Magazine is pleased to publish a summary of her thesis, which was also recently covered by ILGA, the International Gay and Lesbian Association.
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