This week in civil society — World Aids Day, 30 Years of Democracy conference and Human Rights Defenders Summit

World Aids Day falls on 1 December 2024, when people from around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from Aids-related illnesses. Each World Aids Day has a theme, which this year is “Let Communities Lead”.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women begins the UNiTE campaign (25 November to 10 December), a 16-day global activism initiative that culminates on International Human Rights Day (10 December). The 2024 campaign is Every 10 Minutes a Woman is Killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence Against Women highlights the urgent rise in violence against women. It aims to renew commitments, demand accountability, and push decision-makers to take decisive action.

“Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life,” according to the UN.

Wednesday, 29 November is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 

In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution 32/40 B). On that day in 1947, the assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II))

In resolution 60/37 of 1 December 2005, the assembly requested the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights, as part of the observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on 29 November, to continue to organise an annual exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN.

On Monday, 25 November and Tuesday, 26 November, the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SouthernDefenders) will host the 7th Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Summit.

During the two-day event, human rights defenders, civil society organisations, grassroots movements, representatives of National Human Rights Institutions, and government officials from the southern African region will come together to reflect on strategies and pathways to bolster the role of human rights defenders in promoting citizen-responsive, accountable governance in the region.

Speakers include Professor Adriano Nuvunga, SouthernDefenders Chairperson, and Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.

Venue: The Galleria

10 Eastern Service Rd, Eastgate, Sandton, 2090



On Tuesday, 26 November, at 11.30 AM the Dullah Omar Institute will host a webinar on sub-national governance and the plight of women working in public spaces.

This comes after the organisation hosted a series of workshops in South Africa, Ghana and Kenya as part of a project on “Sub-national governance and the plight of women working in public spaces — challenges and principles to improve policy and law-making”. The findings of the research project will be launched during the webinar. 

“It is a general observation that local governments do not always thoroughly consider the variety of challenges faced by women working in public spaces. On the one hand, they often find themselves striking a balance between survival and family responsibilities, and on the other hand, they are confronted with challenges due to the failure of local governments to provide basic services, such as ablution and storage facilities, and the maintenance of infrastructure,” the organisation said.

Click here to register.

Also on Tuesday, 26 November, at 6 pm Friedrich Naumann Foundation Africa in partnership with the Helen Suzman Foundation will host a panel discussion about constitutionalism under the Government of National Unity (GNU).

“Former chief justice Pius Langa wrote that transformative constitutionalism requires a bold judiciary, coupled with legislative reform and appropriate executive action” to undo the vast economic and social disparities that beset South Africa. However, these disparities remain the most pressing challenge for South Africa’s constitutional democracy, thirty years after we became a constitutional state,” the organisations said.

In a discussion moderated by Khaya Sithole, Tessa Dooms, Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh and Dan Mafora will unpack the state of constitutionalism in South Africa in an era of GNU national politics.

Venue: Webber House

50 Ennis Rd, Parkview.

Reserve your seat for the discussion here.



On Wednesday, 27 November, at 3pm, Wits RHI will host a webinar reflecting on four decades of resilience, progress, and ongoing challenges in the fight against HIV.

“42 Years Since South Africa’s First HIV Diagnosis: Perspectives from Those Infected and Affected by HIV”  will provide a platform for individuals living with HIV and healthcare advocates to share their experiences and perspectives.

Together, the individuals with lived experiences and those at the forefront of HIV care and prevention will discuss the milestones achieved, persistent barriers, and actionable strategies for advancing equitable care and support for all.

Join this meaningful dialogue by registering here.



Also on Thursday, 28 November and Friday, 29 November, the Law Faculty at Stellenbosch University will host a conference to mark 30 years of democracy in South Africa.

“Many South Africans experience systemic human rights violations for which effective accountability appears increasingly elusive. As we mark the 30th anniversary of constitutional democracy in South Africa, the time is ripe to take stock of the constitutional institutions and processes for achieving constitutional accountability for human rights,” the university said. 

The two-day Human Rights and Constitutional Accountability conference will feature papers and discussions on a variety of topics, including the judiciary, governance reforms, Chapter 9 institutions, commissions of inquiry, the role of customary law, and social accountability campaigns.

Keynote addresses will be delivered by Advocate Adila Hassim, senior counsel at the Johannesburg Bar, and Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

Venue: Protea Hotel, 

TechnoPark Stellenbosch