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Unpacking obstetric violence in Africa, World Hunger Day discussion and examining NDPP appointment processes

Unpacking obstetric violence in Africa, World Hunger Day discussion and examining NDPP appointment processes
Lerato Mutsila
By Lerato Mutsila
26 May 2025
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World Hunger Day is on 28 May, and to commemorate it the Union Against Hunger will host a community dialogue centred around food justice. There will also be discussions on maternal rights and NDPP appointment processes this week in civil society.

On Tuesday, 27 May 2025 at 1pm the Dullah Omar Institute will host a webinar on Obstetric Violence in Africa.

According to the organisation, obstetric violence is a pervasive yet often overlooked form of gender-based violence that undermines maternal health and women’s rights across the African continent.

“Obstetric violence refers to mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or coercion experienced by women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. It manifests in many forms, including verbal or physical abuse, non-consensual procedures, denial of care, and systemic neglect. Women most at risk include those in rural areas, adolescents, migrants, the poor, and women living with HIV,” the institute said.

The panel discussion will draw on research from Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Nigeria and explore the scale of the problem, legal and policy gaps, relevant human rights standards, strategic litigation, and practical steps towards reform and respectful maternity care.

Panellists:



  • Aisosa Jennifer Omoruyi, Research Fellow, Dullah Omar Institute, UWC.

  • Nyokabi Njogu, Feminist Lawyer, Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and Aids (Kelin).

  • Achieng Orero, Violence Against Women Lawyer, Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (Isla).


Moderator:



  • Favour Akanbi, Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape.


Click here to register.

On Wednesday, 28 May at 1pm the Union Against Hunger (UAH) will host a community hunger dialogue in which it will engage with 300 community members about hunger and discuss the organisation’s demands for affordable quality food, laws to prohibit food waste and an emergency food plan.

“We will be joined by the Department of Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa as our keynote speaker and esteemed panellists like Mr Zwelinzima Vavi, the general secretary of Saftu, Mr Irfaan Mangera, a national youth leader from Lenasia, and Mr Tim Abaa, a community agriculture activist from Orange Farm…  just to name a few,” UAH said.

Venue: Lenasia South Civic Centre

Time: 1pm to 4pm



On Thursday, 29 May at 11am Defend Our Democracy will host a civil society discussion on the process that should be undertaken in the appointment of the next  National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

With National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi set to retire in early 2026, Lawson Naidoo from Casac, Gareth Newham from the Institute for Security Studies and Kavisha Pillay from Code will discuss the appointment process of her successor.

Register to join the important discussion here. DM

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