4 th Gender and Media Summit - October 2010 Community Media Trust and Gender Lucilla Blankenberg

Community Media Trust Formed in 1998 by a group of activists when the HIV/AIDS epidemic reached a crucial stage as rates of illness and death were increasing alarmingly. The greater visibility of the epidemic gave rise to the idea of Treatment Literacy – making simple scientific information available to those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. CMT has grown to incorporate a broadcast TV show, an audio-visual AIDS archive and Outreach programmes in South and Southern Africa. CMT is now committed to promoting service delivery and basic Constitutional rights in health, education and gender justice at the grass roots level of society.

GBV as a vector of HIV CMT’s work on gender is fully integrated into its core function of promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. Violence against women is a major vector of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Women with violent partners are over 50% more likely to be HIV positive (Dunkle & Jewkes, Lancet, 363:2004). A 2009 Medical Research Council study found the HIV prevalence amongst men who raped was 19.6%. Women who are reliant on their husbands are less able to negotiate condom use. Condoms are unlikely to be used in cases of GBV.

GBV in SA – some statistics: The 2009 Study highlights the extent of GBV in South Africa: Verbal, physical and sexual abuse are widespread. Over 40% of men admitted to being physically violent to an intimate partner and 1 in 4 admitted to rape. Each year 55,000 rapes are reported to the police. However, the actual number is estimated to be 9 times higher. Only 7% of reported rapes are said to lead to a conviction.

GBV in SA – the challenge: Social norms about masculinity need to be challenged and changed over the longer term. However, perpetrators of GBV commit these actions because they correctly perceive that they can get away with it due to: (a)the culture of silence and collusion, and (b) the inefficiency of the police and judicial systems. There has to be greater support for the cascade of the judicial system and greater education for South Africans about their rights and correct legal procedures that should be followed.

CMT & Gender - Objectives CMT aims to: Train young females to help level out gender inequalities in journalism and production. Give a voice to GBV survivors, activists and experts. Give a voice to poor and marginalised women seldom heard in the mainstream media. Empower communities to know their rights and demand action. CMT targets all marginalised groups, activists, and civil society organisations, officials and professional experts.

Siyayinqoba Beat It! Nokubonga Yawa – the face of Siyayinqoba Beat It! HIV / AIDS Educational Series Documentary inserts tell the stories of people who’s lives have been affected by the disease Each season CMT hires a team of Community Journalists (CJs) who undergo a one year “internship” The CJs research, produce and present stories of people from their communities who are affected by HIV / AIDS The project is a stepping stone for young people wanting a career in journalism

Siyayinqoba Beat It! & GBV Elizabeth Sambo – “They told me they were tired of me crying.” Gender violence has been identified as one of the major vectors of HIV / AIDS Several shows have focused on GBV and in 2009 it was one of the series’s themes The 2009 episode ‘Women and the Law’ told the story of Elizabeth Sambo – who was ignored by the police despite suffering domestic abuse. Gender plays an important role in other episodes such as: ‘Teen Pregnancy’, ‘Transactional and Intergenerational Sex’ and ‘HIV and Relationships’

A Country For My Daughter

Nonkosi Khumalo Produced and filmed by an all female crew Highlights the gap between the law and its application Explores cases which have transformed the law on gender violence in South Africa Calls for the strengthening of the health, police and judicial processes Accompanied by the GBV workbook

Carmichele vs Min. of Safety and Security Nonkosi reads about the Carmichele case at the Constitutional Court of SA Alix Carmichele assaulted by an intruder – Francois Coetzee Coetzee already charged with a separate assault and rape Carmichele had asked for him to be put in jail pending his trial Carmichele took the Minister of Safety and Security to court The Constitutional Court ruled that the failure to oppose bail increased the chances of assaults against other women in the area The law was brought in line with the Constitution – policemen have a duty to protect women in South Africa

Challenges and the way forward Continue to improve relations with the broadcasters – more broadcast slots need to be made available for educational and human rights based programming. Securing funding is a challenge to ensure CMT’s future production and training work. Training Materials: CMT has developed a training series based on the National Sexual Assault policy intended for training police, court officials, NGOs and other organisations about correct procedures to follow.

thank you