Post 1994 - a new and democratic South Africa

After the liberation in South Africa in 1994, SAIH was able to openly support partner organisations. For some time SAIH situated its own representatives in South Africa to work on different projects, but as of the early 2000s SAIH has supported partners directly from Norway. SAIH was among the first organisations in focusing on HIV/AIDS -related issues in South Africa.

SAIH’s current presence in South Africa

Today, SAIH is mainly concerned with three areas of interest in South Africa:

• Young women’s involvement in political and social change
• Education for liberation for LGBT-youth in southern Africa
• Sexual and reproductiove health in higher education in southern Africa

SAIH cooperates with five partners in South Africa . Here is one example:

Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training

ADAPT is situated in Alexandria township in Johannesburg. Its focus is on preventing violence, and it does this through creating awareness amongst youth and teachers, and by empowering them with good tools of communication.

Many youth are exposed to violence in their homes, or are experiencing it directly themselves, while teachers are often challenged by it at school. ADAPT is trying to prevent violence and to strengthen womens rights through different means aimed at both youth and adults. They are one of the few organisations that does work in Alexandria, an area that is affected by economic and social marginalisation, while experiencing great migration from rural areas and other African countries.

SAIH and ADAPT has worked together since 2006, aiming especially at reaching out to youth in various ways. In 2009 ADAPT began creating a women’s movement for young women, both in and outside of school grounds. The idea is that the young women shall become aware of their rights and decision making powers, and that they will use these for example by becoming representatives in local decision making institutions, such as for example local area councils.

ADAPT is also working in High Schools, teaching a course called “life orientation” where the students learn about rights, sexual behaviour, HIV/aids, how to manage conflicts and to discuss problems that occur in their every day life. Through the attachment to the High Schools, ADAPT has established theatre groups that perform plays that deal with the issues they discuss in group discussions. By learning methods of participation, the youth that are part of the ADAPT programs gain valuable lessons on awareness, and become more able to make informed decisions in their every day life.