Gender Equality
now browsing by tag
South Africa Ruling: Husbands Can Legally Take Wives’ Surnames After Marriage
Johannesburg, South Africa On 11 September 2025, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled that husbands may legally adopt their wives’ surnames, ending a long-standing gender-based restriction under South African law. BusinessTech+3AP News+3News24+3
Key Findings of the Ruling
-
The Court declared Section 26(1)(a)-(c) of the Births and Deaths Registration Act (51 of 1992), as well as Regulation 18(2)(a) of the Regulations on the Registration of Births and Deaths, unconstitutional because they discriminated on the basis of gender. BusinessTech+3Saflii+3SABC News+3
-
Under the old law, only women could change their surname by taking their husband’s name. Men were barred from taking their wife’s surname or creating a double-barrelled surname that includes the wife’s name. Saflii+2News24+2
-
The Court found this unequal treatment violated Section 9(1) and 9(3) of the South African Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of gender. Saflii+1
What Happens Now
-
The ruling does not immediately change all existing legal frameworks. The Court has given Parliament 24 months to amend the law to align with constitutional requirements. During this period, interim remedies apply. BusinessTech+2The Citizen+2
-
Pending legislative reform, the Court ordered a “reading-in” remedy. This means that in practice, men can assume their wives’ surnames or combine surnames (e.g., double-barrelled) under the now-invalidated sections while the law is being fixed. News24+2The Citizen+2
-
The Home Affairs Department was among the respondents, and the Minister of Home Affairs will be responsible for implementing changes. Saflii+2News24+2
Reactions & Significance
-
The decision is widely described as a landmark step for gender equality in South Africa, removing a law rooted in colonial and patriarchal tradition. The Citizen+2IOL+2
-
Some have celebrated the ruling as a move toward personal freedom and equality in marriage. Others have expressed concern about cultural tradition, identity, and administrative challenges in changing surnames. AP News+1
-
The cost of the legal challenge was ordered to be paid by the Home Affairs Department. The Citizen+1
What to Watch For
-
How Parliament will draft amendments to the Births and Deaths Registration Act and what specific changes will be made.
-
How the registration systems and administrative processes will adapt (how easy it becomes for people to change surnames, update official documents, etc.).
-
Social and cultural response: whether there will be acceptance or resistance, and how communities interpret the impact on family identity and tradition.
Source Credit:
AP News; News24; BusinessTech; SABC News; IOL; Constitutional Court judgment (South Africa) all published September 2025. SABC News+3AP News+3News24+3
OAFLAD Unveils Call to Action for Women and Girls at Africa Climate Summit
At the 2nd Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) launched a new Call to Action: “Building Resilience for Women and Girls in the Face of Climate Change and Conflict.”
Opened by Kenya’s First Lady, H.E. Rachel Ruto, the event gathered over 150 participants, partners, and member states. Keynote speakers—including Amb. Amma Twum-Amoah (African Union Commission) and Prof. Senait Fisseha (Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation)—highlighted the urgent need for women-centered climate solutions.
The campaign, unveiled by OAFLAD President H.E. Fatima Maada Bio, calls on governments and partners to:
Integrate gender-responsive adaptation and peacebuilding.
Ensure equitable access to climate finance for women and displaced populations.
Empower women and girls as leaders of resilience.
Partners like UN Women, WHO, IOM, and EGPAF stressed the vulnerabilities of displaced women and girls amid climate and conflict pressures.
🔗 Watch the campaign video: [YouTube Link]
📌 Source: OAFLAD / Africa Climate Summit
The Africa Report Spotlights Fatima Maada Bio as Trailblazer in Leadership and Gender Equity
The July 2025 edition of The Africa Report shines a spotlight on Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, recognizing her as a trailblazer redefining African leadership through her relentless drive for gender equity and grassroots transformation.
From her acclaimed campaign Hands Off Our Girls to legislative impact, Dr. Bio has driven forward meaningful change in Sierra Leone and beyond. Her advocacy has contributed to the enactment of the landmark Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022, which mandates at least 30% representation for women across government and institutional roles. Simultaneously, she championed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, setting a firm legal foundation to protect girls’ rights. slmissionun.gov.sl
The report also highlights Dr. Bio’s dynamic leadership across African platforms, particularly her presidency of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Serving since early 2025, she has used this platform to advocate for climate action, peacebuilding, and human security—key priorities in the continental Sustainable Development Goals drive. sierraleonemonitor.comSierraloaded
Her broader impact extends to healthcare and social development, too. As featured in her UN and humanitarian work, she led renovations at Sierra Leone’s Military Hospital into a Centre of Excellence for SGBV survivors and championed women’s healthcare initiatives including vaccination drives and support for underserved communities. UN-Habitatsierraleonemonitor.com
Fatima Maada Bio Champions Women and Girls as Catalysts for Sustainable Development
Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, the First Lady of Sierra Leone and newly elected President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), continues to be a formidable advocate for women’s and girls’ rights across Africa. Her leadership underscores a commitment to transforming challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.gavi.org+6Sierra Leone State House Sierra Leone+6nawmagazine.com+6
At the 29th General Assembly of the African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr. Bio was elected President of OAFLAD, defeating Her Excellency Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria. Her Excellency Dr. Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of Angola, was elected Vice President. President Julius Maada Bio lauded his wife’s election as a testament to her unwavering dedication to championing the rights and empowerment of women and girls. Wikipedia+3Sierra Leone State House Sierra Leone+3Sierra Leone State House Sierra Leone+3
Dr. Bio’s flagship initiative, the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign, launched in 2018, has been instrumental in addressing issues such as sexual violence and child marriage in Sierra Leone. The campaign’s impact was highlighted in a Q&A with Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where Dr. Bio emphasized the importance of empowering girls and women to shape Africa’s future. X (formerly Twitter)+6Harvard Chan School of Public Health+6Harvard Public Health Magazine+6
In addition to her advocacy work, Dr. Bio has been a vocal proponent for gender equality legislation in Sierra Leone. In January 2023, President Julius Maada Bio signed a landmark bill into law mandating that women constitute 30% of the workforce and government positions. The legislation also includes provisions for 14 weeks of paid maternity leave and ensures equal access to credit and financial services for women. Women found guilty of gender discrimination could face up to five years in prison and fines. Sierra Leone State House Sierra Leone+3AP News+3Wikipedia+3
Dr. Bio’s election as OAFLAD President marks a significant milestone in her ongoing efforts to empower women and girls across Africa. Her leadership is poised to further amplify the voices of women and girls, turning challenges into opportunities for a sustainable future.nawmagazine.com+4Sierra Leone State House Sierra Leone+4firstlady.gov.sl+4
First Lady of Sierra Leone Meets UN Women Team
Yesterday, First Lady Fatima Maada Bio of Sierra Leone welcomed Madam Setcheme Jeronine Mongbo, Head of the UN Women Sierra Leone Office, and her team to her official workplace. The meeting focused on fortifying collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and UN Women to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality initiatives. X (formerly Twitter)
Madam Bio Acknowledges Her OAFLAD Election
During the visit, the First Lady expressed heartfelt appreciation for Madam Mongbo’s warm congratulations on her recent election as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). This leadership position places Madam Bio at the forefront of continent-wide advocacy on issues like maternal health, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment. Sierra Leone State House Sierra LeoneAfrican Union
Shared Vision: Gender Equality and Development
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to expanding impactful initiatives and fostering systemic change. Their cooperation is expected to amplify OAFLAD’s 2025–2030 Strategic Framework, which emphasizes health, education, GBV prevention, and women’s economic empowerment across Africa. Sierra Leone’s collaboration with UN Women under Madam Bio’s stewardship is poised to bring transformative outcomes at both national and regional levels.
Shocking Move: Sierra Leone to Double Maternity Leave—What It Means for New Mothers!
Hon. Cathrine Zainab Tarawally, Chairperson of the Committee on Gender and Children’s Affairs in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, has announced a plan to extend maternal leave from three to six months. This announcement comes as the country prepares to observe World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to August 7.
In her statement, Hon. Tarawally highlighted Parliament’s dedication to bolstering support for new mothers. She explained that Sierra Leone is taking steps to align with global practices by enacting the Breast Milk Substitute Act and aiming to extend maternal leave to six months. She also called for stricter regulations to close shops selling harmful baby foods.
Hon. Tarawally encouraged public support for exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, stressing its importance for infant health.
Similarly, Deputy Minister of Trade, Fatmata Kargbo, expressed support for this initiative, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts with Parliament to advocate for breastfeeding. She advised market women to ensure their infants are breastfed for 20 minutes every two hours for optimal growth and development.
Minister of State at the Vice President’s Office, Manty Tarawallie, addressed the issue of malnutrition, identifying it as a major factor in infant mortality. She emphasized that breastfeeding is vital for boosting immunity, brain development, and emotional bonding.
Liv Elin Indreiten, Deputy Director of UNICEF, praised breastfeeding as a free and effective way to reduce child mortality by 16%. She called for stronger government support for breastfeeding through legislation and improved healthcare services and advocated for workplaces to support extended maternity leave. Indreiten also underscored the importance of community involvement, recognizing that raising a child is a collective effort.
First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, Leads Official Launch of #WeAreEqual Campaign to Abolish Child Marriage and Promote Education at Bintumani Conference Center
for the Official Launch of #WeAreEqual Campaign in Sierra Leone on the theme: Abolish Child Marriage and keep them in Learning.
D5 Creation