Prosecuting Violence against Women in South African Courts: A Reflection of the Legal Culture from an Afrocentric Perspective

Introduction: The first author participated in a course related to critical feminist schools of thought while pursuing her doctoral program. Engaging with a scholarly community of feminist researchers, she gained multi-layered understandings and deeper insights on ways of knowing through the perspectives of the critical feminist schools of thought in the feminist movement. Unlike other feminist schools of thought, Afrocentric feminism is about the pluralism that captures the dynamism and fluidity of different cultural imperatives, historical forces and localized realities in the lives of African women. This feminist methodology assisted the author’s ability to link the ‘word to the world’ and ‘text to the context’ as it related to the oppression of women through the eyes of continentally based African women. Aim: Adopting an Afrocentric feminist conceptual framework, the authors sought to explore and describe the legal culture surrounding the prosecution of violence against women in South African courts. Research Methods: The study design was an Afrocentric feminist sensory ethnography. Court-scapes (recorded video tours of the physical setting of the courtrooms and court objects), participant observation, conversations with relevant court personnel, and review of relevant site documents were used to collect data. Insights: The culture of prosecution of violence against women was analysed using an Afrocentric feminist lens from a continentally based African women’s standpoint. The study indicated how kyriarchy as a socio-political system of perpetual hierarchical social relations, characterizes all women as inferior through the intersectional distinctions of race, ethnicity, class, ability, and locality. During the prosecution processes of violence against women, kyriarchy was evidenced and demonstrated through a collage of hierarchical criteria based on ethnicity, race, age, ability, and the location in which court case matter was heard. Conclusions: From feminist scholarship, evidence-based prosecution, which is in line with the South African Constitution Act No 108 of 1996 is recommended. The insights indicate that cases of VAW were prosecuted in open courts while there are intermediary facilities. This was a counter-practice on what is recommended by feminist scholarship on evidence as well as the Constitution, regardless of the prosecutors being on the side of the survivors

The constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the second generation female condom : the narratives from the healthcare providers

BACKGROUND : Despite the redesigning of the Reality condom (FC) to a new version of the second generation female condom commonly known as (FC2), the users are persistently constrained and concerned about the size and shape of this new version. Condom use is aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 3, 5 and 6, which address gender equality, improving maternal health and preventing HIV and AIDS. AIM : To explore and describe the constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the FC2. SETTING : The study was conducted at Tshwane health district in Gauteng province. METHODS : A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. Individual in-depth interviews that yielded narratives in a designated health district in South Africa were conducted. RESULTS : From the analysis of narratives three specific themes emerged. Firstly, the specific theme was that the size and shape of FC2 is undesirable for the health care providers, which may lead women to contract HIV and AIDS. The second theme was that the size and shape of FC2 and female genitals makes insertion complicated and predisposes women to be vulnerable in sexual relationships. The third was that the size and shape of FC2 results in pain and discomfort during coitus, exposing women to unwanted pregnancies and HIV and AIDS. CONCLUSIONS : The findings indicated the need for an evocative collaborative, interdisciplinary ‘walk the talk’ sexual health and AIDS education training programme for health care providers in primary health care facilities. Such programmes, if maintained, may assist health care providers to achieve the MDG 3, 5 and 6.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Nursing Scienc

Challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6

BACKGROUND : Despite progress made by other countries worldwide in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6, South Africa is experiencing a challenge in attaining positive outcomes for these goals. OBJECTIVE AND SETTING : To describe the challenges experienced by South Africa regarding the successful implementation of MDGs 4, 5 and 6. METHODS : An integrative literature review was used to identify and synthesise various streams of literature on the challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining MDGs 4, 5 and 6. RESULTS : The integrative review revealed the following themes: (1) interventions related to child mortality reduction, (2) implementation of maternal mortality reduction strategies, and (3) identified barriers to zero HIV and TB infections and management. CONCLUSION : It is recommended that poverty relief mechanisms be intensified to improve the socio-economic status of women. There is a need for sectoral planning towards maternal health, and training of healthcare workers should emphasise the reduction of maternal deaths. Programmes addressing the reduction of maternal and child mortality rates, HIV, STIs and TB need to be put in place.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Nursing Scienc

The constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the second generation female condom : the narratives from the healthcare providers

BACKGROUND : Despite the redesigning of the Reality condom (FC) to a new version of the second generation female condom commonly known as (FC2), the users are persistently constrained and concerned about the size and shape of this new version. Condom use is aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 3, 5 and 6, which address gender equality, improving maternal health and preventing HIV and AIDS. AIM : To explore and describe the constraints and concerns regarding the size and/or shape of the FC2. SETTING : The study was conducted at Tshwane health district in Gauteng province. METHODS : A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was used. Individual in-depth interviews that yielded narratives in a designated health district in South Africa were conducted. RESULTS : From the analysis of narratives three specific themes emerged. Firstly, the specific theme was that the size and shape of FC2 is undesirable for the health care providers, which may lead women to contract HIV and AIDS. The second theme was that the size and shape of FC2 and female genitals makes insertion complicated and predisposes women to be vulnerable in sexual relationships. The third was that the size and shape of FC2 results in pain and discomfort during coitus, exposing women to unwanted pregnancies and HIV and AIDS. CONCLUSIONS : The findings indicated the need for an evocative collaborative, interdisciplinary ‘walk the talk’ sexual health and AIDS education training programme for health care providers in primary health care facilities. Such programmes, if maintained, may assist health care providers to achieve the MDG 3, 5 and 6.http://www.phcfm.orgam2016Nursing Scienc

Identification of nursing assessment models/tools validated in clinical practice for use with diverse ethno-cultural groups: an integrative review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High income nations are currently exhibiting increasing ethno-cultural diversity which may present challenges for nursing practice. We performed an integrative review of literature published in North America and Europe between 1990 and 2007, to map the state of knowledge and to identify nursing assessment tools/models which are have an associated research or empirical perspective in relation to ethno-cultural dimensions of nursing care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was retrieved from a wide variety of sources, including key electronic bibliographic databases covering research in biomedical fields, nursing and allied health, and culture, e.g. CINAHL, MEDline, PUBmed, Cochrane library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and HAPI. We used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools for quality assessment. We applied Torraco's definition and method of an integrative review that aims to create new knowledge and perspectives on a given phenomena. To add methodological rigor with respect to the search strategy and other key review components we also used the principles established by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Thirteen thousand and thirteen articles were retrieved, from which 53 full papers were assessed for inclusion. Eight papers met the inclusion criteria, describing research on a total of eight ethno-cultural assessment tools/models. The tools/models are described and synthesized.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>While many ethno-cultural assessment tools exist to guide nursing practice, few are informed by research perspectives. An increased focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of health services, patient safety, and risk management, means that provision of culturally responsive and competent health services will inevitably become paramount.</p

Challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6

Background: Despite progress made by other countries worldwide in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 6, South Africa is experiencing a challenge in attaining positive outcomes for these goals. Objective and setting: To describe the challenges experienced by South Africa regarding the successful implementation of MDGs 4, 5 and 6. Methods: An integrative literature review was used to identify and synthesise various streams of literature on the challenges experienced by South Africa in attaining MDGs 4, 5 and 6. Results: The integrative review revealed the following themes: (1) interventions related to child mortality reduction, (2) implementation of maternal mortality reduction strategies, and (3) identified barriers to zero HIV and TB infections and management. Conclusion: It is recommended that poverty relief mechanisms be intensified to improve the socio-economic status of women. There is a need for sectoral planning towards maternal health, and training of healthcare workers should emphasise the reduction of maternal deaths. Programmes addressing the reduction of maternal and child mortality rates, HIV, STIs and TB need to be put in place. Keywords: Millennium Development Goals; maternal and child morbidity and mortality; HIV and AIDS; STI and T

Enhancing the professional dignity of midwives: A phenomenological study

BACKGROUND : When midwives are not treated with respect and their professional competencies are not recognised, their professional dignity is violated. OBJECTIVE : This study explored and described how the professional dignity of midwives in the selected hospital can be enhanced based on their experiences. RESEARCH DESIGN : A descriptive phenomenological research design was used with in-depth interviews conducted with 15 purposely selected midwives. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS : The Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the University of Pretoria approved the study. The research was conducted in an academic tertiary hospital with voluntary participants. FINDINGS : To dignify midwives it is essential to enhance the following: ‘to acknowledge the capabilities of midwives’, ‘to appreciate interventions of midwives’, ‘to perceive midwives as equal health team members’, ‘to invest in midwives’, ‘to enhance collegiality’, ‘to be cared for by management’ and ‘to create conducive environments’. CONCLUSION : The professional dignity of midwives is determined by their own perspectives of the contribution that they make to the optimal care of patients, the respect that they get from others and the support that hospital management gives them. With support and care, midwives’ professional dignity is enhanced. Midwives will strive to render excellent services as well as increasing their commitment.http://journals.sagepub.com/home/nejhj2018Nursing Scienc