| Press Release: FEW to inform Michelle Obama of the plight of homosexuals in Africa |  |
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| Written by Musa Ngubane | |||
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Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW) has been invited to attend the Young African Women Leaders Forum organized by the U.S. Mission to South Africa in which the First Lady of the United States of America, Mrs. Michelle Obama will be engaging young people about youth leadership, education, health and wellness. On June 22, 2011, FEW will be calling on the U.S. Government to continue addressing homophobia on the African continent and the alarming acts of violence against Lesbians in South African and the impact this has on the everyday lives of homosexuals.Protecting people and preventing violence means more than investigating after the fact. Without meaningful government action to affirm the rights of gays and lesbians we continue to live in fear. This year alone, at least three Lesbian women have been attacked and murdered in South Africa. The most recent killing was of a Lesbian woman called Noxolo Nogwaza, according to reports, Nogwaza’s body was found lying in the alley in Kwa-Thema at about 9am on Sunday, April 24, 2011 with her head completely deformed. The targeted killings of Lesbian women are part of a broader pattern of violence against LGBT people in South Africa. In the wake of the killings, the South African Government has not made sufficient efforts to combat, investigate and resolve these crimes. In two of the earlier cases, suspects were caught and prosecuted and sentenced to 31 years in prison and in two other cases suspects are in pre-trial detention. The remaining murders are being investigated. However little has been done to protect LGBT people in South Africa, especially Lesbian women, from future acts of violence. FEW and the entire LGBTI sector is also calling on the U.S. government to continue to speak out against homophobic attacks by State Leaders in Africa. FEW is calling on the U.S. Government to ensure that its bilateral agreements with governments include the support of the LGBTI civil society sector. All persons in South Africa, including LGBTIs, are entitled to live without fear of murder or persecution. The homophobic killings need to stop, and for this we need all governments to take concrete action to protect LGBTI people. African governments should stop ignoring demands by LGBTI people to take measures to stop ongoing killings. African governments in turn need to stop hate murders against homosexual people and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information contact: Phindi Malaza Programme Co ordinator Tel: 011 333 0345 Fax: 011 333 0328 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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