Weak, attention seeker, crazy, nuts, cry baby, anti-social, moody, selfish, psycho, lazy, angry, bitter, bipolar, disturbed, schizo—have you ever said or had these words said to you? These are some of the hurtful words used when referring to someone experiencing a mental health condition. October is World Mental Health Awareness month, which aims to educate…
Contraception during the Covid-19 epidemic
When international news began to be flooded with reports of a rising number of coronavirus infections at the beginning of this year, the virus seemed to me like a distant threat that was unlikely to reach Africa. In retrospect, I realize that was very naïve! South Africa recorded its first case of COVID-19 on March…
What does womanhood mean to you? Lessons of greatness from the past
Have you ever heard the phrases “those who don’t know history are bound to repeat it” or “It’s important to know history so that you learn from it”? As young women in South Africa, we have a great example of history to learn from. On August 9 1956, in what came to be known as…
Surround yourself with people that will help you grow
After my daughter was born, I was depressed and scared because of the stories I have heard about being a single parent. Even though I had managed to carry my daughter for nine months, I was worried about how I would raise her, and at some point I even tried to commit suicide. I never…
Join Inside my Purse for Facebook live chat
Hello readers, chat with us LIVE on Facebook every Friday at 5pmSAST/6pmEAT as we host remarkable women on topics related to sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence. We want to hear your questions, concerns and experiences! So please follow us @InsideMyPurse and be sure not to miss these informative chats by women and…
My experience with the triad of gender-based violence, HIV and sexual and reproductive health
*This post is a transcript and was translated from isiXhosa On Friday last week, a friend shared the link to a Facebook live chat and suggested I join. I noticed that the chat had something to do with gender-based violence (GBV), so I decided to give it a go. When it ended, I was triggered…
It’s Time to End TB!
World TB Day is observed on 24 March every year to raise public awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and to accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease. This year’s theme for World TB Day is: It’s Time. These may seem like just two simple words, yet they carry a lot of weight and interpretation. This year, World…
Gender Parity as a solution to world challenges
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared the 21st century of the women’s equality. He also spoke of how the problems affecting the world cannot be solved without achieving gender parity. As we commemorate International Women`s Day, I am reminded of some of these problems and how they affect women in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe faces many challenges…