MISA CHAIR BACKS MISOGYNIST WRITER

Alec Lushaba, the chair of the Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) in Swaziland, has written in support of the Times Sunday journalist who called battered women ‘bitches’ and said they only had themselves to blame when they were attacked. 

Qalakaliboli Dlamini was criticised by a host of human rights groups in Swaziland after he wrote that ‘most’ women who were victims of violence brought it upon themselves. He also said women were to blame for turning men violent. 

Dlamini wrote in his column this week (9 December 2012) that women were ‘culprits’ not ‘victims’. He said, ‘Women have carved themselves as the victims of this world and they are demanding even more than they deserve.’

He added, ‘Women find comfort in portraying themselves as victims.’ He said that women who walked out on abusing men were ‘bitches.’

At least six NGOs in Swaziland, including Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA), Swaziland Coalition of Concerned Civic Organizations, and the Coordinating Assembly for Non-Governmental Organisations (CANGO) have complained to the Times about the article, saying ‘The article incites hatred, and breaches human rights, journalistic ethics and good taste.’

But, Lushaba, writing on his Facebook page, defended Dlamini's article, saying, ‘It is wrong of us to suffocate such opinions.’

He went on, ‘As freedom of expression activists we must defend the right of an individual to express his view.’

MISA says it plays a ‘leading role in creating an environment of media freedom and free expression that promotes independence, pluralism and diversity of views and opinions, media sustainability, competency and professionalism in the southern African region.’

According to its website it states, ‘In dealing with these elements, MISA will ensure that gender-specific needs form an integral part of all its activities.’

See also

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS TAKE ON ‘TIMES’

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2012/12/human-rights-groups-take-on-times.html

‘TIMES’ SAYS BATTERED WOMEN TO BLAME

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2012/12/times-says-battered-women-to-blame.html

MISOGYNIST ‘TIMES’ WRITER UNDER ATTACK

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2012/12/misogynist-times-writer-under-attack.html

CALLS FOR SACKING OF MISOGYNIST WRITER

http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2012/12/calls-for-sacking-of-misogynist-writer.html