Ms Sylvia Mbataru.Webinar on the CIVICUS Monitor
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The Centre for Civil Society (CCS) in UKZN’s School of Built Environment and Development Studies hosted a webinar to demonstrate the use of the CIVICUS Monitor. This cutting-edge research tool that was built by civil society provides an overview of key civic space trends in Africa and the world.
Ms Sylvia Mbataru, a human rights and public policy lawyer who is a researcher at CIVICUS explained that the monitor aims to share reliable, up-to-date data on the state of civil society freedoms in all countries. Its interactive world map enables one to access live updates from civil society around the world, track threats to civil society and learn about the ways in which citizens’ right to participate is being realised or challenged.
‘A rating system is used to track the state of a country,’ said Mbataru. The colours represent Open, Narrowed, Obstructed, Repressed, and Closed, so that we have an evidence-based view of a country.’
The monitor provides information on conditions in particular locations. Overall, it reflects that many people live under repressive conditions with few in open spaces. It highlights the repression of the rights of women, workers, the Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community and the youth as well as the violation of people’s right to a clean environment.
Mbataru noted that ‘The most common violations of civic freedom across Africa are attacking and prohibiting journalists from doing their job, repression of protest and censorship.’ She added that there has been some improvement in terms of defenders of human rights on the continent, with several released from prison. However, during elections, restrictions tend to increase. This was seen in Cameroon (2016 and previous elections), Nicaragua (2021 elections), Hungary, Kenya, and Serbia (2020), the United States (2020) and Zimbabwe.
The CIVICUS Monitor can be accessed at https://monitor.civicus.org.
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photograph: Supplied