South Africa

A termination of pregnancy is when a woman decides to end her pregnancy before its full term, by medical or surgical means. People often refer to a termination of pregnancy as an ‘abortion'.

The taking of a pap smear is a screening test provided to women to detect the early stages of what is called cervical cancer or in laymen's terms cancer of the "mouth of the womb". If early signs of cancer are detected, further investigations are done and treatment given where appropriate. The earlier cancer is treated, the more likely the chances are of recovery.

Induced abortion is a safe medical procedure when carried out by skilled practitioners in hygienic environments. In places with restrictive abortion laws, untrained providers, unsanitary conditions and limited access to high quality abortion services, women are much more likely to experience immediate complications, longterm disabilities or sometimes death.

South Africa is awaiting the advent of digital terrestrial television (DTT), which will see a migration from the current analogue system to digital broadcasting. The changeover, estimated at R7-billion ($887 232), is being driven by the Policy Development Branch of the national Department of Communications in collaboration with state-owned broadcast network operator Sentech.

The migration is steered by the Digital Broadcasting Migration working group, which comprises four committees dealing with content, technical matters, economics and policy. It was established in August 2005 by Minister of Communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri with the mandate to develop a national strategy for the analogue to digital migration.

The working group consists of representatives from the broadcasting industry, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, government, civil society, organised labour, and relevant consumer groups. The group presented its recommendations in a report to the minister in November 2006.

"Digital migration was mooted as early as the late 1990s in South Africa," said Matsepe-Casaburri at the handover. "Through technological transformation, digital broadcasting can deliver more benefits for the industry and the public, with reduced transmission costs in the long term. As government, we have an obligation to ensure that services reach every citizen of this country at an even more affordable rate."

The court will set aside (not grant) a protection order if neither the complainant nor the respondent appears before court, or if one or both of the parties ask it to do so.

The complainant (the person who lodged the complaint) or the respondent (the person against whom the complaint was lodged) may apply for the variation (changing) or setting aside of a protection order by giving written notice to both the other party and the court.

If the court believes that the application was made freely and voluntarily, it can decide to vary or set aside the protection order.

Appropriate legislation to give effect to and reinforce the aforementioned international and national initiatives is of critical importance. It is clear that the law cannot be employed as a panacea for the ills of a complex social phenomenon such as domestic violence. However, when victims of domestic abuse do turn to the law for protection, the law should be effective and efficient in its response. Having regard to the Constitution of South Africa and the international commitments and obligations of the State towards ending violence against women and children, victims of domestic violence should be afforded the maximum protection by ensuring that the substance and procedures of domestic violence legislation are well tailored to the needs of those suffering abuse in a domestic context.

This landmark Act legalises termination of pregancy, and sets out South African law regrarding terminations.

This Act comprehensively and extensively review and amend all aspects of the laws and the implementation of the laws relating to sexual offences, and deals with all legal
aspects of or relating to sexual offences in a single statute. The Act reviews the definition of Sexual offences.

This is an easy-to-read booklet that: helps you understand the Orders, what they are and how they work; helps you to think more clearly and remember what you have to do; and
helps you gain and keep the courage to use the Orders to stop the violence. The booklet also explains the difference between a Protection Order and a Peace Order. The booklet is also useful for those trying to assist an abused person - it has some information on how to get a Protection Order for someone else too.

This resource documents how and under what circumstances a person could apply for a Protection Order under the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998. It includes steps to follow, as well as downloadable documents for your application.  It's useful for those wanting to apply for a protection order, and it might help to make sure you have all the right documentation with you when you go to the magistrates court to apply.