On 13 November 2025, GroundUp published an opinion editorial co-authored by SERI's Lungelo Mncwabe, Abahlali baseMjondolo's Zandile Nsibande, and former SERI Women’s Spaces Project Coordinator Nerishka Singh entitled, 'Women in informal settlements are often silenced yet they face particular challenges'. The op-ed discusses how women in informal settlements are often systemically excluded from local political life, including from leadership, decision-making, and deliberation that affect their lives.
The op-ed argues that to address the particular issues and needs of women in informal settlements, meaningful engagement with women must be a starting point. In the op-ed, Mncwabe, Nsibande, and Singh also acknowledge the dichotomy described by women:
"When we spoke to women living in informal settlements, they described their experiences in two contrasting ways. On one hand, they felt isolated and neglected. But on the other hand, women recognised the strength it takes to survive and be an active member of the community within an informal settlement. Many expressed their frustration at being dismissed by both their communities and by institutions that take their requests for help and reports of abuse as fabricated or strategic."
The op-ed is based on the findings from SERI's report 'A Gendered Analysis of Informal Settlements in South Africa', which explores how women living in informal settlements have gendered experiences of the structural violence of systemic inequality, illustrated by infrastructural and environmental violence. The report examines how these forms of violence intersect with gender inequality, creating barriers to women’s access to basic services, livelihoods, participation, and tenure security.
- Access the full article here.