In this episode of Intersectional Psychology, we explore how religion shapes our understanding of justice in South Africa, particularly in relation to gender. From early moral teachings about "right" and "wrong", to the ways religious doctrine influences law, relationships, and social norms, faith plays a far more political role than it often admits.

Drawing on personal experience, psychological insight, and feminist and decolonial perspectives, this episode unpacks both the liberatory and harmful roles religion can play. This is not a conversation about whether religion is "good" or "bad".

It's about asking a more uncomfortable question: When religion speaks about justice — who is it actually protecting?

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| 00:00:00 Short introduction | 00:01:46 Land acknowledgement | 00:02:14 Title credits: Gender, power, and the very selective pursuit of justice | 00:02:39 Welcome and introduction continued | 00:05:43 How religion influences the pursuit of justice | 00:07:44 When religion does promote justice (Yes, it happens... Sometimes) | 00:10:28 Religion as a tool for gender justice | 00:12:44 When religion undermines justice | 00:14:11 Doctrine, power, and the body | 00:17:07 Religion, politics, and the post-apartheid gap | 00:18:18 Where do we go from here? | 00:23:02 End credits

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Content Note: This episode discusses gender-based violence and femicide. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Gender-based violence is often described as a crisis. But what if it’s also a system?

In this episode of Intersectional Psychology, we examine how patriarchal ideology helps produce and sustain gender-based violence in South Africa. From early childhood socialisation to cultural practices, institutional failures, and historical inequalities, violence against women does not emerge in isolation — it grows out of deeply embedded power structures.

The episode also examines the profound psychological, social, and economic consequences of domestic violence for survivors, families, and communities. Finally, we explore what research tells us about prevention: why community-driven interventions are often more effective than isolated policy responses, and what it might take to dismantle the systems that allow gender-based violence to persist.

Because ending gender-based violence requires more than responding to individual acts of harm. It requires confronting the structures that make that harm possible.

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| 00:00:00 Short introduction | 00:01:09 Land acknowledgement | 00:01:37 Title credits: Femicide nation: The psychology of gender-based violence | 00:02:01 Welcome and introduction continued | 00:07:02 Patriarchy: Not just an individual problem | 00:09:57 How violence gets normalised early | 00:12:29 "Boys will be boys" and other dangerous myths | 00:16:40 Intersectionality: Violence has a history | 00:19:36 What violence does to people | 00:21:29 What actually works | 00:24:21 Dismantling patriarchy is prevention | 00:27:47 Conclusion | 00:31:08 End credits

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Gqola, P.D. (2015) Rape: A SA Nightmare. Johannesburg: MF Books. Gqola, P.D. (2021) Female Fear Factory: Gender and Patriarchy Under Racial Capitalism. Johannesburg: MF Books. Pretorius, L. (2025). South Africa declared gender-based violence a national disaster. But how will frontline workers be kept safe? The Conversation [online]. December 9, 2025. Available at: https://theconversation.com/south-africa-declared-gender-based-violence-a-national-disaster-but-how-will-frontline-workers-be-kept-safe-271323 Ramaphosa, C. (2025). Violence against women is a national disaster that demands national action. South African Government [online]. December 8, 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.za/blog/violence-against-women-national-disaster-demands-national-action Rasethaba, L. (dir.) (2018) The People vs. Patriarchy. MTV South Africa [online]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAoPFeObqe4 (Accessed 21 July 2024) Uguru, H. (2025). South Africa finally declares GBV a national disaster. The New Humanitarian [online]. December 2, 2025. Available at: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2025/12/02/south-africa-finally-declares-gbv-national-disaster

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Content Note: This episode discusses masculinity, power, and gender-based violence at a structural and analytical level. There are no graphic descriptions, but some themes may be challenging. Please take care of yourself while listening.

Masculinity is often treated as a personality trait — something individual men have or don’t have, something that can be improved with better intentions.

In this episode of Intersectional Psychology, we take a different approach.

Drawing on feminist, decolonial, and African scholarship, we explore masculinity as a social structure — a hierarchy that organises power, normalises silence, and continues to shape institutions, relationships, and everyday life, even when men see themselves as “good people.”

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00:00:00 Pre-credit teaser 00:01:42 Land acknowledgement 00:02:10 Title credits: Masculinities, power, and the myths of the "Good Guy"? 00:02:32 Welcome and introduction 00:04:11 What do we mean by "masculinity"? 00:05:31 Hegemonic masculinity: The gold standard? 00:07:38 Complicit masculinity: The "good guys"? 00:09:44 Marginalised masculinity: Power without privilege 00:11:54 Subordinate masculinity: Policed and punished 00:13:59 Ratele and the decolonial turn 00:15:46 Violence, gender, and accountability 00:17:16 Alternative masculinities: Yes, they exist 00:21:30 End credits

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This mini episode shares updates for Intersectional Psychology in 2026, including a new biweekly release schedule, ongoing Patreon benefits, and a preview of upcoming series on GBV, disability, democracy, climate justice, migration, and the return of Intersectional Scenes.

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Season 3 of Intersectional Psychology focuses on trans and gender-diverse healthcare, rights, and resistance, with a particular emphasis on South Africa and the African continent. This episode challenges myths and centres lived experience, offering evidence-based insight and a clear-eyed look at the political realities shaping care and access today.

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00:00:00 Land acknowledgement 00:00:28 Title credits 00:01:09 Introduction to transgender health and rights 00:02:02 The actual access to gender-affirming health care (GAHC) 00:04:49 Affirmation is the first step 00:06:41 Non-medical gender-affirming practices 00:11:19 It goes all the way to the top! 00:14:40 What is hormone therapy in GAHC actually? 00:20:26 What is gender-affirming surgery actually? 00:22:31 Exporting "Eden": God, guns, and glossy pamphlets in Africa 00:30:11 Platforms of harm, laws of hope 00:33:12 The Gospel according to gaslight 00:41:01 Receipts, resistance, and raising hell 00:51:43 Don't feed the trolls, but don't starve yourself either 00:56:54 Love, families, and finding your people 01:00:11 End credits

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