This article was published as part of a special issue in the International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research on “Alcohol Prevention Research and Policy Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.” FORUT and Movendi supported the publication of articles by authors from low- and middle-income countries.
In this article, Fortein and Diedericks shared the story of how the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance succeeded in opposing a policy allowing alcohol sales at schools for fundraising events. The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance emphasized how the policy contradicted the 2016 National Liquor Policy which restricts liquor shops within 500 metres of schools. The South Africa branch of the Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance tapped various advocacy tools to lobby against the policy, including engaging government education departments at various levels, engaging experts, conducting stakeholder consultations, launching a comprehensive media campaign, mobilising the public, and engaging with the policy process through submissions to the public consultation.
Fortein and Diedericks also highlighted lessons from the advocacy, including the importance of engaging sectors outside of public health, mobilising support through consultations, providing a platform for action for the public, and engaging the media, among others. The strong civil society movement led by the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance led to the removal of the clause allowing alcohol sales in schools in the Basic Education Legislation Amendment Bill.
Authors: Terri-Liza Fortein and Aadielah Maker-Diedericks
Publisher: International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research
Year of Publication: 2024
Recommended citation: Fortein, T.-L., & Diedericks , A. M. (2024). Safeguarding South African schools: Civil society action against alcohol sales in educational settings. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 12(S1), S52–S56.
Read full article: https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.475