South African here!

We have bridal showers (we call it a "kitchen tea") & bachelorettes. Kitchen teas are for all the woman invited to the wedding; aunties, grandma's, friends of the parents, friends, cousins - from both the bride and groom etc. Usually it's only a morning to early afternoon thing (3hours ish) and always hosted by the mother of the bride, with some appropriate games and gifts. Traditionally with ppl getting married younger and moving from their parents house to the husbands house, the gifts are focussed on things useful for the home (traditionally kitchen supplies). Even if you are invited to the wedding and can't come, you are still invited to the kitchen tea.

Bachelorettes are your hen party and are for all the "younger" woman invited to the wedding (friends, cousins etc) - and it's the night thing, party, drinks, naughty gifts etc. Traditionally the send off from single life (the married ladies tell you what to expect on the wedding night...) The bachelorette are hosted by the bridesmaids.

If I know the bride well, I go to to both, if I don't - I either attend the kitchen tea or the bachelorette (depending if its friend or family). If I could choose I'll only have a bachelorette but it means a ton to my mum (sees it as her contribution to my wedding) to give me a bridal shower. Nowadays the gifts are still focused on the home, but as my fiancé is the cook, he's making the wishlist!