Source:Huffington Post
The empowerment concept gives life to the idea that a woman can be an agent of change in her own life, determining her own future. But defining empowerment is nearly impossible. The way we see others, and ourselves, is subjected to our own life experiences, perspectives, culture and values. It is also defined according to (societal) norms, market-based and political agendas. As a graduate student studying international gender and development and working in various global communities, I became keenly aware of the narrow vision (including my own) of what an "empowered" woman looks like.
Source: Huffington Post
Without the shelter of trees, talons of wind rend the vulnerable farm fields of Salabwek, Kenya, stripping away precious topsoil. But one 16-year-old arborist is bringing back the trees.
Source: News 24
At least 214 young women and girls recently rescued from Boko Haram in north-eastern Nigeria are pregnant, the UN Population Fund said on Monday.
Nigeria's army freed almost 7 000 women from various Boko Haram camps last week.
Source:Mail & Guardian
With less than a year left until the deadline for countries to reach the millennium development goals set by the United Nations, the majority of women in South Africa are not benefitting from gains made in terms of gender equality. This is in part caused by gender-based violence, according to the Commission for Gender Equality.
Source: Premium Times
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, passed Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Bill which seeks to prohibit female circumcision or genital mutilation, forceful ejection from home and harmful widowhood practices.
Source: UN News Centre
Nearly 800 women continue to die every day from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, the United Nations spotlighted as it marked the International Day of the Midwife with a call for greater investment to increase the number of midwives and enhance the quality and reach of their services.
Source: CapitalFM
Kenya Women Parliamentarians (KEWOPA) now wants the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee to withdraw the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) 2015 Bill proposing the progressive implementation of the two thirds gender rule.
Source: Daily News
PRESIDENT Jakaya Kikwete has appointed Ambassador Liberata Mulamula to the post of Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Source: SpyGhana
A selection of some of the most beautiful female voices of Africa was recently in Johannesburg, South Africa, to record a song calling for world leaders to put women empowerment at the heart of the new development goals, in order to put the world on track to end extreme poverty.
Source: SpyGhana
Kenyan women are investing in real estate as many become economically empowered and the country's constitution offers them support to own property.
Source: East African Business Week
Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has urged Uganda Women operating in the informal sector to formalize their Business by registering them with the Bureau.
Source: Huffington Post
A campaign highlighting the critical role of media in helping to end female genital mutilation (FGM) was launched in Kenya, Nairobi, last year.
Source: Al Jazeera
Congo-Brazzaville has banned Muslim women from wearing the full face-veil in public, citing security reasons, an Islamic association said.
Source: DW
Nigeria troops have freed 234 more women and children from the Boko Haram stronghold in the Sambisa forest. The army operation is aiming to recover more kidnap victims.
Source: IOL News
Durban - King Goodwill Zwelithini has taken aim at the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act for disempowering polygamist men from taking additional wives without getting written consent from their existing wives.
Source: Star Africa
A UK-based charity – the Iranian & Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation (IKWRO), on Friday opened the first specialist refuge for Middle Eastern and North African women. Diana Nammi, Executive Director of IKWRO said the refuge will accommodate and support vulnerable single women at risk of honour based violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic violence.
Source: The Sunday Independent
Coverage of the decision by the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) to postpone its elective conference regretfully fails to understand the role of internal party dynamics in reaching decisions.
Source:Medical Press
Young HIV positive women are more likely to practice safer sex if they have an equitable perception of gender roles, according to new research involving the University of Southampton.
Source: The Guardian
After years of absorbing negative stereotypes, many in the west equate Africa with suffering, disease and corruption. Yet while distinct water, food and energy challenges remain, 21st-century Africa is bustling with innovation and creativity.
Source:All Africa
The Department of Women's Director General, Jenny Schreiner, says women are still not getting involved in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines at a satisfactory rate.