NEW YORK, 25 April 2024: After one year of hostilities in Sudan, we are appealing for more international engagement to combat sexual violence against women and girls in the country. These barbaric acts, which echo the horrors witnessed in Darfur two decades ago, must spur immediate action.
BLANTYRE, MALAWI —
Malawi and its development partners are trying something new to help the country’s most vulnerable women and girls get out of extreme poverty. Besides enhancing their socio-economic status, a new three-year program will strengthen their resilience to crises, shocks, and disasters.
Imagine missing school or work every month because you can't afford sanitary pads. This is the reality for over 37 million Nigerian women and girls, according to a former Minister of Women's Affairs, Pauline Tallen.
South Africa is feeling the impacts of global warming. Heat is frequent and more intense. Human-induced climate change made the severe 2015-2017 drought three to six times more likely. But climate change also doubled the likelihood of the heavy rain that hit parts of South Africa in April 2022, which led to 400 people being killed and many thousands forced to flee their homes.
SOURCE: Afrobarometer
Women still trail men in educational attainment and ownership of key assets.
Key findings
- In Liberia, women are less likely than men to have secondary or post-secondary education (42% vs. 61%).
- Women trail men in ownership of key assets, including a mobile phone (72% vs. 86%), a bank account (15% vs. 23%), a motor vehicle (10% vs. 18%), and a computer (6% vs. 11%). However, decision-making on how household money is spent is fairly equal between women and men.
- Majorities of Liberians say women should have the same rights as men to own and inherit land (85%) and to get paying jobs (59%). However, men are less likely than women to support gender equality in land rights and hiring.
- A large majority say women enjoy equal rights when it comes to jobs (79%) and land ownership/inheritance (82%).
- More than three-quarters (78%) of Liberians say women should have the same chance as men of being elected to public office. o But while more than eight in 10 (86%) think a woman's family will gain standing in the community if she runs for office, 65% consider it likely that she will be criticised or harassed by others in the community, and 54% think she will probably face problems with her family.
- Two-thirds (67%) of Liberians say the government should do more to promote equal rights and opportunities for women.
- Gender-based violence ranks as the most important women's-rights issue that citizens say their government and society must address.
Despite the groundbreaking election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as the country’s first female president in 2006, bridging the gender gap in post-civil war Liberia remains a challenge. The Sirleaf government formulated a National Gender Policy in 2009 that aimed at integrating gender policies into national development agendas and ensuring that gender-responsive frameworks enable women and men to benefit equally from development initiatives (Ministry of Gender and Development, 2009).
Officials from the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) and the Office of the Vice President have affirmed to the National Assembly Select Committee on Health, Disaster, Humanitarian Relief, and Refugees that the Nutrition Bill 2023 will empower women in The Gambia.
Two-thirds of citizens say men should be given priority over women in hiring.
Officials from the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) and the Office of the Vice President have affirmed to the National Assembly Select Committee on Health, Disaster, Humanitarian Relief, and Refugees that the Nutrition Bill 2023 will empower women in The Gambia.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Anastasia Majasho's journey with obstetric fistula began during her second pregnancy. Prolonged labor led to complications, and despite a previous cesarean scar, a vaginal delivery was attempted. This resulted in a ruptured scar and the tragic loss of her baby.
Lusaka, Zambia — "We began our life together from scratch. I was full of life, passion and blind love," says mother-of-three Mwaka*. "Then, later, you find out who the person truly is."
The Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will this week host a policy dialogue on the prevention of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Formerly dominated by men, the Nigerian banking industry is gradually being overtaken by female banking gurus as the number of women leading the major banks in the country has increased in recent years.
Following two hurried weeks of campaigning, Senegal's delayed presidential election is set for this Sunday - with more than 7 million people registered to vote for a record 18 candidates.
CONFINED in a violent marriage, Rose Mweneali fought for her life.
Luanda - The promotion of the economic and social empowerment of women and girls and the fight against gender violence constitute the main challenges of the Ministry of Social Action, Family and Promotion of Women (MASFAMU), The secretary of State, Alcina Lopes Kindanda said on Wednesday in Luanda.
What do poverty, climate change, and conflict have in common? They are among the biggest challenges confronting Africa, and they all disproportionately affect women living in poverty or on the margins of society. Both research and experience have demonstrated that these women have enormous potential to improve the well-being of their families and communities.
Women account for a far smaller percentage of job applicants than men in public service, the lower chamber of Parliament has exposed. It called for an inquiry into the matter to understand the underlying reasons and what could be the appropriate response.
SIDAMA REGION, Ethiopia - Entering adulthood can be a beautiful journey, but for those who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM), it often carries layers of pain and trauma. FGM leaves a scar that goes beyond physical pain. It robs young girls of the opportunity to embrace womanhood on their terms. The shame and trauma often linger with them for a long time. Yet in the face of these challenges, FGM survivors show strength and resilience by reclaiming their voice and advocating for a world free of harmful practices. Below, three young women share their experiences.
By: Agnes Miriam
As we commemorate International Women's Day this year with the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," it is imperative to acknowledge the proactive role that women play in shaping their future. The need to give priority to responding to gender disparities and violence against women and girls is growing. This means that governments must finance measures that take gender equality into account and implement laws and policies that prioritize social protection and other necessities.
Between 2012 and 2013, USD 4 billion annually on average, or 5% of aid screened against the DAC gender marker, was directed towards gender equality as a primary goal. In contrast, gender equality was the secondary goal of USD 22 billion, or 25%. When combined, these figures indicate that just 30% of help is tailored to the needs and interests of women. While aid for gender equality reached USD 28 billion in 2012–13, the average annual funding for women's civil society organizations and institutions was less than USD 400 million. Women's equality organizations and institutions received a mere 1% of all aid aimed at promoting gender equality in unstable states. However, initiatives to promote state-building and peace are frequently led by women's organizations.
Only 0.42% of foundation grants are allocated towards women’s rights. 0.13% of the total Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to Women’s Rights Organisations(WROs). As of 2017-2018, ODA totalled $153 billion of which, $198 million was given to WROs and 0.4% of all aid associated with all gender-related aid. Four out of every five (48%) of the Global South feminist and women’s rights organizations that filed a profile with the GFW between 2015 and 2019 stated that their most recent fiscal year budget was less than $30,000. Merely two out of every six groups have budgets above $1 million, and only 65 had recent FY budgets over $300,000. Women’s rights organizations had an average budget of just $20,000, 50% of them had never gotten core financing, 50% had never received multi-year funding, and 98% of them had not raised all their funds for the upcoming year. A significant amount of aid cash earmarked for the Global South ultimately remains in the Global North. Development money anticipated to return to donor countries exceeds $24 billion.
A UN report shows that women and girls are not receiving nearly enough medical and non-medical support when dealing with gender-based violence. Globally, nations provided $204 billion in foreign development aid in 2022, of that substantial amount, just one-fifth (0.2%) was allocated to the prevention of gender-based violence. In the meantime, government organizations or huge aid groups received 98% of that funding. The decline in funding or lack of it has immense catastrophic effects on ending gender-based violence as responders lack training funds contributing to low-quality service provision for survivors of violence in medical care and the care provided may not include all the essential services prescribed. Gender-based violence prevention is not at the top of donors’ priority list when it comes to ODA spending. In 2021, $14.38 billion was spent on health, $10.12 billion on education, $1.84 billion on social protection and $4.14 billion on environmental protection in aid and development. Although ODA has increased generally over the past five years, an OECD analysis shows that support for GBV has decreased by 13% between 2018–2019 ($581 million) and 2020–2021 ($458 million).
International Women's Day highlights the significant role women play in shaping their future. However, only 30% of aid is tailored to women's needs and interests. Women's rights receive only 0.42% of foundation donations and 0.13% of the total Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to Women's Rights Organisations (WROs). Meeting out gender equality goals means this must change fast. Accelerating progress towards generation equality and economic stability means that women and feminist changemakers must be well-supported financially.
By: Agnes Miriam
As we commemorate International Women's Day this year with the theme "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," it is imperative to acknowledge the proactive role that women play in shaping their future. The need to give priority to responding to gender disparities and violence against women and girls is growing. This means that governments must finance measures that take gender equality into account and implement laws and policies that prioritize social protection and other necessities.
Between 2012 and 2013, USD 4 billion annually on average, or 5% of aid screened against the DAC gender marker, was directed towards gender equality as a primary goal. In contrast, gender equality was the secondary goal of USD 22 billion, or 25%. When combined, these figures indicate that just 30% of help is tailored to the needs and interests of women. While aid for gender equality reached USD 28 billion in 2012–13, the average annual funding for women's civil society organizations and institutions was less than USD 400 million. Women's equality organizations and institutions received a mere 1% of all aid aimed at promoting gender equality in unstable states. However, initiatives to promote state-building and peace are frequently led by women's organizations.
Only 0.42% of foundation grants are allocated towards women’s rights. 0.13% of the total Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to Women’s Rights Organisations(WROs). As of 2017-2018, ODA totalled $153 billion of which, $198 million was given to WROs and 0.4% of all aid associated with all gender-related aid. Four out of every five (48%) of the Global South feminist and women’s rights organizations that filed a profile with the GFW between 2015 and 2019 stated that their most recent fiscal year budget was less than $30,000. Merely two out of every six groups have budgets above $1 million, and only 65 had recent FY budgets over $300,000. Women’s rights organizations had an average budget of just $20,000, 50% of them had never gotten core financing, 50% had never received multi-year funding, and 98% of them had not raised all their funds for the upcoming year. A significant amount of aid cash earmarked for the Global South ultimately remains in the Global North. Development money anticipated to return to donor countries exceeds $24 billion.
A UN report shows that women and girls are not receiving nearly enough medical and non-medical support when dealing with gender-based violence. Globally, nations provided $204 billion in foreign development aid in 2022, of that substantial amount, just one-fifth (0.2%) was allocated to the prevention of gender-based violence. In the meantime, government organizations or huge aid groups received 98% of that funding. The decline in funding or lack of it has immense catastrophic effects on ending gender-based violence as responders lack training funds contributing to low-quality service provision for survivors of violence in medical care and the care provided may not include all the essential services prescribed. Gender-based violence prevention is not at the top of donors’ priority list when it comes to ODA spending. In 2021, $14.38 billion was spent on health, $10.12 billion on education, $1.84 billion on social protection and $4.14 billion on environmental protection in aid and development. Although ODA has increased generally over the past five years, an OECD analysis shows that support for GBV has decreased by 13% between 2018–2019 ($581 million) and 2020–2021 ($458 million).
International Women's Day highlights the significant role women play in shaping their future. However, only 30% of aid is tailored to women's needs and interests. Women's rights receive only 0.42% of foundation donations and 0.13% of the total Official Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to Women's Rights Organisations (WROs). Meeting out gender equality goals means this must change fast. Accelerating progress towards generation equality and economic stability means that women and feminist changemakers must be well-supported financially.