In a joint statement several women’s and human rights groups demanded that the media stops targeting female political activists.
Maghreb women have made many strides towards improved rights, but governments and social pressure continue to stand in their way. This was the tone taken at a two-day forum that ended Saturday (April 27th) in Casablanca.
The African Women’s Development and Communication Network ( FEMNET) is recruiting men to stand up for women under threat of being stripped or harassed for being skimpily dressed in public places.
During the rebel takeover of northern Mali in April 2012, many women said they were subjected to rape or sexual assault. Since then, little or no support has come through for these women, say aid workers.
More than 50 government, civil society, academic and United Nations experts came together for a meeting coordinated by the African Union (AU) in partnership with UN Women from 24 to 26 April in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review key frameworks and initiatives on maternal and newborn child health and recommend actions for reduction of maternal and child deaths in Africa.
A big step was taken at the United Nations in March when governments adopted an historic agreement in the Commission on the Status of Women to prevent and end violence against women and girls. The agreement, which breaks new ground with its strong focus on prevention, protection of women’s rights and provision of services to survivors, sets a strong foundation for follow-up action and also for the future of international development.
AFRICA: Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS): Sub-Saharan Africa’s Secret Scourge of Girls and Women
PLOS NTDs editor-in-chief Peter Hotez highlights the subject of Female Genital Schistosomiasis in Africa that continues to affect women there heavily, yet receives disproportionally little attention.
Source: UN News Centre
There are encouraging signs that the new push for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) can succeed, Mary Robinson said today in her first briefing to the Security Council since taking her post as United Nations Envoy for Africa's Great Lakes Region.
"I believe we do meet at a moment of renewed opportunity," Mrs. Robinson told a closed door session in New York of the 15-nation Council via video teleconference.
The place of women in a nation's economy is very important because it enhances their participation in development which is essential not only in achieving social justice but also in reducing poverty.
Source: Human Rights Watch
International donors meeting in London to discuss the new Somali government's reform agenda should make accountability and women's rights a priority, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper sent to conference participants. On May 7, 2013, over 50 countries will convene to discuss the government's strategic plans for justice, police, and army reform, prevention of sexual violence, and financial management.
Source: Premium Times
About 24 days from now, thousands of medical practitioners, policy makers, development workers and advocates for improved health care delivery for women will converge on Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Their mission will be the third edition of the Women Deliver Conference, a global conference put together by Women Deliver, an advocacy group comprising a coalition of organisations working towards generating "political commitment and resource investments to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health."
Source: Vanguard
Abiola Akiyode — Abiola Akiyode is an activist of note within and outside Nigeria. The Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre- WARDC, in this interview, among other issues, she suggests the need for a gender struggle that is less elitist and which would easily accommodate the rural women who largely constitute the female population in Nigeria.
AFRICAN women who undergo female genital mutilation are in essence victims of their traditions and customs. Generally, most countries practise this culture to protect their customs.
There are fewer women occupying leadership positions in Rwanda's higher learning institutions, despite efforts to promote education for women and to place them in decision making positions.
Source: The Standard
The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has said the distribution of female condoms rose sharply following the launch of a home meeting concept. A recent survey by ZNFPC revealed that the supply of female condoms from the national distribution centre in the first quarter of 2013 was 1 047 832 pieces compared to 847 008 pieces the same period last year.
Source: The Guardian
SOCIO-POLITICAL and economic advancement of women could mostly be achieved in the shortest- possible time if the global community shows appreciation of the capacity of women. That, experts say, would widen the network of women and build their capacity to do great things.
This is part of the revelation at this year's Women Advancement Forum (WAF), which took place last week at Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Source: Times of Zambia
THE United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) has welcomed progress that Zambia and other countries have made in addressing violence against women and girls. The international body is happy that countries have made progress through various national laws and policies.
Source: SW Radio Africa
Zimbabwe's first black female newspaper editor and daily news columnist, Edna Machirori, has been awarded this year's International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition that has been hailed by female journalists who work under the tough male dominated environment in Zimbabwe.
Source: Daily News
A TOTAL of 25,000 Tanzania Women Bank (TWB) customers have benefited from loans worth Tshs 33 billion since it started. Among those benefited, 82 per cent are women while 18 per cent are men.
Source: Daily Trust
The wife of the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs. Hauwa Philip Aduda, on Wednesday kick-started a special empowerment programme for rural women in the six area councils of the territory with startup capital given to women in some Abaji communities.
At the flag-off ceremony in Alu-Mamagi village in Abaji Area Council, the senator's wife also gave the local women 700 big size coolers, 150 industrial cooking pots, 4,000 wrappers and cash donations.