When Ahfad University for Women in Omdurman began offering a course in community development in the 1990s meant for mature, illiterate women farmers, the main goal was to expand the students’ role in the economic life of their communities. But over the years, many such courses have expanded to touch on more intimate subjects, including reproductive health, early marriage and even female genital mutilation/cutting, a longstanding tradition in the area.
Source: UPI.com
More women should be involved in the international peacekeeping process, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday in Munich, Germany.
Africa is a deeply patriarchal society; this is the part of the “Traditional African Value System.” Men dominate the socio-economic and political machinery and organizations. Men are regarded as natural leaders, who are superior and born to rule over women. Women are considered weaker vessels-extensions of men and secondary human beings. The pride and dignity of women are derived from and dependent on men.
The role that many women played in the history and formation of the ANC has barely been recognised, President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.
On the night of Jan. 25, on the anniversary of the protest that launched Egypt’s 18-day uprising, Tahrir Square was still packed from the day’s demonstration: shrouded in an ominous haze of pollution, burning garbage, celebratory fireworks and smoke from baked sweet-potato stands.
Women politicians in the Upper West Region have called on political parties to institute a quota system that will enable more women candidates to contest for parliamentary seats.
Source: Daily Trust
The Federal Government has promised to support programmes aimed at boosting the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women to improve their economic fortunes.
Source: Tanzania Daily News
A NATIONAL centre which will conduct research and publish information, statistics and documentation on Gender Based Violence (CBV) has been established.
Source: Swazi Media Commentary
A woman protester was shot at close range by Swazi police as she was walking from them.
Source: Daily Monitor
As Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we must recognise that despite a sustained effort to rid this country of the brutal practice, FGM remains deeply rooted among some communities.
If a Republican becomes president, says Michelle Goldberg, say goodbye to international programs providing birth control to women in desperately poor countries such as Liberia.
As UN Women celebrated its first birthday, its executive director Michelle Bachelet stressed that political upheveal and shrinking budgets are no excuse to push back the hard-won gains made by the women's movement globally.
The head of the United Nations entity mandated to promote gender equality today said that her priority this year is to enhance the economic empowerment and political participation of women and called for the support of the international community and the entire UN system to ensure success.
EU support in peace processes should be made conditional on women participating in negotiations. That is one of the conclusions of a report on women's situation in war by Romanian Liberal Norica Nicolai. The report proposes several measures to help reinforce the position of women in war-torn countries and to reduce sexual violence against them. The report will be voted on Thursday.
As Senegal edges closer to becoming the first African country to fully abandon female genital mutilation/cutting, younger women are supporting campaigns to change social norms surrounding the practice.
Source: IRIN News
The self-declared Republic of Somaliland is grappling with high child and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition and inadequate medical personnel, health officials told IRIN.
Source: allAfrica
Delegates who recently attended a gender summit in Addis Ababa hope the African Union Summit on Intra-African Trade that was also held there will take their recommendations into account to benefit the continent's women.
Source: The Citizen
A local organisation in Muleba District is running a unique programme in Nshamba Division to equip young girls with self-defence techniques for use against being sexually abused.
The high number of unnecessary deaths during pregnancy and childbirth is unacceptable for Intel Corporation and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.
The government came under fire yesterday, as Members of Parliament exposed gross violation of women’s rights and various forms of violence against women and girls in the country’s prisons.