The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), is a vital piece of legislation that was enacted in 2015 and has been domesticated by many states in Nigeria. It has been described as the most effective legislation giving hope to countless women and girls in Nigeria as it aims to prohibit all forms of violence against persons in private and public life. Since it was passed into law by the President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 with just five states on board, the law has faced a lot of bottlenecks before it was domesticated in many states. indeed, it took seven years for 19 states to domesticate the act despite its importance. It faced a lot of challenges and currently, only 34 of Nigeria’s 36 states have domesticated the law. But while advocates are fighting to ensure the remaining two states domesticate the law for effective protection against domestic violence, sexual assault and practices across the country, all efforts put in are about to go down the drain as the Senate is set to repeal it and it has passed second reading based on the argument that it needs a complete reform.
Source: Seychelles News Agency
A business incubation centre will be established in Seychelles next year through a virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding between the COMESA Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Seychelles Chapter and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI).
Addis Abeba — Last week, an event unfolded that shook the entire country to its core; the story of seven-year-old Heaven Awot who was sexually violated and murdered by Getnet Bayih, father of three, and her mother's landlord, in August last year. When Heaven's body was discovered she was strangled, her lifeless body mutilated, and dumped with sand stuffed in her mouth. Her rapist and killer was sentenced to a mere 25 years in prison by a local court in the Amhara regional state, where he fielded an appeal, leading to public outrage and widespread calls for a death penalty to be imposed.
Source: Government of Mauritius
The development of a National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security in alignment with the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 was the focus of a workshop which was launched, today, by the Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, Mrs Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel in Balaclava.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Director-General, Advocate Mikateko Maluleke, has called for the establishment of a policy environment that removes barriers to women’s participation in trade and business, through policy advocacy and reform.
Addis Abeba – Twenty seven civil society organizations based in the Tigray region are calling for urgent action from regional authorities to address the escalating issue of gender-based violence against women.
The bill, among others, proposes to amend Sections 48 and 49 of the Constitution to provide one special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the FCT.
Bong County Representative Miama Briggs Mensah has assured the women and the public in general that a bill to abolish the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) would be passed.
As Uganda approaches its 2026 general elections, the nation faces a pressing and multifaceted challenge, the surge of gender focused disinformation.
By: Agnes Miriam Ojunga & Naomi Ndifon
Every year, over 2 million girls worldwide undergo one of the 4 forms of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) before their 5th birthday. 230 million of the less than 4 billion women and girls on the planet today are grappling with the lasting effects of female genital mutilation on their sexual, reproductive, and psychosocial health. What is regarded in several cultures across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East as a practice of purity, a code of chastity and a marker of marriageability and marital fidelity exposes toddler and adolescent girls to psychological trauma, urinary tract infections, cysts, and more. In their adult years as women during childbirth, they face a new set of complications; perineal tear, fresh stillbirth, and postpartum hemorrhage, putting their lives and the lives of their babies at risk.
And yet in light of these complications, little girls are still being cut by traditional practitioners and medical personnel every day.
In this article, we discuss Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) against the backdrop of the proposed repeal of the legal ban on FGM/C in The Gambia, why it is not just ‘circumcision’ and how a rollback on this basic human rights of girls in what is the smallest country in continental Africa might be a ticking global timebomb.
There has been an improvement in the life expectancy at birth for females in Zimbabwe following a rise from 66.5 years to 68 years while male life expectancy remains at 61 years, according to the National Health Strategy Performance Report for 2021-2024 presented to Cabinet Tuesday.
ZAMBIA: Drought Emergency in Zambia - Child Marriage, HIV and Hunger On the Rise for Women and Girls
SOUTHERN PROVINCE, Zambia – “They don’t have any food, and the teenagers can become vulnerable,” said nurse Suvannah Sinakaaba, in the village of Hakankula in Zambia’s Monze District. “HIV rates are quite high among adolescents; some engage in sexual activities with fishermen because they want [financial] help.”
The Lilongwe District Council has expressed concern over the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases in the district.
Pennsylvania – Former Wife of the late Public Works Minister Mobutu Vlah Nyenpan has Graduated with two distinct Master’s Degrees in an Unprecedented Academic feat. Lois Nimley Nyenpan, now happily married to Alascal Yii Wisner, is formally known as Lois Nimley Wisner.
Reacting to the signing into law of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 on 2 July by President Julius Maada Bio, Samira Daoud, Amnesty International Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said:
Addis Abeba – A large demonstration was held today in Mekelle by women demanding an end to violence against women in the region. The protesters called for justice for victims of sexual violence, kidnappings, and other abuses.
Semhal Kid, one of the organizers, told Addis Standard that women and girls have been enduring these atrocities “at the hands of various fighting forces” and continue to face threats. “We are demanding an end to the continued injustice,” Semhal added.
Birikti Hailu, another participant, emphasized the lasting physical and psychological trauma inflicted on victims. She argued that society has failed to protect women and called for an end to the ongoing violence.
The demonstrators gathered at Romanat Sequer in Mekelle and marched to the office of the Tigray Interim Administration. While they were unable to meet with Getachew Reda, president of the Tigray Interim Administration, the head of the regional justice bureau, Hadush Tesfa, listened to their demands.
Hadush acknowledged the ongoing struggle for women’s safety, stating, “Your presence here condemning violence against women amplifies the need for continued action.”
He condemned the recent violence against Tigrayan women, calling it “a reprehensible act with no place in a society that values justice.”
Hadush emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing this critical issue, stating it demands immediate attention. “We will work towards maintaining law and order and bringing perpetrators to justice,” he added.
A similar demonstration was also held in Adigrat town this morning. Protesters called for an end to the violence and for those responsible to be held accountable.
Adigrat’s mayor, Solomon Hagos, expressed his support for the demonstrators and condemned the violence.
He assured them that the city administration is working to bring criminals to justice and restore peace and order.
According to a report by Refugees International, cited by Addis Standard in April 2023, an estimated 40-50% of Tigrayan girls and women experienced gender-based violence during the war.
The report, based on extensive field research and interviews with victims and health workers in the Tigray region by Senior Fellow Sarah Miller, revealed a harrowing reality. Over 80% of these victims reported being raped, with nearly 70% experiencing brutal gang rape by armed groups. AS
Botswana Women Caucus in Politics (BWCP) has expressed concern over the low numbers of women contesting Parliamentary seats in the 2024 general elections and is hopeful that political party funding will change the fortune of female candidates to win more seats. In an interview on the acting president of BWCP, Rhoda Sekgororoane said if approved, the political party funding bill will attract more women candidates. She said one of the findings of a research conducted by Emang Basadi titled Mme Okae revealed that women are not contesting political office because of lack of funds, because the exercise is currently expensive.
Sixteen candidates vying for two seats reserved for female lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies to represent women in City of Kigali have pledged to advocate for women's rights and family promotion.
The commissioner noted that northern Nigeria, including Zamfara State, had a record of 70 per cent of maternal deaths in Nigeria.
The commissioner noted that northern Nigeria, including Zamfara State, had a record of 70 per cent of maternal deaths in Nigeria.