Source: IPS
The 11 candidates contesting presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo all pledge to improve peace and security in the country - promises received with varying degrees of scepticism by Congolese voters.
Source: allAfrica.com
Girls who complete their education are likely to have fewer children than their girls who leave during primary school, according to various studies. "When you educate a woman, you educate a nation," says Kalunde, whose foster child was thrown out of her rural school and her home after becoming pregnant.
Deteriorating security, a culture of impunity and an increase in attacks on internally displaced people (IDPs) in the central Somali town of Galkayo, Mudug region, have resulted in a sharp increase in rape cases, gender activists told IRIN.
The Maputo Protocol is a ground-breaking women’s rights legal instrument that expands and reinforces the rights provided in other human rights instruments. The Protocol provides a broad range of economic and social welfare rights for women. Importantly it was produced by Africans and pays attention to the concerns of African women.
Global efforts to attain gender equality and empower women seem to be failing, with a new study indicating that more people in developing countries approve the beating of women.
The President of World Bank, Bob Zoellick, has praised Rwanda's efforts to economically empower women.
Source: The Mail & Guardian
For 15 years Thato Serite has made her living as a prostitute along Botswana's busiest highway, hired by truckers plying the main route to South Africa.
Source: allAfrica.com
Benin — APART from Libya where an all female soldiers were said to have provided security for slain Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi, in Edo State, it has become a common sight by commuters seeing female drivers at the State owned Edo Intra-City bus, otherwise known as the "COMRADE BUS".
Source: allAfrica.com
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was confirmed the victor of a run-off poll boycotted by the opposition, and vowed to reach out to her opponents and reconcile the divided nation.
Deputy Chief Justice of Kenya’s Supreme Court Nancy Baraza, who made history as the first woman appointed to the post, has begun overhauling the country’s judiciary.
Source: All Africa
El Geneina — Renowned women's activist Safa Al Aqib tells Radio Dabanga that Darfur won't flourish without uplifting women
Source: The Chronicle
Thousands of women were last Friday taken through an extensive breast cancer screening exercise at Bechem, in the Tano South district, as part of this year's Breast Cancer Awareness celebration.
Source: Vanguard
President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered immediate evacuation of no fewer than 100 Nigerians trafficked out of Nigeria who are now stranded in Mali.
Ethiopian woman entrepreneur, Samrawit Moges, was honored, as one of a 100 women from across the globe, with inspirational achievements. The award, organized by The International Alliance for Women, was held in Washington DC on the 27th of October.
Source: Atlantic Monthly
As wars become less about states and more about societies, women can play a greater role in shaping or ending conflicts. So why do we still think of war as inherently male?
RURAL women have come out tops in justifying any form of violence perpetrated against them by their husbands, an indication that cultural beliefs are still strongly linked to domestic violence despite having the Domestic Violence Act in place, the recently published Multiple Indicator Monitoring Survey 2009 has revealed.
The U.S. hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future, is improving the lives of smallholder farmers by increasing food production, improving nutrition, expanding access to markets, and boosting incomes. Many of the farmers are women, who play vital roles in agriculture and food security.
Leaders and diplomats from nine African countries, Haiti and several international organizations gathered in Rwanda this week to devise ways to build lasting peace in countries ravaged by war for decades.
The pro-democracy movement has toppled some dictatorial regimes and left others hanging on a cliff in the Arab world. A large part of the credit for its success goes to women of the region who spoke out for change, explains Indeevar Goodwill.
Innocents worldwide continue to be deliberately violated, Secretary-General says during Security Council open debate on civilian protection. Human Rights Commissioner, Assistant Secretary-General Among Speakers Stressing Need for Accountability, Redress for Victims.