Blog

Through this blog MEWC hopes to provide a platform for  African women and other individuals interested in women’s rights issues in Africa to share their views and opinions on the human rights status of women in Africa.

MEWC is looking for individuals who are eager to share their views, ideas, and/or personal stories on the MEWC Blog. Click here to find out more.

Disclaimer: Opinions and ideas expressed in the blog do not necessarily reflect the position of MEWC. 

SOURCE: Dabanga Sudan

At least 229 cases of enforced disappearances have been documented, particularly impacting women in the region, since fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, according to a post on social media by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network on Friday.

SOURCE: Nigeria Health Watch

Maternal mental health is a critical yet often overlooked issue that affects the experience and quality of a woman’s health during the perinatal period — the period which includes pregnancy and up to two years following childbirth. Pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood can be quite challenging as they often result in significant changes to a woman’s physical well-being, appearance, and financial circumstances. Consequently, many women experience changes in their mental health which can have a negative impact on their general health and, as a result, the well-being of their infants and family.

SOURCE: New Era

The third annual Nedbank Women in Media conference, held in Windhoek last Saturday, united media professionals, dedicated to advancing women’s rights and gender equality. The event provided a platform for women in the industry to exchange ideas, collaborate and address the pressing issue of women’s voices being unheard in mainstream media.

Inspired by World Press Freedom Day, this year’s conference focused on empowering women to advocate for human and women’s rights. It highlighted the urgent need for greater gender equity within the media industry, despite Namibia’s reputation as a beacon of press freedom in Africa.

Helene Meintjes, Nedbank Namibia's marketing, brand, and sponsorship manager, encapsulated the event’s spirit by emphasizing the role of women in media beyond their professional capacity. She stated, “We are the voices for the vulnerable women in our communities, bearing the responsibility of advocating for those who cannot do so themselves”.

The conference highlighted the importance of representation and equitable opportunities for women. Jemima Beukes, the co-founder of ‘Women in Media’, underscored the need for women’s voices to be heard, stating, “We cannot create an equitable world if women are not represented”.

The event attracted professionals from various media spheres, including journalists, lawmakers, and corporate communication experts. 

Through panel discussions and interactive sessions, participants shared their experiences and insights, addressing challenges such as discrimination, gender bias, and limited career opportunities faced by women in the industry.

Keynote speaker Emilia Nghikembua, CEO of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, shared her journey and encouraged women in media to seize opportunities and challenge limitations. 

Limba Mupetami, the conference co-founder, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and mentorship.

The conference showcased the growing momentum behind the movement. Various entities committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment, including Nedbank Namibia, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the European Union, and Coca-Cola supported the event. 

SOURCE: New Era

The third annual Nedbank Women in Media conference, held in Windhoek last Saturday, united media professionals, dedicated to advancing women’s rights and gender equality. The event provided a platform for women in the industry to exchange ideas, collaborate and address the pressing issue of women’s voices being unheard in mainstream media.

Inspired by World Press Freedom Day, this year’s conference focused on empowering women to advocate for human and women’s rights. It highlighted the urgent need for greater gender equity within the media industry, despite Namibia’s reputation as a beacon of press freedom in Africa.

Helene Meintjes, Nedbank Namibia's marketing, brand, and sponsorship manager, encapsulated the event’s spirit by emphasizing the role of women in media beyond their professional capacity. She stated, “We are the voices for the vulnerable women in our communities, bearing the responsibility of advocating for those who cannot do so themselves”.

The conference highlighted the importance of representation and equitable opportunities for women. Jemima Beukes, the co-founder of ‘Women in Media’, underscored the need for women’s voices to be heard, stating, “We cannot create an equitable world if women are not represented”.

The event attracted professionals from various media spheres, including journalists, lawmakers, and corporate communication experts. 

Through panel discussions and interactive sessions, participants shared their experiences and insights, addressing challenges such as discrimination, gender bias, and limited career opportunities faced by women in the industry.

Keynote speaker Emilia Nghikembua, CEO of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, shared her journey and encouraged women in media to seize opportunities and challenge limitations. 

Limba Mupetami, the conference co-founder, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and mentorship.

The conference showcased the growing momentum behind the movement. Various entities committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment, including Nedbank Namibia, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the European Union, and Coca-Cola supported the event. 

SOURCE: Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation

The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula is marked annually on 23 May. It is a day to draw attention to the devastating injury caused during obstructed labor, which continues to impact the lives of tens of thousands of women in Ethiopia.

SOURCE: THE NEW TIMES

The survey by the Institution of Engineers Rwanda (IER) recommended capacity-building and awareness to ensure that employers have an understanding of gender equality.

Par Mariam Barry

Scroll down for the English version.

Connu depuis l’antiquité, l’esclavage consistait à priver un individu de sa liberté, elle fonctionnait donc que sous la contrainte, la violence et réduisait les victimes au rang de marchandise négociable.

L’Organisation Internationale du Travail (OIT), estime que l’esclavage contemporain touche aujourd’hui plus de 40 millions de personnes à travers le monde. Et plus de 70% des victimes sont des femmes, le plus souvent en Afrique subsaharienne, à travers les exploitations sexuelles, les mariages forcés et précoces.

See the English language version of this article here.

Suite à l'appel à candidatures de Make Every Woman Count pour notre concours de la Journée panafricaine de la femme pour 2022, nous avons reçu des contributions réfléchies et créatives de tout le continent. MEWC a annoncé les lauréates lors de notre célébration virtuelle le 28 juillet. Félicitations à tous les participants pour leurs contributions innovantes et variées sur le thème de "l'inclusion financière et économique des femmes africaines" ! Vous n'avez pas rendu la tâche facile à nos six juges pour sélectionner les gagnants des première, deuxième et troisième places. MEWC est fier de présenter les dix meilleures contributions sur son blog et ses réseaux sociaux afin de poursuivre les célébrations et les discussions importantes au cours de la semaine à venir.

Pour la version française de cet article, cliquez ici.


Following Make Every Woman Count’s call for submissions for our Pan-African Women's Day Contest for 2022, we received thoughtful and creative entries from across the continent. MEWC announced the awardees during our virtual celebration on the 28th of July. Congratulations to all entrants for their innovative and diverse submissions on the theme of ‘Financial and Economic Inclusion of African Women’! You did not make it easy for our six judges to select the first, second and third place winners. MEWC proudly showcases the top ten submissions on our blog and social media to continue the celebrations and important discussions over the coming week.

One of the world’s most comprehensive and progressive women’s human rights instruments, the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) was adopted by Heads of State and Government in Maputo, Mozambique, 19 years ago today - on 11 July 2003.

Two of Make Every Woman Count's Research Fellow's reflect on this milestone: 

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