There is a direct correlation between the security of women and the overall security of state, its predilection to conflict, and war, according to a new book titled Sex and World Peace.
Source: Daily Observer
Malawian President Joyce Banda has challenged African women to support female leadership in Africa in order to change the widely held perception that women are incapable of leading a country.
Separatist Tuareg rebels, Islamist armed groups, and Arab militias who seized control of northern Mali in April 2012 have committed numerous war crimes, including rape, use of child soldiers, and pillaging of hospitals, schools, aid agencies, and government buildings, Human Rights Watch said today. An Islamist armed group has summarily executed two men, amputated the hand of at least one other, carried out public floggings, and threatened women and Christians.
They are successful, intelligent and determined. And for many, Sarah Nafuna and Jane Mubanga Chinkusu are the role models and the source of inspiration for women pursuing a career in science.
As a result of a population of approximately 1.03 billion in 2011, and a growth rate of 24 million per annum, Africa's population is expected to double by 2050. It's because of this that agricultural advocates and companies have had to come up with several ways to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner as well as finding endigenous solutions to respond to agricultural challenges.
CASES of domestic violence throughout the country remain high despite several interventions to stop perpetrators from committing the offence, a recent national survey has revealed.
Source: AllAfrica
Prospects of Zimbabwe's economic recovery will remain shaky until the country's political situation stabilises, a prominent South African-based human rights activist, Eleanor Sisulu has said.
The first female President of the Republic of Malawi, Joyce Hilda Banda, over the weekend paid a two-day visit in Liberia for what she described as 'consultation' with her female counterpart; President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. During her visit in the country, President Banda, who was accompanied by her husband, Richard Banda praised the Liberian leader for the level of development and stability in the country. President Banda pointed out that Africa is not a poor continent, in that it has all of the resources that could be used positively to make life more meaningful for its people.
International human rights experts say the armed groups occupying northern Mali have committed war crimes, including rape and using children as combatants. And there is evidence of crimes by Malian soldiers too.Human Rights Watch says separatist Tuareg rebels and other armed groups who have taken over northern Mali have abducted and raped women and girls, used children as combatants, and - in rampant looting - robbed communities of their very means of survival.
Mogadishu, 26 April 2012 – A group of ten journalists, members of the Network for Peace and Security in Africa (NetPeace) arrived in Mogadishu on 26 of April 2012 for a four-day field visit to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). This field trip is aimed at further acquainting the media with the mandate and role of AMISOM on the ground, as well as the daily life of the troops in their endeavor to stabilize the country and set the basis for a deep-rooted peace.
Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch says it’s not clear that political transitions in Arab nations will advance rights of women and girls.
Source: United States Department of State
Despite the challenges of promoting human rights and democracy around the world and overcoming cultural differences that can present obstacles to that effort, the importance of democratic values and universal human rights is "absolutely paramount" to U.S. foreign policy, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told students at Syracuse University in New York.
Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika died of a heart attack suddenly this month, enabling Vice President Joyce Banda to succeed the helm. This will almost certainly change – and perhaps save – the lives of millions of Malawian women.
Source: Al-Arabiya
Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW) has appealed to the Islamist-dominated parliament not to approve two controversial laws on the minimum age of marriage and allowing a husband to have sex with his dead wife within six hours of her death according to a report in an Egyptian newspaper.
Source: IRIN
lack of awareness of the importance of skilled hospital deliveries in Ethiopia, cultural beliefs, and transport challenges in rural areas are causing a high number of deaths during childbirth, say officials.
Source: The Zimbabwean
Zimbabwe’s new constitution will provide for a Gender and Equality Commission aimed at dealing with women’s rights, a deputy minister has said. In an interview with The Zimbabwean, Women’s Affairs deputy Minister Jessie Majome said this would protect vulnerable groups.
A critical analysis of different ‘solutions’ to improve the situation for rural women in Africa within the context of an iniquitous global food system.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication, on Thursday called on l stakeholders to develop policies and strategies to ensure that women are integrated into employment sector at all levels of responsibility.
UNITED NATIONS - Threats to international peace and security from illicit cross-border trafficking in drugs, weapons, terrorists and people have increased as the world has become more interconnected, the United Nations Security Council said on Wednesday.
Joyce Banda’s swearing in as president of Malawi this month made her the second female head of state in Africa - following Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s election victory in Liberia in 2005. Many see this as a key advance for women on a continent that has been dominated by male political figures.