Source: IPS Gender Wire
Following another Islamist landslide in the second round of legislative polling, Egypt's first post-Mubarak parliament will likely see Islamist parties - especially the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) - calling the shots. While high-profile secular figures warn of looming "theocracy", many local analysts believe an Islamist-led parliament won't make any radical legislative changes.
Young leaders from 38 African countries have pledged to act as role models for their fellow youths by “protecting ourselves, our partners and families from HIV, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, harmful practices and gender-based violence which negatively affect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people.”
Armed rebel groups active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) derive their funds from several sources, notably trade in natural resources, but also ordinary commerce and illegal taxation, according to a report by a United Nations group of experts unveiled today.
Less than two centuries ago, women had no legal existence apart from their husbands even in the Western world. Less than one century ago, women had no political rights in most countries. Even half a century ago, even in the most developed countries of today women faced severe discrimination in many areas of life, including in the labour market.
Shakers and Movers: 2011 has put a number of women all over the world in the spotlight and they stood out for all sorts of reasons. Below we shun and applaud some women.
Source: Women E-News
Profiles of seven outstanding women leaders dedicated to improving lives of women and girls: Carol Jenkins, Ida B. Wells Award, Elizabeth Colton, Pat Mitchell, Deborah Santana, Deborah Tolman, Beverly Willis, Monica Winsor
Source: Daily Trust
Kano — Often times, mothers tend to exercise undue authority in the house by dictating everything that goes there. They are the ones in charge of deciding the shopping list and the kitchen menu. The daughters are only charged with cooking and serving the food. This tradition of mothers dictating what goes on in the home is posing an enormous challenge to the daughters when they finally leave home to their matrimonial abode.
Source: Africa Renewal
Over the past 10 years, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has launched a number of bold and innovative programmes. In some instances the plan is already scoring notable yet underreported gains. Africa Renewal highlights NEPAD’s impact in five key areas.
A delegation from Abyei yesterday demanded that women of Abyei should also benefit from the 25% women representation in the South Sudan
Source: Daily Monitor
I thought the Girl Power conference 2011 would be about preaching and more preaching but this wasn’t the case. The conference that ran with the theme, To Live or not to Leave was dedicated to all the people that are currently living with HIV. The conference took place on Tuesday, 20 December at the Rubaga Centre.
Source: The Herald Online
The Adult Rape Clinic in Harare says 16 percent of victims in rape cases it has handled this year tested HIV-positive. ARC said the statistics were of cases that were handled by Harare courts, but only accounted for those aged 16 years and above.
Source: The Herald Online
The uptake of the female condom remains low compared to male condoms as women fail to negotiate safe sex, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council says.
Source: NY Times
The girl's voice dropped to a hush as she remembered the bright, sunny afternoon when she stepped out of her hut and saw her best friend buried in the sand, up to her neck.
Source: AllAfrica
At the Malaria Forum hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in October, the latest findings on what is currently the most viable malaria vaccine candidate in medical history, known as RTS,S, were announced.
Source: This Day Live
In a rare show of compassion and commitment to the plight of women, children and Persons With Disabilities, the Jigawa State House of Assembly has convened a special sitting to receive the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, who was on an Advocacy Visit to the state to canvass for support and partnership on issues affecting the mandate of her Ministry.
Source: Daily Nation
The government is well on the way to achieving gender parity at primary school level, Education Minister Prof Sam Ongeri has said.
Source: Shabait.com
Female enrollment in schools is registering growth in Hamelmalo sub-zone as a result of enhanced popular awareness, according to reports.
Source: EOHR
The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) welcomes the decision of the Administrative Court of the State Council, on December 27, 2011, for the lasuit no. 45029, year 2011, concerning stopping conducting the virginity test for the detained Egyptian girls.
Source: Garowe Online
The Ministry of Women held a meeting to support the Garowe Principles which was signed in Garowe on the 24th December 2011at the end of the Somali National Consultative Constitutional Conference, Radio Garowe reports.
Source: Daily Trust
The President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) Dr Fred Achem has stressed the role of men in effective family planning practices in Nigeria.