Stories
Monday, June 15, 2020
The passing of laws to end child marriage resulted in blocking thousands of child marriages and enabling second chance education for girls. However, these gains made over the years are in jeopardy in the age of COVID-19. In Malawi because of cases brought to court, child marriages were annulled, and girls had the opportunity to return to school. F ewer adolescents experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) compared with older generations. In Ethiopia, for instance, 47 per...
Fighting the shadow pandemic of violence against women and children during COVID19
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Alongside health impacts, the global COVID19 pandemic has brought a loss of liberties. Restrictions in movement have affected people’s jobs and livelihoods. Despite the many hardships being faced, freedom from violence cannot, under any circumstance, be surrendered – the right to live free from violence is a basic human right. Yet the most vulnerable members of society including children, women, persons with disabilities, the elderly – are suffering during...
Protection of Women and Girls with Disabilities during COVID-19: A Priority!
Friday, May 8, 2020
Despite the wide adoption of international, regional, and national instruments guaranteeing the rights of women and girls with disabilities, significant gaps remain in their implementation, highlights the UN Women Study on 'Mapping of Discrimination Faced by Women with Disabilities in East & Southern Africa Region'.
Op-ed: Beijing+25 Generational Shift
Monday, August 12, 2019
Almost 25 years ago, over 50,000 women and men from all over the world gathered in Beijing and took a stand to advance the goals of equality, development and peace for all women and girls everywhere. 189 governments committed to taking strategic, bold action in 12 critical areas of concern: poverty, education and training, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment, and the girl child. A milestone for the...
A Toolbox for Women Entrepreneurs in COMESA
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The COMESA Free Trade Area agreement will not deliver sustainable economic and social progress unless women are empowered and enabled to navigate the complex procedures involved. This is where the first elements in our toolbox lie for women entrepreneurs – literacy and numeracy, computer skills and legal knowledge.