Gender Equality
Notre invité: Yuval Noah Harari : «Chaque crise est aussi une opportunité»
Pour un nouveau pacte social en Amérique latine
Baisse des revenus, abandon scolaire, développement du travail informel, hausse brutale du chômage : les conséquences sociales de la crise sanitaire sur les habitants de la région Amérique latine et Caraïbes ont été massives. Pour éviter un creusement des inégalités, Karina Batthyány plaide en faveur de la mise en place d’un système social plus solidaire et plus juste.
La crise sanitaire, terreau fertile de la désinformation
Le thé noir, les feuilles de margousier ou la soupe au poivre comme remèdes miracles au Covid-19 : en Afrique comme ailleurs, fausses informations et théories du complot ont prospéré sur les réseaux sociaux pendant la crise sanitaire. Pour lutter contre cette « infodémie », il faut responsabiliser les plateformes numériques, traquer les infox et développer une éducation aux médias.
Les populations autochtones à l’épreuve de la crise
La crise sanitaire qui a frappé le monde a mis en lumière la capacité de résilience de certaines communautés autochtones. Elle a surtout révélé la fragilité de ces populations que la pauvreté, la malnutrition et un faible accès aux soins rendent particulièrement vulnérables aux maladies infectieuses.
How business can help us meet the global goals
We are all women!
Zoom: Carnets de voyages immobiles
Isolement, perte de revenu, charges domestiques écrasantes : les femmes photographes ont subi de plein fouet les effets du confinement imposé pour endiguer la pandémie de Covid-19. Face à cette situation inédite, elles sont plus de 400 à s’être réunies au sein d’un projet collaboratif unique, The Journal, né spontanément à la mi-mars suite à un appel lancé sur Facebook par la communauté Women Photograph. Depuis 2017, ce réseau qui compte plus de 1 000 membres répartis dans une centaine de pays s’est donné pour vocation d’augmenter la présence des femmes photographes dans les médias.
A new strategy to address gender inequality
Пандемия: отражение нашей уязвимости
Социальное неравенство, гендерное насилие, плохие жилищные условия, неэффективность систем здравоохранения: пандемия коронавируса обнажила уязвимые места нашего общества. Чтобы изменить мир к лучшему, нам нужно заняться глубинными проблемами, которые до сих пор остаются нерешенными.
Настало время переосмыслить образование
По данным ЮНЕСКО, в результате пандемии 90 % всех учащихся в мире, то есть около полутора миллиардов человек, лишились возможности посещать учебные заведения. Школам и вузам в одночасье пришлось перейти на дистанционное обучение и изыскивать новые методы преподавания.
Confronting violence against women
How have women confronted the scourge of gender-based violence? What pathways, strategies and actions have they evolved to defend their bodily integrity and build coalitions and alliances for justice and gender equality? What has worked well and why, and how can their efforts be supported and scaled up?
Women in politics the fight to end violence against women
Despite the remarkable progress of women in many professions, politics is not one of them. Indeed, around the world, women have been conspicuous by their absence in decision and policy making in government. When the United Nations First World Conference on Women was held in Mexico City in 1975, the international community was reminded that discrimination against women remained a persistent problem in many countries; and even though governments were called upon to develop strategies to promote the equal participation of women, political participation was not yet identified as a priority. Since then, though there has been an increasing focus on women’s representation and their impact on decision-making structures, the increased attention did not reflect in immediate results. For example, in 1975 women accounted for 10.9 per cent of parliamentarians worldwide; ten years later it increased by one mere percentage point to 11.9 percent.
Invisibles dans les médias
Au XVIIIe siècle, le philosophe angloirlandais George Berkeley résumait sa théorie de l« immatérialisme » par la formule suivante : « être, cest être perçu ».
À quel moment perd-on son humanité?
J’ai une chance inouïe de voyager. Ces expériences ont été uniques et enrichissantes. Mais jamais un voyage n’aura été aussi éprouvant que celui que j’ai fait en République démocratique du Congo (RDC) en 2009. Ce pays, qui est entouré de neuf pays différents, abrite plus de 200 groupes ethniques, représentant littéralement le coeur de l’Afrique. L’état d’urgence y a été décrété. Les différentes milices et les politiques complexes jouent un rôle dans la dévastation de la terre et de la population, mais personne ne souffre plus que les femmes et les jeunes filles. Des centaines de milliers de femmes ont été battues, torturées et violées des atrocités au-delà de tout ce que j’aurais pu imaginer.
Human trafficking Prevention, Prosecution and Protection
La vie des veuves…Un problème méconnu
Ayant été élevé par ma mère qui était veuve, j’ai fait l’expérience directe dans ma jeunesse de la souffrance qu’elle a subie. Lorsque mon père est mort, ma grand-mère a ordonné à ma mère de retirer ses bijoux, y compris sa bindi, et de ne jamais porter de vêtements de couleurs vives. J’étais alors trop jeune pour comprendre la portée de ces restrictions mais, à mon mariage, le prêtre hindou qui célébrait la cérémonie a demandé à ma mère de s’écarter de l’autel parce qu’étant veuve, elle porterait malheur aux jeunes mariés.
Time for solidarity with solidarity women of haiti
I will never forget the time an earthquake shook Dodoma in 2002 when I was a parliamentarian in my home country of Tanzania. I had no idea how to react to the tremors and instinctively ran outside. Though I was fortunate that the tremors caused minimal damage, they brought home to me in a deeply personal way just how fragile we are. The earthquake that devastated Haiti brought these memories back vividly, and my heart went out to my many colleagues and the people of Haiti who have been deeply affected.
Social protection for women
Periods of economic upheaval are always destabilizing and, as such, outcomes are uncertain. We are right now faced with a great danger and a great opportunity. The danger is that “recovery” efforts will favour those in positions of strength, reinforcing existing inequalities between and within countries. As this occurs, we will see existing disparities deepen, leading to social exclusion with grave social, economic and political repercussions. The opportunity is that leadership and bold policy action could reduce inequalities among countries and across gender lines.
Sexual violence as a war tactic security council resolution 1888: Next steps
At what point does one lose one’s humanity?
I have been incredibly blessed in my life to be able to travel. Seeing the world and its diversity first hand has been the greatest teacher, and never have I learned a more difficult lesson then when I visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2009. The DRC, bordered by nine different countries, is home to over 200 ethnic groups, making it literally the heart of Africa. This country is in a state of emergency. Various militias and complicated politics all play a part in the devastation of the land and the population, but no one is suffering more than the women and young girls. Hundreds of thousands of women and girls have been beaten, tortured and raped—atrocities beyond anything that I have ever heard of or could imagine.
A brief survey of women’s rights from 1945 to 2009
The story of the global struggle for women’s rights since 1945 is just beginning to be told. For a proper understanding of the continuities and changes in the struggle for women’s rights during this period, we need to go back to the League of Nations, the predecessor to the United Nations. In addition, we need to consider more fully the important role of what are now’ often called “traditional women’s organizations” in advancing women’s rights on the international level, at least until 1975.
Coronavirus as a burning glass for digital risks?
The digital space represents a global interaction and communication sphere for all people. In this sphere children connect with young people and adults across almost all countries, cultures and age groups. The constant improvement and implementation of automatic translation programs, for example in social media, also means that language barriers in the digital space are becoming increasingly blurred. This evolution, which is actually to be welcomed, promises at best the emergence of a kind of Internet-based global society, but it also presents a dark side. Criminology assumes that many forms of crime - regardless of the respective national criminal law - typically arise from interaction between people. There are few arguments to argue against the fact that this is not the case on the Internet - which actually makes it the first truly widespread and global crime scene in the world. Children, too, are a natural part of this educated global scene (or space) and are thus exposed to the digital forms of crime that go hand in hand with it. At the European level, children aged 9-16 spend an average of 167 minutes each day online (Smahel et al. 2019). In Germany alone, 97 percent of minors aged 12 and over use the Internet several times a week (Feierabend et al. 2020). Children are also intrinsically confronted with the digital risks of this area. These risks range from cybergrooming and sexual harassment in social media and online games, to the confrontation with extremism and violent content, to risks such as cyberbullying and stalking (cf. Bötticher 2020; Gabriel 2020; Rüdiger 2020). Almost 25 percent of children in the European Union who use the Internet have already reported having had at least one negative online experience in the past year (Smahel et al. 2019). The U-25 study from Germany even speaks of minors perceiving the Internet as a culture of injustice (Borchard et al. 2018).
Gender in the digital age: Exploring innovative practices and Women’s involvement
In our contemporary globalized world, women and adolescent girls in various countries across the globe continue to face constant hardships and obstacles, ranging from gender-based violence to prevalent gender inequalities and deeply rooted gendered socio-cultural norms, which hinder their emancipation and development and negatively impact the implementation of gender equality and rights. Despite these circumstances, different advancements, such as emerging innovative solutions and technologies, can play a significant role in relation to the development and empowerment of women in various sectors of society globally. It thus becomes ever more necessary to apply cross-cutting approaches, such as a critical gender lens and a rights-based approach1 to a wide range of development sectors and issue areas, including, but not limited to, education, political participation, and economic development, while considering, at the same time, the role that technology can have in these domains and analyzing its socio-cultural, global implications.
Evolution from a social animal to a virtual animal? using new tech and AI during and Post-COVID-19 crisis period
“Man is by nature a social animal” proclaimed Aristotle. This characteristic has made us organize into complex hierarchical societies where individuals are interdependent to satisfy basic necessities. Although we all know that social distancing is the most effective way to contain the spread of coronavirus, this is something biologically unnatural for humans.1 In this health emergency, many governments have decided to impose strict measures to limit social interactions to an absolute minimum. Lockdowns, limitations of movement of people and closure of borders have all been necessary measures for the good of societies.
“He for She”: The new wave of the cultural revolution
A patriarchal society confers the title of “breadwinners” on ‘him’ and bestows them with the responsibility to earn for the family. This confers another title on him as “head of the family” which thematically corresponds to “white man’s burden” as it creates an illusion that only men are capable of earning for the family. Unfortunately, the phrase “the father is the head of the family” is taught already as a lesson in pre-primary school thereby sowing the seeds of inequality in innocent minds. This illusion, born from the patriarchal mindset, laid the foundation for the socio-economic gender inequalities present today and is the root cause of intergenerational inequality faced by women.
Partner and domestic violence during the COVID-19 crisis
The global spread of COVID-19 has dramatically impacted our lives. In an effort to contain the virus, governments across the globe have resorted to social distancing, home lockdowns, and isolation policies. However, such measures can have a negative impact on people’s mental well-being, put pressure on their relationships and cause stress, thus potentially contributing to an increase in violence and aggression within households. A recent review of the psychological impact of quarantine measures confirms that isolation can produce several negative emotional effects, such as post-traumatic stress syndrome, emotion regulation problems, depression, and increased feelings of stress. Experiencing stress and powerlessness is associated with an increased risk of violent victimization. Perpetrator and victims often know each other. The combination of stress-inducing factors due to the lockdown and potentially living together with a perpetrator of violence may trigger an increase and worsening of various forms of violence within the household.
AESI promoted active dialogue among students on several topics of international relations in this pandemic period
Preparing young people for the diplomatic and international careers of today means facing the new international crises with an innovative and global vision that analyzes their real causes first and then provides adequate and effective responses over time. Furthermore, a greater synergy with international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) is needed. In this regard, the European Association of International Studies (AESI) usually organizes two missions in Geneva in coordination with the Italian Representation at the United Nations agencies. Unfortunately, the health emergency has not allowed this tradition to continue this year, but the liaison with the Director-General of the UN Agencies in Geneva, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, is still vigorous and the activities promoted by AESI for young university students are considered of great importance. Indeed, AESI is strongly convinced that only by investing in the new generations with innovative and global training, which envisage above all concrete contacts with international actors such as the UN and the European Union (EU), we can achieve a future of peace and promote a culture of solidarity. Furthermore, we believe that the interaction with young university students who are preparing for diplomatic and international careers can also enrich international organizations through a deeper understanding of young people’s perspectives, enhancing also their creative solutions to crises. The Director-General of the United Nations Agencies in Geneva illustrated in her Message to AESI what the priorities of this health emergency are, but she also encouraged the UN to listen to the new generations. She invited students to send them messages and contributions. The Director-General also expressed her wish to meet with the young AESI members in Geneva when it will be possible. The University will play a great role in the future, not only with respect to the international relations dimension, but above all with the involvement of young people in the process of renewing peace promotion strategies in crisis situations. The United Nations has discovered this great added value and for this we also thank the United Nations Director-General of Geneva.
Violent extremist offenders rehabilitation and reintegration in prison: A focus on the challenges and way forward in Mali
In his remarks to the High-level Meeting on Mali and the Sahel held on the margins of the General Debate of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, the Secretary General António Guterres acknowledged the increasing threat posed by the rise of violence in the Sahel and its spreading towards the Gulf of Guinea. He also warned about terrorist groups exploiting local conflicts and acting as defenders of communities to enhance their popularity and local support. As a matter of fact, countries in the Sahel region have been experiencing a significant increase in the level of violence, resulting in severe consequences for the population. According to Mohamed Ibn Chambas, UN Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the casualties caused by terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, have increased five-fold since 2016. The fragile circumstances and the deteriorating security situation have also pushed many people to flee their homes, with more than one million refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) sheltered in the central Sahel.
Domestic violence — the shadow pandemic of COVID19 Effects of policy measures on vulnerable population
To prevent the spread of Covid19, many governments have been taking strict measures such as closing borders, imposing nationwide lockdowns and setting up quarantine facilities. While these measures may ensure that social distancing is followed seriously, they may have indirect effects on the economy and adverse effects on the well-being of people, especially the vulnerable population.
COVID-19 pandemic and illicit drugs
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, no clear evidence has emerged of a significant decrease in the supply of drugs at the global level, including in Italy, even after the quarantine was extended to the entire country.
الكتابة النسائية، بريق ضياء في ليلة ظلماء
نوكيس .هانفرع يذلا ملاعلا نع افلتخم نوكيس مداقلا ملاعلا لوقت اذكه .ةيحلا سانجلأل اماترحا رثكأو ،لوهجملل اريدقت رثكأ.غنيم غنوي ياشت ةرعاشلا
المتاحف: سلاح الصمود عن طريق الفنّ
نفلاب انتلاص فيرعت ةداعإو روهمجلا لابقتساب ةطبترلما ةديدجلا تاهاركلإا مامأ ،ملاعلا في ىرخلأا تاسّسؤلما نم ديدعلا لثم هلثم ،كرويوينب زنيوك فحتم ىعسي ،ةفاقثلاو ينّبرُلماو يننانفلا عضت ةلماش ةبراقم في يركفتلاو ،فحاتلما نم ديدج جذومن طابنتسا لىإ.هتطشنأ بلق في ناكّسلاو
الأزمة الصحية مرتع خِصب للتضليل الإعلامي
ترهظ يتلا ةيبئاجعلا يرقاقعلا نم ضعب كلت ،لفلفلا ءاسح ،”مينلا“ قاروأ ،دوسلأا ياشلا ،ةيحصلا ةمزلأا هذه ّلظ في ،تشرتنا ثيح ،19 ـ ديفوك جلاعل نكاملأا نم اهيرغو ايقيرفإ في ءابو“ ةحفاكلمو .يعامتجلاا لصاوتلا تاكبش برع ةرماؤلما تايرظنو ةفئازلا تامولعلما رابخلأا راشتنلا يدصّتلا في اهتايلوؤسم لّمحت ةيمقرلا تاّصنلما لىع ّيينعتي ،اذه ”تامولعلما.ةيملاعلإا ةيارّدلا ةيمنتو ةفئازلا
تحليل: أزمة تعليم غير مسبوقة
الجائحة، مرآةٌ لهشاشة أوضاعنا
يتلا خوّششرلاو تاعّدصتلا نع راتّسلا ةيحصلا ةمزلأا تحازأ دقل نكس فورظو ،سنجلا لىع مئاق فنع نم ،انتاعمتجم ّقشت ،ملاعلا اذه يريغت اندرأ ام اذإو .ةيحصلا ةمظنلأا فعضو ،ةيرزم.نلآا ىتح اهتهجاوم نم نّكمتن مل يتلا تايّدحتلا عفرن نأ انيلعف
الشعوب الأصلية أمام محنة الأزمة
ةيلصلأا ةيلحلما تاعمتجلما ضعب ةردق ةيلماعلا ةيحصلا ةمزلأا تزربأ ام ردقب هذه ناكس ىدل ةشاشهلا نطاوم لىع ،صوصخلاب ،تفشك ،دومصلا لىع ءوسو ،رقف نم هنوناعي ام ءاّرج ةيدعلما ضارملأل نوضرعتي نيذلا تاعمتجلما .ةيحصلا ةياعرلا لئاسو نم ةدافتسا ةّلقو ،ةيذغت
ضيفنا: يوفال نوح هراري: “كل أزمة هي أيضاً فرصة”
من أجل عقد اجتماعي جديد في أمريكا اللاتينية
يبيراكلاو ةينيتلالا اكيرمأ ةقطنم ناكس لىع ةيحصلا ةمزلأل ةيعامتجلاا تايعادتلا تناك عاطقلا يمانت وأ ،ةسارّدلا نع عاطقنلاا وأ ،يدرفلا لخّدلا عجارت ثيح نم ءاوس ،ةميخو مدعو ةيعامتجلاا تاتوافتلا عاسّتا يدافت لجأ نمو .ةلاطبلل ّداحلا عافترلاا وأ ،يمسّرلا يرغ .ًلادع رثكأو ًانماضت رثكأ يعامتجا ماظن ةماقإ لىإ انايثتاب انيراك وعدت ،ةاواسلما
البحث العلمي: “هذا الوباء سيكون صاعقا”
نم فلاتئلاا ءاشنإب نيردابلما نم ةدحاو يه ،تفاغروو ـ بوترس لياتان ،ليربأ في ،هأشنأ فلاتئا وهو ،19 ـ ديفوك نأشب ةيريسرلا ثوحبلا لجأ رارقلا باحصأو ،ةحنالما تاهجلاو ،ءابطلأاو ،ةيملعلا تاسسؤلما نم ددع نادلبلا في يبطلا ثحبلاب ضوهنلا لجأ نم ،ًادلب 30 لياوح نم ،سيايسلا بسانتت ةيصوصخ ثوحب ءارجإ لىإ ةثحابلا هذه وعدتو .لخّدلا ةيندتلما.فيعّضلا لخدلا تاذ نادلبلا عاضوأ عم
La technologie, un outil deliberté pour les africaines
Les applications de mise en relation entre chauffeurs et passagers prolifèrent partout dans le monde et An Nisa Taxi, lancé l’année dernière au Kenya, est l’une des plus remarquables d’Afrique.
La liberté économique desfemmes profite à tous
Souhayata Haidara est fonctionnaire et aime décrire sa vie dans une société patriarcale. Sa carrière est d’ailleurs un exemple de patience et de persévérance, confie-t-elle.
Préparer les diplômés africains aux emplois d’aujourd’hui
Les mégalopoles attirent les investisseurs
Les mégapoles, ces villes d’au moins 10 millions d’habitants, prolifèrent partout en Afrique. Le Caire en Égypte, Kinshasa en République Démocratique du Congo et Lagos au Nigeria sont déjà des mégalopoles, tandis que Luanda en Angola, Dar es Salaam en Tanzanie et Johannesbourg en Afrique du Sud atteindront ce statut, d’ici 2030.
Musique africaine: aller-retour cotonou-la havane
Dimanche soir à Aba House, un bar en plein air de Lomé, la capitale togolaise : d`élégants jeunes gens en tenues africaines modernes occupent la piste de danse tandis que le bassiste accélère le tempo. Puissance et émotion sont au rendez-vous.
Mécaniser et transformer l’agriculture en afrique
Une femme avec une houe à la main est le symbole par défaut de l’agriculture en Afrique, selon Calestous Juma, universitaire africain et ancien professeur à la Harvard Kennedy School. M. Juma employait cette image pour donner une idée du dur labeur agricole auquel sont confrontées les femmes sur le continent.
Pas de véritable développement en afrique sans intégration régionale - Entretien: Ahunna Eziakonwa,
Ahunna Eziakonwa, Sous-Secrétaire générale des Nations Unies, est la nouvelle Directrice du Bureau régional pour l’Afrique du Programme des Nations Unies pour le développement (PNUD). Mme Eziakonwa a été coordonnatrice résidente de l’ONU en Éthiopie, en Ouganda et au Lesotho. Dans l’entretien qu’elle a accordé à Kingsley Ighobor pour Afrique Renouveau, elle aborde des questions clés touchant au développement socio-économique de l’Afrique, notamment les questions de l’autonomisation des femmes et des jeunes et de la zone africaine de libre-échange, qui devrait entrer en vigueur dans les prochains mois. En voici des extraits.
Un traité contre l’impunitédes entreprises
Lorsque le diplomate équatorien Luis Gallegos proposa pour la première fois un « Traité juridiquement contraignant sur les entreprises et les droits humains », de nombreux pays et activistes environnementaux saluèrent l’initiative.
La jeunesse peut conduire l’Afrique vers lavenir - Entretien: Aya Chebbi, Envoyée de l’UA pour la jeunesse
Aya Chebbi, une Tunisienne, est la toute première envoyée de l’Union africaine pour la jeunesse. Sa nomination en novembre 2018 renforce les efforts de l’UA visant à intégrer les talents et les compétences de la population jeune en croissance du continent pour la réalisation de son Agenda 2063, un cadre pour la transformation socio-économique de l’Afrique. Mme Chebbi devrait promouvoir, entre autres, le leadership et la participation des jeunes à la gouvernance, l’égalité des sexes, la migration sans danger, l’emploi et la lutte contre le changement climatique. Raphael Obonyo, un jeune activiste, a interviewé Mme Chebbi.
L’industrie bovine zimbabwéenne renaît de ses cendres
La célèbre industrie bovine du Zimbabwe, qui s’est effondrée dans les années 2000 à la suite de l’épidémie de fièvre aphteuse, est en train de rebondir.
Une bonne éducation, base duleadership féminin
L’accès limité des Africaines à une éducation de qualité, aux connaissances et aux ressources les empêche d’obtenir des postes à responsabilités sur le continent, explique Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, une militante des droits des femmes en Afrique de l’Ouest. Un autre problème est que les femmes – en particulier en zones rurales – ont un contrôle limité des finances, des moyens de productions et des terres.
Les femmes en politique : un longchemin avant datteindre la parité
Dans la lutte pour l’égalité des sexes, les femmes du monde entier ont fait des progrès, petits et grands. Cependant, pour les Africaines, les progrès se mesurent en micro-avancées, et le chemin à parcourir est encore long.
Blanchiment de la peau : un lourd tribut
«J’ai la peau sombre depuis de nombreuses années mais je voulais savoir quel effet cela pouvait faire d’être blanche et je suis heureuse », dit la chanteuse sud-africaine Mshoza, dont le vrai nom est Nomasonto Mnisi.
La jeune ministre ouvredes portes aux femmeset aux filles
Sur ses débuts, Bogolo Kenewendo parle d’une « enfance et d’une éducation botswanaises ordinaires ».
Economic empowerment of women good for all
Government staffer Souhayata Haidara enjoys talking about her life in a patriarchal society. Her career is a triumph of patience and perseverance, she tells Africa Renewal with a smile and a wink.
African music on a round trip—from cotonou to cuba and back
It’s Sunday night at Aba House, an open-air bar in Lomé, Togo’s capital, and stylish young men and women in modern African dress fill the dance floor as the bass guitarist pumps up the tempo. Powerful! Soulful!
No real development in africa without regional integration - Interview: Ahunna Eziakonwa
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa is the new Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Ms. Eziakonwa had served as the UN Resident Coordinator in Ethiopia, Uganda and Lesotho. In this interview with Africa Renewal’s Kingsley Ighobor, she discusses key issues pertaining to Africa’s socioeconomic development, including the empowerment of women and youth and Africa’s free trade area, which entered into force in April. These are excerpts.
Young people can capably lead africa into the future - Interview: Aya Chebbi, African Union Youth Envoy
Aya Chebbi of Tunisia is the first-ever youth envoy of the African Union. Her appointment in November 2018 boosts the AU’s efforts to include the talents and skills of the continent’s bulging youth population in achieving its Agenda 2063, a framework for Africa’s socioeconomic transformation. Ms. Chebbi is expected to promote, among other issues, youth leadership and participation in governance, gender equality, safe migration, employment and climate change action. Raphael Obonyo, a youth activist, interviewed Ms. Chebbi for Africa Renewal on a range of issues affecting Africa’s young people. These are excerpts.
Youthful minister opening doors for women and girls
Bogolo Kenewendo describes herself as having been “an ordinary Botswana child with an ordinary upbringing.” Ms. Kenewendo, poised and focused beyond her years, is being modest. At 32 she is Botswana’s youngest minister, in charge of investment, trade and industry.
Mechanizing agricultureis key to food security
An African woman with hoe in hand is the default symbol of agriculture in Africa, according to the late Calestous Juma, African academic and former Harvard Kennedy School professor. Mr. Juma used that image to convey the drudgery-filled farming that women on the continent face.
Countries propose a treaty to end corporate impunity
When Ecuadorian diplomat Luis Gallegos first proposed a “Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights,” many countries and environmental activists welcomed the idea with open arms.
Good education is the foundation for effective female leadership
African women’s restricted access to quality education, knowledge and resources is preventing them from gaining leadership positions on the continent, says Kafui Adjamagbo-Johnson, a veteran West African women’s rights activist. Another problem is that women—especially rural women—are allowed only limited control over finances, means of production and land.
Paying a high price for skin bleaching
“I’ve been dark skinned for many years and I wanted to experience the other side. I wanted to see what it would be like to be white and I’m happy,” says South African singer Mshoza, whose real name is Nomasonto Mnisi.
African women in politics: Miles to go before parity is achieved
In the fight for gender equality, women around the world have advanced in small and large ways. Yet for women in Africa, progress is measured in micro steps, and the struggle has a long way to go.
Technology is a liberating force for african women
As ride-hailing apps proliferate the globe, the year-old An Nisa Taxi in Kenya is one of the standouts in Africa.
Zimbabwe’s beef industry stampedes back to life
Zimbabwe’s famed beef industry, which collapsed in the 2000s following outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, is now rebounding.
Africa’s megacities a magnet for investors
Megacities, cities with a population of at least 10 million, are sprouting everywhere in Africa. Cairo in Egypt, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lagos in Nigeria are already megacities, while Luanda in Angola, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Johannesburg in South Africa will attain the status by 2030, according the United Nations.
Preparing africa’s graduates for today’s
Many Africans with advanced qualifications are finding their university degrees are just not enough to land a job in the current market.
“Women are the unsung heroes of this crisis”
The health crisis, and the subsequent widespread lockdowns worldwide, have led to a surge in violence against women. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, warns that women’s rights could be diminished as a result of the pandemic.
Women’s writing: Illuminating the darkness
The world after the pandemic will be different from the one that we’ve always known. It will be more benevolent towards the unknown, and more respectful towards living species, predicts one of China’s best-known contemporary poets.
Ideas: The microbes and viruses that made history
Epidemics and pandemics are not new phenomena. Leprosy, plague, cholera and smallpox have all left their deadly mark on human history. They have also led humans to question themselves, and often result in positive change.
Zoom: Lockdown travel diaries
Isolation, loss of income, crushing domestic burdens – women photographers have been hit hard by the lockdown imposed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with this unprecedented situation, more than 400 women photographers have come together in a unique collaborative project, The Journal – which started spontaneously in mid-March 2020, following a call on Facebook by the Women Photograph community.
Sapere Aude: A social mentorship project which uses education to promote social justice for children and young people living in the public care system
With the adoption of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its relevant Goals (SDGs) in 2015, the United Nations with Goal 4 renewed its mission for better education of children and young people worldwide. While the earlier Millennium Development Goals focused on access to primary education, the 2030 Agenda goes beyond this. With Goal 4 and its focus on quality education, the international community recognizes that learning goals in themselves are not enough – it is important to aim for both the quality of education as well as the social and emotional well-being of students, in order to achieve substantial learning outcomes.
Youth: International law on the recruitment of children
The recruitment of children raises many important questions, the most important being whether children should be recruited at all and what is the definition of a child. The most internationally accepted definition for a child soldier is established in the Cape Town Principles 1997 by UNICEF: “any person under 18 years of age who is part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force or armed group in any capacity.”1 However, this is not a legal definition.
Infocus: Who is susceptible to the call of political violence? A study of differential susceptibility and situational resistance to exposure to online violent extremism
Youth: Why collaborative communities are the future of youth empowerment and education
Companies around the globe are finding it difficult to recruit the right talent, especially for emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). A recent survey by EY and MIT Technology Review1 showed that 48% of current challenges comes in emerging technologies from a shortage of skilled talent while on the other hand, the number of data scientists and machine learning engineers has increased tenfold in the last five years, primarily due to access to online education.
Infocus: Obligation to investigate, minimum investigative standards under article 2 of the ECHR, and their applicability to Post-conflict situations
A more humane approach to addressing the harm of criminal behaviour
In this paper, which is based upon research undertaken in 2017 and 2018,1 an alternative and more humane approach to addressing harm of criminal behaviour is presented. Our goal was to explore if this approach could transform the way society responds to crime.
Collective human action against deepfakes
For Immanuel Kant, our senses are the gate to perceive information from the environment and to generate our knowledge. Yet, in the age of advanced technology, our senses are easily becoming subject of manipulation. In such context, the fundamental question arises whether we, humans with manipulated sense, can continue relying on our own decision making. There has been an unprecedent progress in the quality of techniques for human image synthesis based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), which can manipulate our sense of sight. Deepfakes constitutes the most famous example of it. In just few years, many alarming examples of fake content have involved politicians, governments, technology leaders, and media celebrities. What does this mean for our future, the future of our societies and the future of our countries? What will this manipulation entail at the moment we exercise our rights as citizens and voters? Perhaps instead of jumping into the complexity of these questions, it is worth focusing on how our collective efforts can help us preventing technology from manipulating our senses. This consideration served as a guiding principal for the solution developed by the Open|DSE team in response to the UNICRI challenge at the Hackathon for Peace, Justice and Security (The Hague, June 2019). Before proceeding with the description of the solution, let’s have a closer look at the AI technology behind the creation of this fake content.
How to train professionals for managing the contradictions of a multiethnic society?
The society we live in is so diverse and mixed that we are no longer able to understand it only through traditional research perspectives. It is multiethnic and we often see that the stories shared in the public arena do not reflect what happens in everyday life.
Armed conflict and women 10 years of security council resolution 1325
IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR, the United Nations will commemorate the tenth anniversary of an important. Kit inadequately recognized international development landmark: Security Council resolution 1J25. which recognized the importance of understanding the impact of armed conflict on women and girls and guaranteed their protection and full gurticigotion in peace agreements. Although late in coming, there are now signs of increased commitment and action to ensure that the goals of the resolution are met
In Haiti … the world from her mother’s side
As the earthquake shook the house around her, ten-year-old Dessica ran outside and into a field behind her s ma 11 street. “Did you ran out a lone?” I asked. “Yes”, she says. “You didn’t wait for your mother or your sisters or brothers?” “No” she says. “I just ran.”
Les femmes en politique la lutte pour mettre fin à la violence à l’égard des femmes
Si les femmes ont réalisé des progrès remarquables dans de nombreuses professions, la politique est un domaine duquel elles sont largement exclues. Partout dans le monde, elles se font remarquées par leur absence aux postes de décision du gouvernement. Lors de la Première Conférence mondiale des Nations Unies sur les femmes, qui a eu lieu au Mexique en 1975, il a été rappelé à la communauté internationale que la discrimination envers les femmes demeurait un problème persistant dans de nombreux pays; il a été demandé aux gouvernements délaborer des stratégies pour promouvoir la parité, mais leur participation politique na pas été une priorité. Depuis, si une plus grande attention a été accordée à leur représentation et à leur incidence sur les structures décisionnelles, cela na pas donné de résultats immédiats. Par exemple, en 1975, les femmes représentaient 10,9 % des parlementaires dans le monde; dix ans plus tard, leur participation navait atteint que 11,9 %, soit un seul pour cent.
Lorsque tout se désintègre
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Les conflits armés et les femmes la résolution 1325 du conseil de sécurité: dix ans d’existence
En octobre 2010, les Nations Unies commémoreront le dixième anniversaire d’une étape majeure importante mais insuffisamment reconnue dans le domaine du développement : la résolution 1325 du Conseil de sécurité qui a reconnu l’importance de l’impact des conflits armés sur les femmes et les filles et qui a garanti la protection et la pleine participation de celles-ci aux accords de paix. Bien qu’ils aient été lents à venir, on constate aujourd’hui des signes de renforcement de l’engagement et des mesures prises pour assurer la réalisation des objectifs de la résolution.
Un bref aperçu des droits des femmes de 1945 à 2009
L’histoire de la défense des droits des femmes dans le monde depuis 1945 commence seulement à s’écrire1. Pour bien comprendre les épisodes et les changements qui ont marqué la défense des droits des femmes, il faut revenir à l’époque de la Société des Nations à laquelle ont succédé les Nations Unies. Il faut aussi examiner de manière plus approfondie le rôle important dans la promotion des droits des femmes sur la scène internationale de ce qu’on appelle souvent aujourd’hui « les organisations féminines traditionnelles », au moins avant 1975.
La traite des êtres humains prévention, poursuites et protection
En Haïti Le monde vu par une petite fille
Lorsque la maison s’est mise à trembler autour d’elle, Dessica, 10 ans, est sortie en courant et s’est réfugiée dans un terrain vague derrière la petite rue où elle habite. « Tu étais toute seule ? », ai-je demandé. « Oui », a-t-elle répondu. « Tu n’as pas attendu ta maman ni tes frères et soeurs ? » « Non, je me suis simplement mise à courir. »
La violence sexuelle comme tactique de guerre la résolution 1888 du Conseil de sécurité: Les prochaines étapes
Les organisations des Nations Unies: Ensemble pour répondre à la violence à légard des femmes
Une dynamique se crée pour éliminer la violation la plus courante mais la moins reconnue des droits fondamentaux les actes de violence dont sont victimes les femmes. Les études montrent que 70 % des femmes subissent des violences physiques ou sexuelles durant leur vie. Partout, les communautés, la société et les gouvernements se mobilisent pour mettre fin aux pratiques qui nuisent à la santé, à la dignité, à la sécurité et à l’autonomie des femmes et qui ont un impact négatif sur l’ensemble de la société. Le système des Nations Unies s’emploie à soutenir les partenaires dans cet effort.
9 Online privacy myths keeping you from maximum online privacy
These are the days of big data and security breaches. This is a long-distance call to action. With the risks of governments rolling back data privacy regulations and explosive data processing controversies involving social media and companies, it is clear we need to talk about online privacy.
Éduquer les filles, éradiquer la pauvreté deux objectifs qui se renforcent mutuellement
Il ne fait aucun doute que l’éducation des filles est une condition préalable de l’éradication de la pauvreté. L’éducation donne aux femmes des outils et des connaissances et les transforme. Elle leur permet de briser le cycle « traditionnel » de l’exclusion qui les confine au foyer et les met à l’écart de la prise de décision. L’éducation, en particulier, l’enseignement supérieur, peut préparer les femmes à assumer leur rôle dans le gouvernement, les entreprises et la société civile. Les femmes leaders sont idéales : de nombreuses études ont montré qu’elles tendent à allouer les ressources de manière plus judicieuse que les hommes. Par exemple, elles consacrent une plus grande partie de leurs revenus à la nourriture et à l’éducation de leurs enfants. Le renforcement du rôle économique et politique des femmes a donc des répercussions positives directes sur la génération suivante. Pour offrir aux femmes des études supérieures de qualité, il faut investir à long terme dans leur avenir et dans celui de leurs enfants.
SDG 14: Stepping up international efforts to tackle ocean plastic pollution
Eight to twelve million tons of plastics end up in the oceans every year. One of the targets of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), Goal 14 on life below water, calls upon states to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris, by 2025. Following China’s ban of all imports of non-industrial plastic wastes in 2018, exports of plastic wastes by high-income countries have shifted to South East Asian countries putting unbearable stress on their waste management systems. Despite worldwide attention devoted to the ocean plastics crisis, these practices are likely to aggravate the problem. It shows that current efforts are not sufficient to achieve the SDG target 14 for marine plastic litter and microplastics.