12
Sep
2011
IPS is happy to share with its readers a new, inspiring video recently released by TrustAfrica.
The film features TrustAfrica project “Enhancing Women’s Dignity”, and gives insight on some of the work done to build capacity to curb violence against women and increase women’s political participation. The work is being realised with funds from the Dutch MDG3 Fund.
The video can be accessed here
To learn more about TrustAfrica MDG3 project, visit the webpage.
05
Sep
2011
Isis-WICCE activities in the community livelihood projects in Soroti and Pader.
By Wendy Harcourt*
It is hard to recall that just a couple of decades ago rape as a weapon of war was an unspeakable subject. The appalling violations of women and children during wartime were hidden from view. Millions of women bore the brutality, humiliation, pain debilitating physical and psychological scars with no support and too often complete rejection of their community. 
Unfortunately rape in war continues but it is no longer silenced. It is upfront as one of the gravest rights abuses now punishable by criminal courts. In 2008 the UN Resolution 1820 (2008), stated that “rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to genocide”. The resolution calls not only for monitoring and prosecution of warring factions but also for a crackdown on peacekeepers who exploit women and children during times of conflict. More »
29
Aug
2011
Women in the forefront of protests in Tahrir Square. Credit:Mohammed Omer/IPS
By Wendy Harcourt*
The Arab Spring has taken the global imagination. The Arab Spring has brought about political changes in post-revolution countries (Tunisia and Egypt), in countries currently undergoing popular, and often armed revolts (Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, and Libya) and in countries where some type of reform movement is taking place (Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, and to a lesser extent, Lebanon). But how did the use of ICTs, twitter and Facebook reach youth and in particular women in the MENA region? How did young people and women find the tools and spaces to speak about democracy and women’s rights, in cultures that barely recognize their social and political rights? How did they find the courage to go onto the streets in deviance of autocratic and repressive regimes? More »
29
Aug
2011
Lakshmi Puri. Credit U.N.
Sunaina Perera interviews Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 12 (IPS ) – The donor base for UN Women has continued to widen since the new UN entity was established last year, according to Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women.
Puri, who is responsible for leadership and management of the Bureau supporting inter-governmental bodies, UN coordination and external relations, said that Spain remains the largest donor for total resources (core and noncore) while the UK recently announced an increase from 3 to 10 million pounds and thus became the second largest core donor. More »
19
Aug
2011
Photo Essay by Aline Cunico
(IPS/Aline Cunico)
Considered one of the biggest slums in the world, Kibera is Nairobi’s–and East Africa’s–largest urban settlement. Over one million people struggle daily to meet basic needs such as access to water, nutrition and sanitation. In this community lacking education and opportunities, women and girls are most affected by poverty.
More »
08
Aug
2011
By Wendy Harcourt*
How do sex workers speak out in an increasingly violent island state where authoritarian decrees make their work illegal? How do women who have been violated find the courage to speak out when deep control of women’s sexuality and femininity is emblazoned as part of a nation’s culture?
More »
01
Jul
2011
Noma Neseni. Credit: IPS/Zukiswa Zimela
Gender activists say African organisations should focus more on gender when they gather for talks.
01
Jul
2011
Gender activists at the fifth SADC water dialogue, in Swaziland, say the time for talking about gender and poverty reduction is past; they say action is now needed to address the needs of the poor in Africa.
24
Jun
2011
Edith Nwakwi says Zambia needs to uplift its women traders to the middle classes Credit: Brian Moonga
Since its independence from Britain in 1964, Zambia’s political stage has been dominated by men, despite women’s critical role in the liberation struggle. Edith Nawakwi now wants to be Zambia first woman president.
