In 2017 in Kenya, a group of teenage girls created an app called ‘i-Cut’. The main aim of the app is to offer a way for girls about to undergo FGM to get in contact with help. But another aim of the app is to encourage people to talk about
In 2017 in Kenya, a group of teenage girls created an app called ‘i-Cut’. The main aim of the app is to offer a way for girls about to undergo FGM to get in contact with help. But another aim of the app is to encourage people to talk about
Speaking about issues in our communities is really important and can have really incredible effects. Issues that aren’t spoken about are the ones that exist for the longest time: issues like female cutting (FGM). An African youth campaign called “I Will End FGM” aims to end FGM by starting one
Every child has the right to education. Having the opportunity to learn is a very important part of everyone’s life. Through education, children are able to realise their potential, become more active members of society, and make the most of the opportunities they have. When girls are discriminated against in
One in five people in Africa have paid bribes to access medical services or to obtain documentation. Widespread corruption creates a culture of impunity, meaning that officials consider themselves above the law. Without a culture of accountability, there can be no progress in human rights. AS ABOVE, SO BELOW A
Under recently elected Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia has reached several significant milestones in gender equality in politics. Half of Mr Abiy’s 20-person cabinet are women. In October Ethiopia’s parliament unanimously voted for Sahle-Work Zewede to replace Mulatu Teshome as President. Finally, Meaza Ashenafi was appointed as Ethiopia’s first female
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a Nigerian politician born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1900. She played a key role in ensuring that Nigerians had a greater role in their own affairs, and she set up the Abeokuta Women’s Union, a political organisation of women which united to fight injustices under colonialism. The
Pregnant girls and young mothers have difficulties to continue with their education. In Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone pregnant girls are banned from schools. In Tanzania, girls are forced to take regular pregnancy tests in school and drop out if they are pregnant. This is an active failure of the
Sub-saharan African countries face threats from armed groups and terrorist organizations. Groups such as Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram have no respect for human rights. They carry out massacres, conduct ethnic cleansing and target civilians. Governments aim to protect people against the threat of such groups. However, they can inflict significant
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a Nigerian politician born in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in 1900. She played a key role in ensuring that Nigerians had a greater role in their own affairs, and she set up the Abeokuta Women’s Union, a political organisation of women which united to fight injustices under colonialism. The
Many African governments retain criminal defamation and insult laws (CDIL) which make it a crime to publish anything insulting. The result is restriction on freedom of expression, debate, political criticism and media reporting. WHAT ARE CDIL? In many countries around the world, including the majority of African nations, governments use