Senegalese women rewrite their future thanks to UNESCO and Procter & Gamble literacy partnership. The Sowame village of about 500 inhabitants is one of the first villages in Senegal to benefit from a new literacy project launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the multinational firm Procter & Gamble. Under the slogan “Rewrite the future”, the two year project aims to educate about 10,000 girls and women from 15 to 55 in … [Read more...]
RAPE: Eve Ensler ~ ‘Dear Mr. Akin, I Want You to Imagine …’
August 22, 2012 by
Dear V-Activists, I posted this letter on The Huffington Post and I have been flooded with thousands of emails, tweets, texts, stories of terrible rapes and profound emotion. There is a loud trembling unspoken story of women about to break to the surface of the world. It must break through if we are to survive as a species. It must break through. I want to thank each and every person (woman and man) who shared their story of violation with me. Your courage, your support, your anger, … [Read more...]
Mali: Shea tree empowers women
August 22, 2012 by
Many women in Mali know all about the benefits of the shea tree. They've been gathering its fruit for years to produce soaps and various products to sell. Now, production hovers at 80,000 tons per year – but it has the potential to reach 250,000 tons and improve lives. Vitellaria paradoxa (previously Butyrospermum parkii), commonly known as shea tree, shi tree, /ˈʃiː/ or /ˈʃiː.ə/, or vitellaria, is a tree of the Sapotaceae family indigenous to Africa, occurring in Mali, Cameroon, Congo, Côte … [Read more...]
The Recovery of Human Trafficking Victims ~ Take Action!
August 20, 2012 by
HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS Human trafficking victims may be able to recover if provided with appropriate social, medical, and mental health services from individuals and organizations experienced in human trafficking issues. Many human trafficking victims suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and co-morbid conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. They may likewise suffer from physical illnesses and injuries that require medical attention. Victims may have … [Read more...]
Eid al-Fitr in 2012 is on Sunday, the 19th of August
August 19, 2012 by
Eid al-Fitr in 2012 is on Sunday, the 19th of August. Note that in the Muslim calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on the sunset of Saturday, the 18th of August. Although Eid al-Fitr is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This difference means Eid … [Read more...]
UN Women, 1st reparation order issued by International Criminal Court
August 12, 2012 by
Landmark ruling paves the way for strengthening women’s access to justice for conflict-related crimes. United Nations, New York — The ruling made by the International Criminal Court this week regarding reparations to victims in the case of convicted former Congolese militia commander Thomas Lubanga reflects a growing recognition in international law that justice must go beyond mere prosecutions and a focus on perpetrators to include an equal focus on victims’ rights to redress and … [Read more...]
Sierra Leone, women candidates prepare their political platforms
August 8, 2012 by
ELECTION 2012 - WOMEN Taking Action The gathering in a well-lit Sierra Leone classroom comes off as remarkably joyful. “By my side… by my side…” chants a group of vibrantly-clad women, swaying and clapping in unison. “No longer men in front and the women at the back, but women and men walking side-by-side.” In Makeni, Sierra Leone’s fourth-largest city, a mobile campaign school has just swung through. Run by the civil society-organized Campaign for Good Governance (watch video below) … [Read more...]
Kenya,1 Million Dads against Gender-based Violence
August 5, 2012 by
Celebrating Campaign to mobilize one million dads against gender-based violence kicks off in Kenya On a bright Sunday afternoon in July, over a thousand people gathered in Nairobi’s Arboretum Park to launch a campaign that will see one million men join the fight against gender-based violence in Kenya. Part of the UN Secretary-General’s Africa UNiTE Campaign, the 1 Million Fathers initiative will be engaging men in their roles as fathers, brothers, husbands and friends. The launch on 15 … [Read more...]
Ramadan Prayer Guide – FREE
August 4, 2012 by
Dear Friend of the Persecuted , Imagine yourself as a Christian living in an Islamic country during Ramadan Before the sun rises you hear the call to prayer. As you prepare your morning breakfast you realize that you must eat a bit extra; sunset will come late this year and the day will be long and hot. As a Christian you do not need to fast during daylight hours, but if you choose to eat and drink you may be yelled at, spat at, or harassed by your Muslim neighbors. You sigh deeply as you … [Read more...]
Ethiopia, HIV-positive mothers deliver babies free of the virus
August 4, 2012 by
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, August 2012 – Adanech* rushed to the Saris Health Centre in Addis Ababa when her labour pains started. Because of an effective mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme at the health centre, supported by UNICEF and its partners, Adanech has an excellent chance of having her wish come true. Like every mother in the world, she hoped to deliver a healthy baby. But Adanech is HIV positive, and without appropriate care, she could pass on the virus to her … [Read more...]
INCEST is more rampant than one knows…Take Action!
August 3, 2012 by
Does INCEST strip the INNOCENCE of a CHILD? That is the Question .... The problem is that this information is rarely tracked by third world countries. In developed nations, the case of sexual abuse, will always be naturally under reported. In the case of consensual incest, the topic is still taboo, but due to the nature of consent, we have a better picture. High Incest Activity Countries That is a hard question to answer. Several countries share the spot for … [Read more...]
