Kenya’s progressive 2010 Constitution brought improved women’s representation in Parliament and public life. But historical prejudices remain, always more intensely apparent during elections.
Men march against.
violence against women and children in Cape Town, South Africa.
Reuters/Mike Hutchings
While men regard the social norm of ‘proving’ their manhood as normal, research shows otherwise. Combating these misconceptions can help reduce male violence.
Ugandan women water seedlings at a small farm outside Lira town in northern Uganda.
Reuters/Hudson Apunyo
Tanzania and Uganda have improved gender integration in agriculture policy. But a lot still needs to be done in the allocation of resources and transformation.
Although South Africa has taken steps to rid itself of the apartheid-era view of marriage as only heterosexual and monogamous, discrimination against religious marriages persist.
In sub Saharan Africa causes of death, such as suicide, have been neglected.
Rafiq Sarlie/Flickr
At a time when a new national school curriculum is starting its pilot phase in Kenya, a study shows the massive gaps in sexuality education programmes.
Many women in African countries who are medically required to have caesarean sections aren’t able to access them due to weak health systems and a lack of resources.
President Jacob Zuma at the opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders in Parliament.
GCIS
The clash over South Africa’s Traditional Courts Bill is essentially about custom and constitutionalism. The government is often seen as pandering to traditional leaders’ whims.
In Kenya the obsession with high exam grades means extra pressure on children.
Reuters/Thomas Mukoya
African countries are bound by continental law to put aside funds for the protection of women’s rights, but very few have managed to put their gender-budgeting guidelines into practice
Women in Ghana are under tremendous pressure to have children.
Thomas/Mukoya
Several initiatives have been launched to foster a sporting culture more conducive to the involvement of women in South Africa, including new laws. But evidence shows much still needs to be done.
Computer scientists can make important contributions to fixing societal ills.
UNAMID/Flickr
There are many inspiring female computer scientists in and from Africa. They have the power to inspire young women who might think that computer science is ‘only for men’.
A woman waits to be registered at a food distribution centre run by the United Nations World Food Programme in Thonyor, Leer state, South Sudan.
Reuters/Siegfried Modola
Nearly half of South Sudan’s population could be severely food insecure and at risk of death in the coming months because of the avoidable acts of civil war in a land of plenty.
It’s often self-doubt and gender stereotyping that holds girls back from pursuing science careers.
Reuters/Corinne Dufka
Society, parents, schools and popular media all perpetuate the myth that girls don’t have the brains or ability to be scientists. Of course, that simply isn’t true.
Midwives play a crucial role in enabling women to make choices about how they give birth.
The White Ribbon Alliance/Flickr
Nigerian women migrating to Europe are increasingly aware that work hidden in the form of menial jobs is actually sex work, even though they cannot imagine the brutality that comes with it.