Reports of Horrors Continue in Northern Mozambique
The insurgency in Palma Mozambique has taken its toll on women and girls. Women and girls have been abducted by the militant and many women forced into marriage with their captors. Many victims of this violence have accused the Mozambican police of extortion and lack of protection from the insurgents. The protection pillar of the WPS Agenda speaks to the protection of the rights of women during and after conflict and its advices the protection of women and girls at national levels which the state of Mozambique is not offering.
Further details: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56373651
The conflict in the Northern part of Mozambique has left many dead and over 700 thousand people displaced. This week, suspected islamist insurgent attacked civilians fleeing to safety and attacked Palma hotel where civilian have been seeking refuge. Beheadings of the civilian of women and children has been on the rise by the insurgent.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/mozambique-militants-beheading-children-young-11-save-children-says
Gender Based Violence on the Rise in Eastern and Southern Africa
The issue of Gender Based Violence has been on the increase since the outbreak of the pandemic. A United Nations report has flagged increasing number in gender-based violence in Eastern and Southern Africa since the lockdown measures put in place by governments to curb the pandemic. This has dealt a setback in actualizing the Sustainable Development Goals.
While GBV can affect male and female, women and girls are disproportionately affected by it and the failure to link GBV prevention and risk mitigation efforts with gender equality in other to address existing gender discrimination also exacerbates the problem and hinders the advancement of the WPS agenda.
Further Details: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/africa/gender-based-violence-prevalent-in-eastern-southern-africa-during-covid-19-pandemic-report-75963
Equality for Women in Decision making
UN Women has called for a significant increase of women in decision making globally. The Commission on the Status of Women reaffirmed the Beijing Women Conference held 25 years ago which was centred on Gender Equality, the growing impact of violence on women and the power imbalance between men and women in public life. Despite the progress made in recent years, the institution recognises the significant disparities between men and women.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/usa/un-commission-urges-equality-women-decision-making
Food Shortage Reported in Angola
The World Food Program is warning a severe food shortage which is leading to severe hunger in Angola. This is happening as a result of the rise in drought in nearly four decades. The drought is affecting the lives and livelihood of millions of people in the Southwest Province.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/hunger-rises-severe-drought-grips-angola
IDP’s In Burkina Faso Struggle to Access Aid
UNHCR has referred to Burkina Faso as the world largest growing displacement and protection crises with more than 1 million people internally displaced. Many disabled women and girls and internally displaced people have suffered disproportionately in the hands of local bandits, Jihadi groups and other terrorist.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/burkina-fasos-idps-struggle-access-aid
Tanzania Proudly Governed by a Woman
Tanzania has marked a new beginning as first ever female president Samia Suluhu took the oath of office after the demise of erstwhile President JP Magafuli. Many Tanzanians say President Samia new leadership could bring about positive changes in the country. This a right step in the right direction as this goes in line with the spirit of the Beijing Declaration which was brought to life 25 years ago.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/samia-suluhu-hassan-becomes-tanzanias-first-woman-president
Killings Reported in Northeaster DRC
An armed group of over a hundred-armed group active in the region, has gone on a rampage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The conflict has claimed the lives of almost 200 people and has displaced over 40,000 people in North Kivu, raiding villages, killing civilians, kidnapping people which the group has said is in retaliation against military operations, lack of food and medicine. In this conflict, women and children constitute the majority of people running to safety.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-armed-group-northeastern-drc-goes-killing-rampage
