Human Rights Violations in Mozambique
Amnesty international has reported the unlawful killings of hundreds of the civilian population in Mozambique by Al Shabab, government security forces, private security force and private military companies. The conflict in Mozambique has caused more than half a million people to flee their homes in Cabo Delegado and terrorist groups linked to the Islamic state has been exploited the conflict in the country. This conflict hinders the actualization of the WPS agenda as it has its negative impact on women and girls on the protection of women and girls in the region.
Further Details: https://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00076979.html
Gunmen Attack and Abduct Families
Nigeria continues to experience a spike in abduction. The abduction of schoolgirls and boys in rural and peri urban communities has not escalated to major capital cities. In the past week, abduction was reported in the staff residence of the Federal Airports Authority in Kaduna state. Locals reported that gunmen with ammunitions abducted some members of staff and their families amounting to 11 persons which included women and girls from their homes.
Further Details: https://allafrica.com/stories/202103060102.html
Cameroon Military Accused of Killing Civilians in New Attacks on Separatists
The increasing human rights abuses in Cameroon by government forces has left the civilian population in dire need of intervention from the government with growing calls for investigations into these alleged human rights violations. The military forces claim that they are intensifying raids on separatist movements in the region. The military has denied any accusations of human rights abuses towards the civilian population.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroon-military-accused-killing-civilians-new-attacks-separatists
Cameroonian Women Celebrate Women’s Day with Calls for Political Inclusion
Cameroon women joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Women’s day by protesting their lack of political power and gender inequality in the country. The women were joined by human rights groups and 11 female ministers in the march against inequality in the country. The women stated that they no longer want to be in the shadows of men.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroonian-women-mark-womens-day-calls-political-inclusion
The Pandemic Increasing Poverty in Africa
Many homes have been plunged into poverty because of the pandemic. Reports have emerged that thousands of Kenyans are struggling with the devastating effect of the pandemic on their sources of livelihood. A survey carried out by the charity, Twaweza, has shown that 60% of Kenyan families can no longer afford three meals per day. Women have been more impacted by the devastating impact of the pandemic in Kenya given the vulnerable sources of their income.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/covid-plunging-many-kenyans-deeper-poverty
The Pandemic and Gender Inequality
The World Health Organization(WHO) has reported on the growing effects of the pandemic on gender equality in Africa. In a new report, the WHO stated that women are not necessarily affected by the pandemic, but the pandemic has exacerbated the gender divide. To back up this claim, WHO provided analysis findings of 28 countries on average 41% of COVID-19 cases are among women. The report stated that the main impact of the pandemic on millions of women is the physical, mental, and economic distress it has caused women.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/covid-pandemic-worsening-gender-divide-africa-who-says
Silencing of Women Opposition Activist in Zimbabwe
Women rights groups in Zimbabwe have called for the immediate and unconditional release of three female opposition activist arrested. According to the women group, these women have been arrested for the third time in less than a year. This act is seen by the group as targeted victimization on the women and a way of taking away their freedom of speech and rights to peaceful protest. The women appeared in court and were denied bail by the justice system on the allegation of holding unlawful gathering in violations to the lockdown rules.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/zimbabwe-police-rearrest-3-women-opposition-activists
International Womens Day Celebrated Amidst the Pandemic
International Women’s Day(IWD) Celebration has been celebrated in the past by honouring the achievements made by women globally. Irrespective of the pandemic and the growing loss of jobs as well as increased burden of care on women the pandemic has put on women, 2021 year was celebrated with the theme: Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.
In a UN Women message, this years IWD celebration is a rallying cry for a world of equality with the #ChooseToChallange the existing status quo that hinder the actualization of gender equality.
