Weekly Highlight of WPS on the Continent 18th to 22nd October 2021

The UN Appeals to Nations of the Great Lakes to End Hostilities

The UN apex body has appealed to leaders in Central Africa’s Great Lakes region to seize the opportunity and make progress towards ending the conflict in the region. This appeal has come at a time where the region has struggled with political instability since the genocide in Rwanda in 1994 with the continued violence posing serious risk to the region. The council stated that since the beginning of this year, at least 1,043 civilians have been killed, including 233 women and 52 children.

Further Details: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2021-10-20/un-urges-leaders-in-central-africa-to-help-end-conflicts

Gender Gap Widens in Africa Vaccines

The propaganda on the vaccine has hindered many women from taking their COVID 19 vaccine shots. Health officials in the Gambia and across Africa has urged women to get vaccinated stating that the claims of infertility are unhelpful propaganda as rumours proliferate across Africa. Although data on gender breakdown of vaccine distribution are lacking globally, experts see a growing number of women in Africa’s poorest countries consistently missing out on vaccines. Officials now fear that the gender disparity means African women are the least vaccinated population in the world.

Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/a/women-left-behind-gender-gap-emerges-in-africa-s-vaccines/6270361.html

Ethiopian Airstrike Hits Tigray Regional Capital

The Tigray forces has accused the Ethiopian government of launching airstrikes on the regional capital of Mekelle. The growing conflict in Ethiopia has escalated to the point that bombings have been reported by residents and humanitarian workers in Tigray. The governments continues to deny the claim as the conflict has killed hundreds of people and put thousands in danger of famine.

Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/a/tigray-forces-say-ethiopian-airstrikes-hit-regional-capital-/6275785.html

Reintegration of Abused Victims on Kenya

Laborers from Kenya who have endured abuse at the hands of employers are being offered reintegration and an opportunity to rebuild their lives by aid agency in Kenya. 80% of these abused people are women and have suffered emotional and physical abuse in the hands of their employers are now able to access support by a group that offers rehabilitation.

Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/a/agency-helps-kenya-s-returning-abused-workers-reintegrate-/6278037.html

Somalia Seek Humanitarian Aid

The current drought crisis caused by climate change is also affecting Somalia as many farmers have lost their livelihood due to insufficient rain. The humanitarian situation has not only been caused by drought but also desert locust situation which has been compounded by the COVID 19 pandemic. The Prime Minister has called for urgent assistance and emergency meeting with members of his cabinet.

Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-seeks-humanitarian-aid-over-worsening-drought/6281437.html

Malawi Government take Steps to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation.

The current operation by the Malawian government to end child prostitution has began. This operation has rescued girls between the ages of 14 to 16 who have been forced or lured into prostitution and have planned to put the girls into rehabilitation centres before they are sent back home. Human Rights organizations have commended the government for the imitative but claim that the real culprits roam unpunished

Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/a/malawi-authorities-take-steps-to-protect-children-from-sexual-exploitation/6281911.html

Hunger in Areas Affected by conflict in Cameroon

The humanitarian crisis in Cameroon is increasing daily as hunger hits the region where separatists are fighting. The World Food Program Regional Director for West and Central Africa has stated that farmers have been affected by the conflict between the government and separatist movement. Beneficiaries of the WFP assistance package are disabled people, pregnant women and peoples whose houses have been burned.

Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/a/un-says-hunger-hits-cameroon-s-troubled-western-regions/6282773.html

WHO Acts to Prevent Repeat of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

There have been repeated claims of sex for aid by staff of the World Health Organization. Between 2018 and 2020.  The organization has established an independent commission to investigate these allegations of women of the local population being forced by male staff members to trade sex for aid. The investigation Is aimed at preventing repeated incidence in the future and a series of outlined reforms aimed at creating a culture holding perpetuators accountable for crimes on sexual exploitation.

Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/a/who-acts-to-prevent-repeat-of-sexual-abuse-exploitation-in-congo/6281567.html

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