A Unilateral Cease Fire has been declared in the Tigray war
The Ethiopian government has declared a cease-fire in its Tigray conflict. The government made this announcement on the 28th of June 2020 and the cease-fire took effect immediately. This has come at a time where there has been a gross violation of human rights especially on the rights of women. Women have been violated by government forces and non-government forces during this conflict. It’s important that the four pillars of Resolution 1325 are respected even in conflict times. There are however no indications that the Tigray People Liberation Front will respect the ceasefire.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/ethiopia-declares-unilateral-cease-fire-tigray
The Rights of Domestic Workers are being Protected in Senegal
More women are in vulnerable job positions and lots of women in these unregulated jobs do not get benefits as there are unfair terms that do not favour women. In this regard, employment agencies have been decided to help train women in domestic jobs and help set the terms between employer and employees in other to favour the employee.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/episode/senegal-employment-agencies-strive-protect-domestic-workers-4731921
Climate Change fuelling hunger
The effect of climate change on women and girls cannot be overemphasised. In Madagascar, the back-to-back droughts are pushing 400 thousand people into starvation, 14 thousand people are in famine-like conditions which have led to deaths and severe hunger. Drought has an economic impact on women which leads to increased male labour migration with women remaining at home and ending up with increased unpaid care work as the male members of the family are migrate leaving women in poverty.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-madagascar-droughts-push-400000-toward-starvation
Boko Haram Terrorist Pledge Support to Islamic State
Videos have surfaced online of the different factions of Boko Haram fighters pledging allegiance to the newly appointed Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Security experts have said that this could mean more deadly attacks on citizens as the groups have the ability to consolidate their resources which will be more difficult for Nigeria to handle. Women have been significantly targeted by Boko Haram over the years and have faced rape, forced marriage and other sexual violence amounting to war crimes. With terrorist organizations gaining more momentum, the violence against women increases as against the pillars of resolution 1325.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/experts-concerned-boko-haram-terrorists-pledge-support-islamic-state
People Trapped in Tigray Conflict call for Help
A letter has been received by the Associated Press from the remote and cut off area of Mai Kinetal area of Tigray. The letter was signed by a local official calling for help as hundreds of people have starved to death and civilians are trapped in the most inaccessible areas in the Tigray region which is beyond the reach of aid that has led to the death of many. The letter gave a shocking statistic of women that have been victims of sexual violence at the hands of government forces. Being stuck in this remote area means that women that have been sexually abused have been denied their right to sexual and reproductive health right.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/trapped-ethiopias-tigray-people-falling-leaves
Women in South Africa Question Limiting Handguns for Self-defence.
During the pandemic, South Africa rate of violence against women and girls has tripled which has caused President Ramaphosa to label gender-based violence a second pandemic ravishing South Africa. World Health Organization stated that the killings of women by their partners are five times the global average. Women have frowned upon a proposed law by the parliament of South Africa to prevent South Africans from obtaining firearm licences for self-defence. This is a delicate situation as women have stated that taking guns off the hands of women will deepen violence against women. Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/south-african-female-gun-owners-question-limiting-handguns-self-defense
