Weekly Highlight of WPS on the Continent 8th to 12th November 2021

African Union Member States called on to address deepening Human Rights Violations

Human Rights Watch has called on African Union member states to address gross violations of human rights and democratic cries affecting the continent. This call has come at a time where there has been successful coup de tat on the continent which has out raged pro-democracy supporters and constant conflicts on the continent. The call was made following the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights Session beginning November 15 2021. The Rights organization also stated that governments across Africa should take adequate steps in addressing challenges to human rights such as discrimination against women and girls.

Further Details: https://allafrica.com/stories/202111150079.html

Women Hold the Key to Taking Decisive Action Against Climate Change

Though Africa produces only 3% of greenhouse emission globally, Africa has been greatly impacted by climate change and women and girls on the continent are bearing the brunt of it. In the Climate Change conference in Glasgow, Scotland, activist have made arguments that women and girls also hold the key to taking decisive actions against climate change.  This can only be done if more women and girls are empowered to lead their communities as it prepares them to better adapt to the crisis.

Further Details: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2021/11/09/fair-cop-the-african-women-showing-why-gender-justice-equals-climate-justice/?sh=11db685745ef

Climate Change Could Cause more damage in Africa by 2050

In a World Bank report on Africa, has stated that the continent will be hit more by the climate change leaving 86 million Africans migrating within Africa in search of safety. The data presented by the World Bank on West Africa and Lack Victoria Basin shows that Climate Migration hot spots could emerge as early as 2030 and without concrete climate and development action, West Africa may see as many as 32million people forced to move within their own countries by 2050.

Further Details:  https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/10/27/climate-change-could-further-impact-africa-s-recovery-pushing-86-million-africans-to-migrate-within-their-own-countries

The Ethiopian Conflict and Small Window of Opportunity to End the Conflict

The African Union Envoy to the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo and UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo both briefed the UN Security Council have warned that the risk of Ethiopian conflict spiralling into a civil war is only too real but there is a small window of opportunity to end the fighting is it is short. Former President Obasanjo stated that means to grant humanitarian access and withdrawal of troop Is been devised. 

Further Details: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/social-media-access-disrupted-ethiopia-netblocks-says-2021-11-08/

Mozambique farmers breaking all Odds

Female farmers in Mozambique are not giving chance to the conflict in the region, climate change and COVID 19 pandemic limit them. Though the pandemic has seriously disrupted their livelihood in the last 18 months, these women farmers have had to lean on each other in the face of these challenges. Agricultural associations have pulled resources together to support one another. The women are finding ways to recover by selling seeds to their fellow farmers and sharing what they have.

Further Details: https://africanarguments.org/2021/11/mozambique-the-farmers-navigating-conflict-climate-change-and-covid/

Violence Against Women in Tigray Region by Tigray Forces

Amnesty International has reported cases of gross human rights violation meted on women by the Tigray forces in the yearlong conflict. Women have been raped and beaten by Tigray rebel forces in Amhara region. Women interviewed have narrated despicable acts of gang rape by rebel groups. Further Details: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/10/tigray-rebels-raped-beat-women-in-ethiopia-war-report

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