Somalia Urged to hold elections without further delay
The ongoing conflict with Al Shabab in Somalia is hindering the country from holding general elections. This has led to women protesting the killings of civilians which were because of an exchange of gunfire battle between AMISOM and Al Shabab in the nation’s capital. Nevertheless, the African Union and the United Nations have urged Somalia to hold its elections irrespective of intimidations from terrorist groups.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-au-urge-somalia-hold-elections-without-further-delay
Rape As a Strategy of War in Ethiopia
Despite the international laws that exist against the use of rape as a weapon of war, and classification as a war crime, there remain allegations of continued use of rape in Ethiopia. Ethiopian military and its allies have been accused of the widespread use of rape against women and girls in the Tigray region and the scale of violations amount to a war crime. Women have reported cases of being gang raped by security forces charged to protect them the government has repeatedly denied these allegations. The WPS agenda speaks to conflict-related sexual violence when used as a tactic of war can be a threat to international Peace and Security.
Further Details: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58167818
Women Involvement in Dialogue in Tambura South Sudan
The greater Tambura in South Sudan has continued to face intercommunal clashes, displacement, violence, and human rights violations. There have been cases of disappearance and dozens of lives lost and the humanitarian crises is on the rise, more than 30,000 people are said to have been displaced. The authorities, civil society groups, religious leaders, community elders, women representatives, and youth representatives are working together to open platforms for dialogue.
Further Details: https://www.africanews.com/2021/08/13/unmiss-steps-up-patrols-and-monitors-human-rights-violations-in-greater-tambura/
Seven Years after Chibok Abduction, some girls were Freed.
The gruesome ordeal parents of the Chibok girls have had to face over the years cannot be explained. Seven years after, 2 girls that were abducted from a boarding school in Chibok by members of the terrorist organization Boko Haram were freed this week. The young girls were handed over to her parents and one already had 2 children. There have been severe threats to the education of girls in Northeast Nigeria over the years and this, in turn, has reduced the number of girls in school.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/second-nigerian-chibok-girl-freed-week-seven-years-after-abduction
Women Get Help from Kenya Aid Group
The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected the lives of many, but women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic psychologically and economically especially in developing countries. In Kenya, an aid group is helping women get through the pandemic economically and help in improving their mental health.
Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/episode/kenyan-aid-group-helps-women-during-pandemic-4771991
UN Agency Calls for Protection from Sexual Attacks in D.R.C.
United Nations Refugee Agency has called on the government of Congo to increase the security and protection of women and girls in the country. This call came because of the widespread systematic sexual attacks by armed groups in the Tanganyika region. The report by the UNHCR stated that the horrific attacks by women and girls are taking place in the Triangle of Death an area bothering several local communities between Tanganyika, Maniema, and South Kivu. Time and time again, armed groups have used sexual assault as a weapon of war, and women have been victims of this sometimes even facing stigma in their communities as a result of this. Further Details: https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-agency-calls-protection-sexual-attacks-drc
