Engagement season is upon us, with December being the most popular month to propose worldwide, according to The Knot. And while traditionally men have been expected to shell out for that diamond — as Beyoncé put it in 2008, he should’ve “put a ring on it” — many women are changing their expectations around who…
Nairobi — On the first anniversary of the conviction of ailing Burundian journalist Sandra Muhoza, 127 African women journalists have written her a joint letter expressing solidarity, calling for her unconditional release, and decrying her imprisonment as robbing the public of “an important voice.” Muhoza is expected in court on December 19, a family member…
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been ranked third among Africa’s most powerful women by Forbes, placing her alongside influential leaders shaping politics, economies and societies worldwide. American-based magazine Forbes ranks people and organisations around the world on a variety of categories, ranging from the wealthiest and most influential. South Africa’s chief executive of the FirstRand Group,…
The African Union (AU) successfully convened the 6th High-Level Africa Forum on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in Tunis, Tunisia. The Forum was held under the theme: “25 Years of UNSCR 1325: Leveraging Multilateral Diplomacy to Reinforce Africa’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda in a Shifting Global Order.” In his opening remarks, delivered via video…
Land tenure is the relationship, defined in law and customs, that people as individuals or groups have with land. It involves a bundle of rights to land, such as the right to use, sell, or bequeath land. Secure tenure is crucial for people to have secure homes, for food production, and for the economy. For…
Nairobi, Kenya — Sexual and reproductive health is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of development, shaping the dignity, choices, and futures of women and girls everywhere. International and regional human rights frameworks, echoed in national laws, affirm this right and call for bold action and innovation to ensure women and girls can access…
Drinking alcohol is known to be harmful to people’s health. It’s also known to be harmful in other ways. For example, men experience more harm such as aggression, accidents, and injury, from their own drinking than do women. But when a man drinks, the women and children closest to him often pay a price too….
Beyond access to freedom Academic freedom in African higher education has been a longstanding demand, yet its realisation remains inconsistent. Although universities have demonstrated progress in advancing gender equality, women scholars continue to encounter structural and cultural barriers that shape their academic experiences. Many institutions have adopted inclusivity policies, but these frequently coexist with entrenched…
Exceptional women business leaders such as African engineer-turned-entrepreneur Norah Magero are demonstrating how lived experience and ingenuity, backed by United Nations support, can turn promising ideas into successful companies, even in societies where their voices have long been sidelined. As a young mother in a remote part of eastern Kenya, Norah Magero struggled to get…
Nairobi, Kenya — At a time of growing backlash against women’s rights, the civic space in which African women live, organise, and advocate is steadily shrinking. Across the continent, women’s rights defenders are facing heightened violence, online and offline harassment, restrictive laws, and deep funding cuts that undermine their ability to mobilise and protect hard-won…
