25th November to 10th December are days dedicated to raising awareness about gender-based violence, writes Chimwemwe Manyozo, 27, a Correspondent from Lilongwe, Malawi. The campaign started with a focus to end violence against women and girls around the world, but has broadened its scope to look at all forms of violence. Men to women violence is the …

“Violence and the 16 days of activism” Read More »

Can gender equality exist, wonders Shannay Williams, 19, a Correspondent from St. Thomas in Jamaica, as she looks at whether equality means accepting distinct social roles or rejecting that idea entirely. There is no such thing as gender equality and for all intents and purposes, from my viewpoint speaking as a woman. How can gender equality exist, …

“Gender equality: debunking the myth” Read More »

Abhay Shah, 17, a Correspondent from Siliguri in India, writes that civilization teaches us to improve, but many countries in the world are partial regarding ‘gender’. Here, he looks at the issue in words and images. Will the last generation of the 21st century differ very much from the first? Will it be healthier and …

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Recent appointments to the national Senate raise questions about commitment to gender equality, writes Alicia Wallace, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nassau, Bahamas.  On December 11, 2016, Hon. Loretta Butler-Turner became the first woman to serve as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament in The Bahamas. This followed a petition by seven Free National Movement (FNM) …

“Senate postings highlight gender issues” Read More »

Goal 5 of the SDGs addresses gender equality and empowerment, but Latoyaa Roberts-Thomas, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago, says parts of the Caribbean need greater understanding of gender discrimination and violence against women. A social media phenomenon is part of the response. Ronelle King and Allyson Benn of Barbados became annoyed by the continuous …

“#LifeinLeggings: the Caribbean perspective” Read More »

A hastily-signed American executive order will have far-reaching impact on vulnerable women around the globe, writes Ros Limbo, 26, a Correspondent from Windhoek, Namibia. 2016 was a year of uncertainty and fear for many people around the world. Although not American, Hillary Clinton’s election loss made me upset. It showed that even in the first …

“Global gag rule: America has failed women” Read More »

During India’s national struggle, the position of women took a turn for the better, writes Abhay Shah, 17, a Correspondent from Siliguri in India. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Dr. Rajendra Prasad began to think deeply about the urgent need for women’s emancipation. Gandhi, Nehru and Prasad realised that so long as women of the …

“Women and their changing role in India” Read More »

Decades of civil war ended with South Sudan’s independence in July 2011, but as McPherlain Chungu, 21, a Correspondent from Zambia now studying in India notes, women remain vulnerable in times of conflict. He argues the solution requires a change in approach. South Sudan was declared an independent state on July 9th 2011 after its …

“South Sudan conflict has equality lessons” Read More »

On Valentine’s day this year, Malawi’s national assembly passed a bill that called for the Constitution to raise the marriage age with parental consent from 15 to 18 years. Chimwemwe Manyozo, 27, a Correspondent from Lilongwe, Malawi, reports that the news was received with excitement, especially from activists and youth. One of the leaders in the fight …

“It’s 18! What’s next to stop child marriage?” Read More »

Women in the workforce can prepare to prove themselves and set their careers a notch higher, writes Judith Akoth, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kisumu in Kenya. She has tips for those who want to change jobs, set up a business, win employee of the year award, or take a rightful place in the coveted …

“Tips on closing the boardroom gender gap” Read More »