Feminism is for everyone, says Ashley Tan Yu Yi, 16, a Correspondent from Singapore. Men and women have a critical role to play in eliminating gender disparities. As a typical teenager struggling with a borderline unhealthy case of internet addiction, I have come across several articles and videos of women proudly calling themselves “feminists.” However, …

“Men are important in promoting equality” Read More »

Human trafficking is a tragic reality, but Mahdy Hassan, 24, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, says that education, awareness and cooperation can defeat trafficking and the human rights abuse it brings. A man from Bangladesh who I will call Mr. Anis went Oman, a Middle Eastern country, as a victim of human trafficking. Being …

“Engaging youth to fight human trafficking” Read More »

The Commonwealth includes diverse indigenous peoples, writes Oghenekevwe Oghenechovwen, 17, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Warri in Nigeria, who looks at International Day of the World’s Indigenous People and ways to help keep distinct cultures vibrant. “…The language of my education was no longer the language of my culture.” – Ngugi Wa Thiongo (Writer) The Commonwealth’s 53 member …

“Helping Indigenous peoples to advance” Read More »

Women’s shelters are an aspect of services designed to empower vulnerable women, but Sugandha Parmar, 22, a Correspondent in Kanpur, India, examines whether these safe havens have the infrastructure required to fulfil their intended role. Before we start, it is important to discuss a few terms in detail. Economic empowerment is the individual’s ability to …

“Gaps in women’s economic empowerment” Read More »

Access to justice is a fundamental human right, but as Mahdy Hassan, 24, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh explains, gaining that access is not an easy task. That’s where an innovative legal aid programme can  help. Let me tell you a story of a 24-year-old Bangladeshi single mother of two children, who was dismissed …

“Legal aid ensures access to justice” Read More »

With the population of persons affected by HIV and AIDS still growing, Angelique Pouponneau, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, looks at discrimination that can still hamper productive lives. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were approximately 36.9 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2014. Of these 2.6 million …

“Countries must invest in HIV positive citizens” Read More »

Sexual violence has no place in a democratic society, argues Laila Johnson-Salami, 20, a Correspondent from Ibadan in Nigeria, who outlines five steps aimed at eradicating rape culture. Sexual violence has become an increasingly prevalent act in Nigeria over the years. There has been little implementation of effective policies that treat sexual violence as a serious …

“Five ways to eradicate rape culture” Read More »

Member nations celebrated the UN’s 71st with focus on the SDGs. Kelechukwu Iruoma, 23, a Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria writes that Nigeria, where Boko Haram sects have killed and displaced thousands, used the anniversary to focus on Internally Displaced Persons and solutions to their challenges. The event that marked the 2016 United Nations Day was …

“Contributing your share to help humanity” Read More »

The scourge of elderly abuse made headlines earlier this year, writes Lyn-Marie Blackman, 30, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Barbados. She reminds younger Barbadians to honour those who paved the way for the social and economic development they enjoy today. This May, a video of an elderly woman being mistreated by an auxiliary nurse in an …

“Elder abuse dishonours family and society” Read More »