Despite women making up roughly half of the world’s population, there continues to be less of them in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) compared to their male counterparts. This prevails due to a myriad of reasons. But as Karishma Arora, a 25-year-old Commonwealth Correspondent from India points out, women, men, employers – everyone – will …

Empowering Women to Innovate Read More »

With so few women represented in science and related fields, it is no wonder why more girls aren’t attracted to these disciplines. But why are women so under-represented in science to begin with? 21-year old Nigerian correspondent Precious Obiabunmo argues that a big part of the issue is related to gender stereotypes and biases. She …

Getting More Women in Science Read More »

Pakistani women face what seems to be a never-ending cycle of gender inequality. When compared to men, Pakistani women have less access to information, formal education, employment, and healthcare. Samara Ali, a 27-year-old Correspondent from Pakistan argues that not enough is being done to ensure that women have the same opportunities that men freely enjoy. …

We have to do more to empower our women Read More »

Women can help bring peace and development to Africa, writes Amina Adhan, 22, a Correspondent from Nairobi, Kenya, who reports on a forum that examined the hurdles and the opportunities for women looking for political and social empowerment. Kigali, Rwanda, recently hosted a forum sponsored by the African Union, seeking to understand the challenges for women’s …

"Silencing the guns in Africa by 2020: women's role" 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 »

Empowerment of women has a strong association with strengthening males, writes Asim Nawaz Abbassi, 30, a Commonwealth alumni from Islamabad, Pakistan, because it encourages women to live better and brings benefits to all. Strengthening women lets men have the courage to speak up. That strengthening is shown by allowing all people to be selfless, hardworking, multitasking, …

“Women empowerment means all benefit” Read More »

If you allow people talk about how wonderful women are, they will talk without an end, writes Bryan Obaji, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Calabar in Nigeria. At the same time, violence against women is endemic. He examines some causes and solutions. Right from our own homes, our mothers are wonderful, our wives are God-sent, our daughters …

“Victims of violence against women in Nigeria” Read More »

Metolo Foyet, 20, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Cameroon now living in Niger, is enthusiastic about the superhero movie Black Panther, which is earning accolades for challenging Hollywood’s usual vision of Africa and of women. Accra, mid-February. Landing at a silverbird cinema. Free refreshments! Childlike glee! Viewers in stunning tribal dresses and an implike caressed Impi …

“A positive take on Africa: God bless Wakanda!” Read More »