Salma Yusuf, a Sri Lankan based human rights lawyer, lecturer and Commonwealth Correspondent, outlines from a youth perspective how to achieve a socially cohesive society, and why it is critical for young people to be on board. She notes that this can be done through inter-ethnic and inter-faith exchanges, as well as empowering women to …

“Sri Lanka needs an equal and equitable society” Read More »

Joining the workforce can be a controversial step for some women, but Monica Islam, 23, a Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, argues that assuming work is a choice can have deep implications for society and gender equality.  I had a conversation with a male friend on whether employment should be a choice for women. “Yes, those who …

"Is employment a valid choice for women?" Read More »

Street harassment can take different forms in different places, writes Alicia Wallace, 29, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nassau, Bahamas, but the impact on victims and responsibility of by-standers remains unchanged. It can be tough to explain to people that street harassment, though normalized, is not normal, and the practice is not linked to the culture of …

“I was harassed here. No one helped me” Read More »

This year’s International Women’s Day in Cameroon focuses on “Gender Equality by 2030”, writes Alphonse Akouyu, 21, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Cameroon, who spoke with journalist and coach Ayuk Besong Anne Chantal and Tchatcheut Yonga Nelly Shella, coordinator at the Buea Rural Women Development Centre, to discuss the situation for Cameroon’s women. Could you give …

“Women’s Day – views from Cameroon” Read More »

With International Women’s Day in mind, Carole Nyemeck, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Yaounde in Cameroon met with Hawaou Adamou, the president of AFHADEV, an association that helps ostracised and abused girls and women become educated and financially independent. What is AFHADEV and what does it stand for? AFHADEV stands for Hausa Women Association for Development. …

“Group empowers women: let the light shine” Read More »

International Women’s Day prompted Summaya Afaq, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Karachi, Pakistan, to reflect on Muniba Mazari, a woman who could rightly be called a warrior or ‘iron woman’ for her approach to extraordinary struggles. Pakistan’s Muniba Mazari is an artist, writer, motivational speaker, host and philanthropist, but she believes that she could not have achieved …

“Inspiration: meet the iron woman!” Read More »

Equality for Caribbean women will require an understanding of history and a change in culture, writes Khadija Holder, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Trinidad and Tobago. “It is how you see yourself, and not how other see you, that is truly important.” Yet, is this really the reality for Caribbean women? When a woman’s strength, …

“Changing culture to enforce equality” Read More »

A focus on the sexuality of victims distracts from the real issues behind brutal killings, writes Shannay Williams, 18, a Correspondent from St. Thomas in Jamaica. Do all heterosexuals have sex? Does it mean that because you are straight you are sexually active? In Jamaica a recent controversy has erupted over these very questions. The question …

“Satyagraha – let us insist on truth” Read More »

A controversial scholarship raises questions about education around the issues of sex and health, writes Bonolo Madibe, 20, a Correspondent from South Africa, now living in the UK. Over the past couple of years we have seen an increase in feminist discourse, not only in schools but also on social media, TV and even in …

“Being virginal – is this the key to success?” Read More »

The taboo on talking about menstruation has been broken, writes Chimwemwe Manyozo, 27, is a Correspondent from Lilongwe, Malawi, but he argues the conversation should not turn into an either-or debate about access to supplies that serve girls’ need for health and success. Ever since I can remember, menstruation has been a topic that has not been …

“The campaign for free sanitary pads” Read More »