Tolerance is not simply an attitude, writes Abdur Rafay Usmani, 21, a Correspondent from Karachi in Pakistan, but is an essential element for peace, unity and economic well-being of a nation or society. The meaning of tolerance is acceptance and understanding. Globalisation has made it easier for different communities to connect, meet and interact with …

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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 …

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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. …

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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 …

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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, …

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 Repealing a little-used law against homosexuality sparked a potentially divisive debate, but Angelique Pouponneau, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, reports that the result was in favour of tolerance and human rights. It was announced early March in the State of the Nation address that a section of the Seychelles penal code would be repealed. The …

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Abdur Rafay Usmani, 21, a Correspondent from Karachi in Pakistan, argues that gender empowerment will not only allow the marginalised to overcome their sense of powerlessness, but will also  have a profound impact on a nation’s economy. There is a widespread misconception that gender and sex are two interchangeable terms. Sex refers to the biological characteristics …

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Technology that was hoped to bring relief from tedious work seems to have brought unrelenting bad news instead, but Bryan Obaji, 25, a Correspondent from Calabar in Nigeria, argues the solution is to maintain a focus on empathy and peace. When I listen to the news on radio and on television, there are too many bad issues …

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Sustainable Development Goals that came into force after the phase-out of MDGs that drove global development for 15 years are relatively comprehensive in terms of scope and seek to address issues of poverty, hunger, education, and climate, writes Badru Walusansa, 25, a Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, who says beneficiaries have to be involved in the planning. …

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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 »