News & Announcements
06/30/2008 - Magistrate Puts Pressure on Simelane’s Murder
Source: Behind The Mask, Author: Nthateng Mhlambiso
The five men accused of murdering a Kwa-Thema lesbian, Eudy Simelane, were being remanded to 31 July this year, pending DNA results. The crime scene photographs are also expected by court as evidence, which were not available during the testimony yesterday, hence the postponement.
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06/30/2008 - HIV and Hepatitis Coinfection Studies Provide Conflicting Data
Source: Aids Map News, Author: Michael Carter
HIV-positive patients in Kenya have a low rate of coinfection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, according to an international study presented to the Fourth International Workshop on HIV and Hepatitis Coinfection in Madrid on June 20th.
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06/30/2008 - Government Unleashes Women-Friendly Budget
Source: Afrol News, Author: Saskia Virahsawmy-Naidoo
The recently approved national budget on the Indian Ocean island state Mauritius is seen as unique in an African context. It puts women and gender issues right at its centre of focus. Gender activists are thrilled as money finally follows policy statements.
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06/30/2008 - ANC asks Khwezi to Apologies
Source: The Times, Author: Moipone Malefane
The ANC leadership wants Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser to come home from the Netherlands and apologise for making the accusation. The woman, known publicly only as Khwezi, accused Zuma of raping her in 2005 and fled to the Netherlands on a five-year asylum visa a year after he was acquitted and she began to receive death threats.
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06/30/2008 - Lack of Cervical Cancer Screening puts Women at Risk
Source: Science and Development Network, Author: Carol Campbell
Women in developing countries face an increased risk of cervical cancer because they are not regularly screened for the disease. Though women in low-income countries are more likely to be exposed to risk factors like smoking and unsafe sex, just 19 per cent of women in the developing world have been screened — compared to 63 per cent in developed countries.
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06/30/2008 - In Solidarity with People of Zimbabwe
Source: Gender in Africa Information Network, Author: World YWCA
World YWCA staff stood in solidarity with Zimbabweans at the United Nations in Geneva as they vote in the presidential run-off elections. Zimbabweans were heading to the polls surrounded by escalating violence and human rights abuses. The World YWCA and World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) held a vigil for justice, peace and healing in Zimbabwe.
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06/30/2008 - Call for Halt to Sexual Violence in Conflict Lauded
Source: Pambazuka News, Author: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), welcomed last week’s call by the United Nations Security Council for an immediate halt of all acts of sexual violence against women in conflict situations. The Fund described it as a historical achievement that would go a long way in protecting the dignity of women and girls who are often subjected to violence as a tactic of war.
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06/30/2008 - Climate Change and Human Rights
Source: International Council on Human Rights Policy, Author: International Council on Human Rights Policy
Climate change policies have so far ignored the likely human rights impacts, according to a new report published by the International Council on Human Rights Policy. The report argues that human rights principles can guide climate change policy by focusing on individual suffering and exposure to risk.
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06/30/2008 - Aid from new European Union’s Members Disregards Women
Source: Pambazuka News, Author: David Cronin
Foreign aid budgets administered by the European Union's most recent entrants do not pay sufficient heed to the needs of women in poor countries. Since 2004, 12 new countries have joined the EU, most of which were formerly under communist rule. As part of the terms of their accession, they undertook to adhere to the EU's policies on development aid.
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06/30/2008 - "Where Is Our Money, asked Women leaders"
Source: Inter Press Service, Author: Joyce Mulama
Even though seven out of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) impact on women, both donors and governments receiving aid overlook the need to make resources available for gender empowerment.
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