Chad: Chadian Women Complain of Underrepresentation in December Elections

An estimated 8 million voters in Chad go to the polls Dec. 29 in legislative, local and district elections. Female leaders and activists, however, say women candidates are being… Read more »

Botswana: Activists Want More Women in Botswana's National Assembly

Three out of 28 female candidates were elected to Botswana's National Assembly in last week's general election, as women's rights activists called on the new administration to… Read more »

South Sudan: South Sudan Works to Reintegrate Young Mothers Back Into School

South Sudan is making significant strides in addressing the gender gap in education by reintegrating teenage mothers into schools, experts say. Read more »

Africa: Africom, African Militaries Unite to Combat Gender-Based Violence

U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM, is working with southern African countries to combat gender-based violence in the military. This week, AFRICOM and regional military officials are… Read more »

Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Starts Providing Free Treatment for Women With Obstetric Fistula

Zimbabwe's government has given in to pressure from rights groups and is now providing free treatment to women with obstetric fistula, a condition that makes it hard for mothers… Read more »

Africa: Thailand Reports Suspected First Case of New, Menacing Mpox Variant

Thai health officials are reporting the suspected first case of the new, more dangerous strain of mpox in the country, in a European traveler who arrived in Thailand from Africa… Read more »

Botswana: Botswana, U.S. Address Challenges Facing Women in Military

U.S. and Botswanan military personnel took part in a workshop focusing on better integrating women into the African country's army, addressing issues such as sexual harassment and… Read more »

Sudan: Female Delegates to Join Sudan Peace Talks, Address Gender Violence

Representatives from female-led Sudanese civil society groups are planning to take part in next week's Sudan peace talks in Geneva, a significant gesture of inclusion in addressing… Read more »

Africa: Discrimination Drives Gender Inequality in Africa - Report

Despite progress in policy and legislation intended to end gender inequality in most African countries, the continent is still far from achieving gender equality, according to… Read more »

Africa: Women Athletes Aim to Beat 17 Olympic Medals Won in Tokyo

The 2024 Olympics begin Friday, with more than 10,000 athletes gathering in Paris dreaming of winning gold, silver or bronze. Among them will be dozens of women from African… Read more »

Gambia: Gambia Lawmakers Reject Bill to Reverse Ban On Female Genital Cutting

Gambia's parliament rejected a bill Monday that sought to reverse the country's ban on female genital cutting. Read more »

Chad: Chadian Women Contest Underrepresentation, Say It Undermines National Dialogue Recommendation

Chad's female leaders and activists have strongly condemned what they say is their negligible representation in President Mahamat Idriss Deby's first civilian government after a… Read more »

Sudan: UN Warns of Nutrition Crisis for Women, Children in Sudan

United Nations aid agencies warn that an entire generation of children in war-torn Sudan is at risk of malnutrition, disease, and death without urgent action. Read more »

Cameroon: Cameroon Fights Period Stigma and Poverty On World Menstrual Hygiene Day

Cameroon is observing World Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28) with caravans visiting schools and public spaces to educate people about social taboos that women should not be seen in… Read more »

Botswana: Women in Botswana Watch From Sidelines As Country Prepares for Election

As Botswana prepares for general elections in October, the number of women running for office remains low. Read more »

Malawi: New Study Exposes Gender Bias in African Family Laws

A new report finds that gaps in family laws in most African countries are fueling discrimination of women and girls. The report from the international NGO Equality Now says laws… Read more »

Nigeria: Nigerian Officials Probe Plan to Marry Off Scores of Female Orphans

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Women Affairs says it is investigating a plan by a lawmaker in central Niger state to marry off some 100 female orphans of unknown ages later this… Read more »

Namibia: Namibia Struggles With Delay in Rollout of HPV Vaccine

Namibia is recognized as one of the few African nations to reach continental health targets outlined in the Abuja Declaration, allocating at least 15% of its national budget to… Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: Congolese Woman Excels in Beekeeping

In the eastern reaches of the Democratic Republic of Congo, women entrepreneurs in Goma continue to catch the eye of the business world, thanks to their creativity and resilience.… Read more »

Africa: Guns Fueling Rape of Children, Women in War Zones - UN

Actor and U.N. Goodwill Ambassador Danai Gurira told diplomats Tuesday that finding a child to sexually abuse in a conflict zone can cost less than one dollar. She urged… Read more »

Malawi: Malawi Takes Steps to End Poverty Among Women and Girls

Malawi and its development partners are trying something new to help the country's most vulnerable women and girls get out of extreme poverty. Besides enhancing their… Read more »

Gambia: Gambian Lawmakers to Vote On Bill to Repeal FGM Ban

A Monday vote could make Gambia the first country to repeal its ban on female genital cutting. Also referred to as female genital mutilation, or FGM, the procedure includes the… Read more »

Somalia: Killings of 3 Somali Women, Allegedly By Their Husbands, Stir Outrage

Three women were killed in Somalia last week in what police say were marriage disputes. The country's parliament called for urgent investigations and the arrest of the perpetrators… Read more »

Somalia: Somalia's Frontline Women Journalists Face Multiple Risks

In early January 2017, journalist Shukri Aden Hussein received an anonymous call, conveying an order. "Leave the government station," the caller told her. Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: UN Says Gender-Based Violence Is Increasing

The United Nations humanitarian agency, OCHA, says it is working with other humanitarian agencies to help mitigate and respond to increasing incidents of gender-based violence in… Read more »