Tag Archives: Africa

Sierra Leone News: Women’s Movement reinforces

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article by By Ophaniel Gooding in Awoko

A two-day national conference with the theme “the women’s forum we have the woman’s forum we need” concluded with the authoring of a communique by representatives of women’s group nationwide. The national conference which was organized by Campaign for Good Governance and the Women’s Forum Sierra Leone is to strengthen and reinforce the “Women’s Forum Sierra Leone and celebrating our Silver Jubilee of women’s movement,” said Maude R. Peacock the president of Women’s Forum Sierra Leone. 


Photo from the facebook page of the Women’s Forum Sierra Leone

This conference, funded by Trocaire, brought together women and women’s community based groups and Civil Society Organizations, across the sixteen Districts, with the aim of examining the strengths, opportunities and challenges affecting the women’s movement in our country; Reaffirming that ‘Women’s Rights are Human Rights’ and the fundamental rights of all as enshrined in Chapter 3 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, including the elimination of all forms discrimination against women. 

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Question for this article

Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?

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CGG Executive Director, Marcella Samba explained that effective women’s participation in the democratic processes of any developing country is the foundation for good governance, gender equality and sustainable development; Reminding the Government of Sierra Leone of its duty to protect and promote the rights and advancement of women and girls in Sierra Leone. She applauded the efforts made over the past years by the various women and women led organizations to promote women’s advancement, empowerment and access to basic socio-economic services, despite the challenges. Also, appreciated the efforts and invaluable contributions made by the older women generation and urging the younger women generation to join the Women’s Movement, with particular focus on making Sierra Leone a better place for all. 

President of 50\50 group Dr Fatou Taqi acknowledged the challenges hampering the effective functioning, networking and collaboration of the Women’s Movement from having a formidable voice for change and transformation. 

YWCA Sierra Leone National President, Bondu Manyeh welcomed the new initiative of self- assessment and internal reform. Some of the recommendations in the communique were to ensure the promotion and strengthening of intergenerational dialogue among women and women’ groups across the country, and reinvigorate all aspects of the Women’s Forum Sierra Leone. Also to develop and implement a clear road map of the roles and responsibilities of the Women’s Forum of Sierra Leone and member organizations, and that emphasizes participation, communication, and empowerment of women. To promote the culture of peace and tolerance among the various women’s groups to improve interpersonal relationships and to solidify and achieve their economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. Also to Provide capacity building of women for women’s groups for gender engagement and civic participation on a continuous basis. However, some of these recommendations are expected to be actualized within a 5 years time span, disclosed CGG Program Director, Bernadette French

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Sustainable Peace in West Africa: International Youth Conference Opens on November 15

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An article by Dramous Yéti in Fraternité Matin (translation by CPNN)

The 3rd International Conference for Youth for Peace will take place from 15 to 16 November 2018 at the Permanent Representation of ECOWAS in Abidjan.

The event will take place on the sidelines of the celebration of the Day of Peace, and will be on the theme: “Solutions of the African youth to stop the migration crisis and violent extremism?

Two hundred and fifty young leaders from the sub-region are expected at this annual meeting. It will be a window to reflect on the conditions for lasting peace in West Africa.

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(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question(s) related to this article:

Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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Unemployment, illegal immigration, the challenges of entrepreneurship, ICT are the main themes that will be discussed during the six (6) workshops planned. During this meeting, young project leaders will have the opportunity to present their ideas in a resource mobilization perspective.

Also on the menu are sports and socio-cultural activities that will take place at the Stadium Felix Houphouet-Boigny of the University in Cocody.

This conference is an initiative of Elite West Africa (Ewa), composed of youth organizations from the fifteen member states of ECOWAS. Its field of action covers several areas including the culture of peace and excellence, sub-regional integration, sustainable development, etc.

Created in 2015, Elite West Africa has more than 55,000 members, including more than 15,700 in Ivory Coast.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

South Sudanese speak on new peace deal

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An article from Africanews

South Sudan is preparing to celebrate what President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar have called the ‘final’ peace agreement on Wednesday, October 31.

Juba residents want a culture of peace at every level of society to avoid a return to violence.

Alfonso Albino, 32 is expecting a real political, social, economic and security change. He’s a member of ‘Salam Junub’ or Peaceful South Sudan, an entity that goes around Juba raising awareness about the need for peaceful co-existence amongst communities.

“We expect that after the celebrations of Peace Day created by the government, things will return to normal and everything will change”, Albino said.

Question related to this article:

 

Can peace be achieved in South Sudan?

For Juba resident John Ayom “this is a day when South Sudanese can come together, gather and reflect on why peace is so precious to all of us. Especially with our war history, you know. And we must start talking about and developing the culture of peace. And having this day is so important to achieve this culture of peace objective, you know, for this country of Southern Sudan”.

It is not clear whether Machar will attend the celebrations. On Friday, a spokesman for his group said in a statement “we are still waiting for the release of political detainees and prisoners of war.” Presidents of Sudan, Uganda and Kenya are expected to attend the celebration.

Machar was last in South Sudan in 2016, following his reinstatement as vice president under a short-lived peace deal agreed in 2015.

The East African country has been torn apart by an ethnic civil war since late 2013, two years after its independence.

This agreement aims to end years of civil war in Africa’s youngest state, which has claimed 400,000 lives, according to a study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Earlier this week, the World Food Programme said violence in Southern Sudan is blocking the delivery of food aid badly needed to fight hunger in some areas.

It said this confirms that the peace agreement signed last month is not holding.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Ethiopia Kicks Off “Jegnit” National Campaign. Aims to Establish Women-Led Network for Peace

. .DISARMAMENT & SECURITY. .

An article from the Addis Standard

A national campaign dubbed “ጀግኒት” (Jegnit), loosely translated “She, the Brave One”, was launched yesterday [October 30] at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Abeba in the presence of senior women officials and other invited guests. The launching ceremony was attended by most of the recently appointed women ministers including Mufarihat Kamil, the Minister of Peace. The program, which is launched by the ministry of women’s, children’s and youth in collaboration with various stakeholders, is expected to kick off on November 4, 2018.

Jegnit is aimed at creating a movement of women networks with the major goal of fostering the culture of peace in Ethiopia so as to ensure the protection of women and children, where the case is evidently meager by far. The launching event brought together nine political leaders in the cabinet of PM Abiy Ahmed (with the exception of Dagmawit Moges, minister of transport), leading women artists, and other leading public faces to rally around the campaign, which will be advocated through a series of peace-conferences bringing women representatives from all the nine regional states and two city administrations together.

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Question for this article:

Can peace be achieved between Ethiopia and Eritrea?

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“Every ministry led by women should give the utmost attention to peace. They need to stand [to ensure that] the vulnerability of women in social equity and violence on the unprivileged groups is not a case in the country,” Yalem Tsegaye, minister of women’s, children’s and youth, said during the event, adding that “It is crucial to lead (the reform) with access to quality multi-sectoral services, inclusive to women and children, is ensured.”

By the end of the peace-campaign a network of women is expected to be established aimed at giving a flavor of strength to the stakeholders working on women and children in the country. Said to be part of this advocacy and the later planned successful programming, the network will work through women who can make sustainable peace and cope with the recent reforms in the country.

“There is an untapped potential of women and young girls everywhere in this country, which we need to unlock. The approach to peace should include women together with multi-pronged approaches at different levels,” Mufarihat noted.

The women-led peace conference will have a leading motto of *“She, the Brave One, Dreams, Plans and Accomplishes.”


Nearly half of the women in Ethiopia, 48% in 2016, have had no education, according to a report from the Demographic Health Survey of Ethiopia (DHS). According to a 2017 data from the Ministry of Health, 13% of adolescent women aged 15-19 are already mothers or pregnant with their first child. Women also constitute the highest number of victims in violence which gripped various parts of the country in the last six months alone. In her maiden speech at the joint session of the two parliaments, Ethiopia’s newly appointed President Sahle-Work Zewde promised to make the safety of women in conflict prone situations one of her top priorities as the first female president of the republic.

Africa, DISARMAMENT & SECURITY

Nurturing Girls’ School Clubs to End Child Marriage in Ethiopia

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article from UNICEF

“I went to the police station when my parents told me that I am getting married,” says Mestawet Mekuria,14, a 7th grader in Ayti Primary School, Amhara region, northern Ethiopia. She is one of 20 girl students who have been rescued from getting married in the school.


Female students of Wengi primary school in Zigem, Amhara region gather for girls club discussions on child marriage.

“I had learned about child marriage and its consequences in our school’s girls’ club. I told my parents that I do not want to get married. But they refused, and that is when I ran to the police station.” Mestawet went to the police assuming that her parents will only be warned seriously. But it was much more than that. Her parents were arrested and imprisoned for two weeks for violating the law.

“I was sad when they were arrested but they refused to listen to me.”

Child marriage, a formal marriage or informal union before age 18, is prevalent across all regions of Ethiopia. According to the 2011 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS), Amhara region has the second highest rate of child marriage, 56 per cent, next to Benishangul-Gumuz region which has 58.

Child marriage often perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of poverty. When girls get married at early age, their prospects for a healthy and successful life will be at stake. Evidence shows that girls who marry early are less likely to finish school and more likely to be victims of domestic violence and abuse. In addition, young teenage girls are more likely to die due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth than women in their 20s.

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Question for this article

Prospects for progress in women’s equality, what are the short and long term prospects?

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Strengthening girls’ club as part of the accelerated effort to end child marriage in Zigem woreda, Amhara Region was initiated in 2015 by the Bureau of Women and Children Affairs (BoWCA) through support from UNICEF-UNFPA Global Programme to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage.

The ending child marriage programme focuses on enhancing the capacity of girls through providing life skill training, information about their rights and available services as well as enhancing the responsiveness of schools and legal services. It also targets families and communities to change their attitude towards ending the practice and show support to alternative life options for girls such as their education.

According to Abebe Adamu, one of the trainers from Bureau of Women and Children Affairs, 106 girls were rescued from getting married in 2016 and 55 girls in 2017. “The community is currently aware that child marriage is harmful,” he says. “Students are also more aware of their rights to reject any marriage proposal coming to them against their will.”

Wubayehu Tilahun, girls’ club coordinator and a teacher at Ayti Primary School is pleased with the girls’ club performance. “Seeing my students continue their education gives me a great pleasure. Here in Ayti, we have rescued 20 girls from marriage in the past two years, and we will continue to be fighting against this harmful practice.”

Although, Mestawet’s parents were angry for what happened to them, later they made peace with her through a mediation which was led by village elders. “My parents now understand about child marriage and its consequences. They are no longer angry with me,” says Mestawet.

Mestawet wants to become either a doctor or a teacher. It might be years before she realizes her dreams but in the meantime, she keeps protecting girls in her village, including her own younger sister, from getting married early.

“Child marriage is a harmful practice, and I want girls to continue with their education like me,” says Mestawet. “I have seen my classmates quit school because they are married. I always tell my friends in my village about child marriage, and I will continue to do so to others.”

(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

South Sudan Chapter of African Union Master Plan Roadmap “Practical Steps To Silencing The Guns By 2020”

. . SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT . .

An article by Khamis Comas Lokudu from Gurtong

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) on Monday [October 16] launched the Economic Social and Cultural Council South Sudan Chapter(ECOSOCC). The Economic, Social and Cultural Council is an advisory organ to the African Union composed of civil society organizations (CSOs). The principle of the ECOSOCC is for the civil society to organize itself to work in partnership with the African Union. Its mandate includes contributing through advice, effective translation of the AU’s objectives, principles and policies into concrete programmes, as well as evaluating those programmes.

The objective of the chapter is to empower South Sudan civil society organization on the implementation of AU-ECOSOCC action plan for implementation of AU agenda on silencing the guns by 2020.

According to Richard Ssewakiryanga, the Executive Director of a Ugandan National NGO and Presiding Officer – African Union – Economic, Social and Cultural Council, said in his presentation that, the Aspiration 4 of Agenda 2063 which is the African Union’s strategic framework for socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next five decades, highlights the need for dialogue-centred conflict prevention, as well as the management and resolution of existing conflicts, with a view to silencing the guns in the continent by the year 2020.

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Question related to this article:

Can the African Union help bring a culture of peace to Africa?

Can peace be achieved in South Sudan?

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Mr Richard Ssewakiryanga added that the agenda 2063 provides that in order to achieve sustainable conflict prevention and resolution, a culture of peace and tolerance must be cultivated and nurtured in children and youth, among others, through peace education.

Ssewakiryanga furthermore explained that in its first ten years implementation plan, agenda 2063 stresses the imperative of ending all wars, civil conflicts, gender-based violence and violent conflicts as part of Africa’s collective efforts to silence the guns in the continent by 2020.

The Organization of African Union/ African Union, (OAU/AU) 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration, adopted by the AU Heads of States¬ and government in Addis Ababa on 26th May 2013 expressed determination to achieve the goal of a conflict-free Africa, to make peace a reality for all and to rid the continent of wars, civil conflicts, human rights violations, humanitarian disasters and violent conflicts.

The Heads of States pledged not to leave the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africans but assume to end all wars in Africa by 2020 according to Mr Richard.

Africa, Mideast, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,

Africa: International Day of Peace

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A survey by CPNN

The following 72 events in 26 African countries include those listed in Google during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” and “Journée internationale de la paix.” The events also includes some listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace and on the facebook pages for the global feast and the International Cities of Peace as well as partiipants in One Day One Choir and Montessori schools singing for peace. See the page of events in the Arab States for those in North Africa.

Release of doves at the end of the International Day of Peace at the Françoise Dolto school in Saint Pierre, Reunion.

Here are excerpts from the articles.

NATITINGOU, BENIN: The Peace and Education Association (APE-Benin) celebrated this Saturday, in the presence of the mayor of Natitingou Antoine N’da, the 2018 edition of the International Day of peace, under the theme “The right to peace: 70 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. Referring to the UN resolution, the president of the Peace and Education Association (APE-Benin) Rachidi Adam reminded the audience composed mainly of young, that the culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, behaviors and lifestyles that reject violence and prevent conflict by attacking their roots through dialogue and negotiation between individuals, groups and states.

BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI: CIAD Burundi, a non-governmental organization includes as one of its objectives to establish a Culture of Peace in Burundi through the establishment of spaces for dialogue, exchange and reflection on mechanisms for consolidating peace and social cohesion. On Friday, September 21, 2018 at noon, a tent will be erected in Bujumbura to collect your signatures in the Guestbook of Peace in Burundi.

NGAOUNDÉRÉ, CAMEROON: Placed this year under the theme “the right to peace”, the international day of peace edition 2018 gave the opportunity to the men of God to raise prayers for peace in Cameroon. The related events organized in Ngaoundéré by the Association of Women and Girls of Adamaoua (AFFADA) was chaired by the governor of the region. Representatives of the political parties, the MRC, the UNDP and the CPDM also gave voice to a peaceful Cameroon before, during and after the presidential elections of 07 October. The governor said he was touched by the theme of this celebration and the timing of the 2018 edition, because it reminds the leaders of political parties in the presidential race in the region to be moderate in their speeches in order to avoid hate messages. The release of the doves, synonymous with peace, put an end to the celebration.

DOUALA, CAMEROON; A peace song recorded by four of Cameroon’s top artists entitled Stand For Peace was released on this day. Cameroon as well as other countries in Africa are experiencing serious political crises and through this song, the artists preach a message of peace.

BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: The Minister of Labor, Employment, Vocational Training and Social Protection, Jean-Christophe Nguinza, chaired, Friday, September 21, 2018 in Bangui, the festivities marking the International Day of Peace, coupled with the ceremony of the inauguration of the building of the Kokoro Secondary Council, a work of the school-building of the youth of the basic communities 3rd and 6th arrondissements as well as Bimbo.

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DR CONGO): On the sidelines of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, a Capacity Building Workshop for Peace Journalists and Human Rights Actors was organized in collaboration with Monusco, the National Press Union in Congo (Unpc) and the Bureau of Agencies. United Nations systems on human rights. The Coordinator of the Association of Congolese Journalists for Peace (Ajcp), Ms. Christiane Ekambo KiengiMrs said that the peace reporter is a preventive journalist compared to the journalist of conflict or war. Unpc President Kasonga Tshilunde announced training workshops for journalists on the eve of the elections.

GOMA, NORTH KIVU, DR CONGO: The women of North Kivu met in Goma this Friday, September 21, 2018 as part of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace For more than five hours, these women shared their experiences and discussed around the theme chosen at the global level “The right to peace, 70 years after the declaration of human rights” and unanimously expressed the wish to see the North Kivu province recover peace. They also blasted the fact that their province has become the stronghold of massive displacement of the population fleeing clashes between the Congolese army and the armed groups in different corners of the province.

GOMA, NORTH KIVU, DR CONGO:
On the International Day of Peace, activists of the citizens’ movements organized a march to demand peace and the holding of credible elections in the country. The march of the citizen movements, including the Struggle for Change (LUCHA), started from the President Entrance to the provincial governorate, to the Himbi museum where they read their memorandum before being dispersed by the police. “We want free, credible and fair elections. We are asking the governor to bring us peace because he is the representative of Kinshasa power here. We also demand that voting machines be pruned from the electoral process. The next elections must lead us to peace and not to war. And to get there, we have to go in a scheme that suits all stakeholders, “said one of the protesters.

NYANGEZI, DR CONGO: On this international day for peace, Congolese Females Action for Promoting Rights and Development (COFAPRI) organized activities for the city of peace in Nyangezi, DRC. Women, men and children joined discussions on ways they can move toward peace in their homes and in their communities. They also prayed and asked everyone reading this message to pray just for five seconds for our country the DR Congo to have peace one day. They also send lots of blessings to anyone involved in peace activities no matter who they are, where they are and in whatever way they are doing so. God bless all the Cities of Peace all over the world.

LUBUMBASHI, DR CONGO:: John Mukhuta and the Lubumbashi City of Peace group in Katanga held an excellent Peace Day event. John has worked tirelessly over the last decade to take care of orphans, promote women’s rights, and bring his community to a new level of safety and health. This event highlights the group’s year-long effort, as sanctioned by local government and dignitaries, as well as the local U.N. peacekeeping force.

MAMBASA, DR CONGO: On the occasion of the World Day of Peace we will organize on Sunday, September 23, a concert for peace in Mambasa the 160th international city of peace,

LIBREVILLE, GABON: The Executive Bureau of the Panafrican Women’s Network for the Culture of Peace celebrated Friday in Libreville, the International Day of Peace. “Our peace project is about making every woman, of goodwill, living in this country, a development partner who lives and lives in a specific province and that it helps to make attractive,” said the president of the Network, Victory Lasseni Duboze. Also in the context of election news, “The political game allows the confrontation of ideas but no fighting that leads to divisions and rejection by each other,” she pleaded.

LIBREVILLE, GABON: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace,the United Nations System organized, from 21 to 22 September, a series of activities aimed at nurturing young people on the notion of peace. The stadium of the national gendarmerie of the Gros-Bouquet camp, in the 1st district of Libreville, served as a framework for the events in which children in difficulty (from several reception centers), associations of women and young people … have communicated with other young people around the theme of this 10th edition namely “le droit.” The different agencies took the opportunity to showcase and explain to the public what they are doing to contribute to a world without violence.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2018) for the International Day of Peace?

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SANKORE, BRONG AHAFO REGION, GHANA:: Peace march includedmembers of a Peace Committee, students, market women, business owners and other concerned individuals and groups to demand for their right to peace which they have not enjoyed for almost decade due to incessant violent political rivalry between members of the two major Ghanaian political parties in their community. The programme was climaxed with a symposium to be attended by the Interior Minister, Members of Parliament, Security agencies, UNDP Country Office rep, traditional and political party leaders and others.

MATHARE, NAIROBI, KENYA: The event for the International Day of Peace included classroom activities,group discussions and sports.

MONROVIA, LIBERIA During the celebration of the International Day of Peace, we paraded from the Sports Commission to the Monrovia City Hall, Monrovia, Liberia.  We also had an indoor program at the end of the parade. 
My message to everyone is to love peace, speak peace, live peace, do peace, sustain and maintain peace and dream peace always.

NEW MATADI FANTI, LIBERIA Peace Talk brought together Youths and community stakeholders to discuss the importance of maintaining peace. This event will be held in New Matadi Fanti town community in Sinkor.

ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR: The FIMPA, an association that works for the protection of the consumer, organized an exchange-sharing session around democracy, perceived as the main instrument of peace. For this association, the day today also part in celebrating the 70 th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). For them, talking about peace and democracy in an electoral context is relevant, because it calls for a peaceful electoral process.

LILONGWE, MALAWI Malawi joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Peace in Lilongwe on 20th September 2018 under the theme Right to Peace. In partnership with the Malawi Government, Chancellor College, and other stakeholders, the United Nations converged high-level and community women in politics, business, faith, public service, uniform, academia and law to discuss their contributions to peace in their communities.

BAMAKO, MALI: On 21 September, the African Youth Network for Populations and Development, AfriYAN Mali, in collaboration with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) revived the International Day of Peace through a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening the capacities of young people and women on issues of peace. AFriYAN, the African Youth Network for Peoples and Development was created in December 2005 in Lusaka. This network aims to promote and increase youth participation in Africa’s development by strengthening their leadership and advocacy capacity. It is present in all African states.

TIMBUKTU AND GOUZOUREY, MALI: As part of the International Day of Peace 2018, MINUSMA organized several activities in different regions of Mali to celebrate this day together.   MINUSMA is the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission for Stabilization in Mali. In Timbuktu, they organized a conference-debate on the theme ” Right to Peace  ” and a friendly football match. In Bouzourey, the meeting involved the Mayor of the commune, traditional leaders, local authorities and young people of the locality. The day ended with a football match between two villages in Gouzourey commune: the Bagoundje team and the Wabaria team.

SEGOU, MALI: Celebrating also the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, during this International Day of Peace several activities were organized including a conference debate, a caravan and an evening for peace. These festivities were organized by the Federation of UNESCO Clubs. The program was broadcast in Ségou by Studio Tamani.

ILORIN, NIGERIA: In Ilorin, Nigeria: City of Peace, Dr. Adimula Ruth Abiola presented the Global Peace Index at her University.

LAGOS, NIGERIA: Video of celebration of the Global Feast in Lagos

IBADAN, NIGERIAThe 2018 International Peace Day was celebrated by many activities which include Church Service, Jummat Prayer, Peace Walk, Award to Peace Makers in the Society and the Peace day Celebration.

IBADAN AND KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA: Global feasts were held in these two cities as well as others in Nigeria.

SAINT-PIERRE, REUNION: The program of the International Day of Peace in Saint-Pierre included a peace march with the College of the Bamboo Line, an intervention of the National Police at the Jean-Paul Sartre school for a moment of awareness about harassment and dangerous games, the planting of an olive tree at the Françoise Dolto kindergarten as well as a release of doves, a musical show with René-Paul and Paël Gigan, the distribution of an artificial white flower to the children and a exhibit about peace performed with Firmin Sinama Pongolle.

KIGALI, RWANDA Never Again Rwanda in partnership with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission and other peace actors marked the International Day of Peace at the Parliamentary building in Rwanda. The national local theme for this year is “Critical thinking for peace”, which stems from the need to strengthen capacities of youth and citizens to gain understanding in reflective thinking and creativity in addressing peace challenges in their communities. The event attracted participants from youth, governmental officials and CSOs representatives.

DODOMA REGION, TANZANIA: The commemoration of the International Day Of Peace and the 70 years of Universal Declaration Of the Human Rights took place in the Dodoma region of Tanzania.

HARARE, ZIMBABWE: The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum), which has worked with many victims of organised violence and torture since 1998, led the peace day commemorations in Harare under the theme, “The Right to Peace: Building a just, inclusive and accountable Zimbabwe.” This year’s commemorations are organised in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Theatre in the Park, Renewal Fellowship and Youth Empowerment for Transformation Trust (YETT). The commemorations reflect the diverse groups that are all key for building sustainable peace. Bringing together young leaders, civil society and church leaders, the commemorations give Zimbabwe an opportunity to explore inclusive strategies for building a just, inclusive and accountable Zimbabwe. Part of the attractions will also feature a theatre production on Heal the Wounds by Rooftop Promotions.

In addition to the above events, One Day One Choir lists participating choirs for the International Day of Peace in :
Angola (LUSAKA)
Burundi
Cameroon (YAOUNDE)
Democratic Republic of Congo (KINSHASA and other cities)
Ghana (ACCRA)
Kenya (NAIROBI, MOMBASA)
Liberia (MONROVIA)
Malawi
Namibia
Nigeria
Senegal (DAKAR)
Sierra Leone (CONAKRY)
South Africa (CAPETOWN, JOHANNESBURG, SWAZILAN, ZULULAND. EAST LONDON)
Tanzania (DAR ES SALAAM)
Uganda (KAMPALA)
Zambia (LUSAKA),
Zimbabwe (HARARE)

And the map of Montessori schools singing for peace on the International Day of Peace includes schools in:

Botswana (TLOKWENG)
Ghana (ACCRA)
Kenya (NAIROBI)
Namibia (3 schools)
Seychelles (Bel Air Victoria)
South Africa (DURBAN, CAPETOWN, PORT ELIZABETH, OUDTSHOORN, MQANDULI, MPUMALANGA, HARBEESPOORT,, JOHANNESBURG, PRETORIA, ROODEPOORT)
Zimbabwe (MATABELELAND)

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Togo: Catholic Church urges media to serve dialogue, peace and reconciliation

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An article from Togo Presse (translated by CPNN)

Some 50 journalists from Catholic media and secular media from the seven dioceses of Togo took part, on Tuesday and Wednesday (21-22 August), in CESAL, in Lomé-Tokoin, in a training workshop on the theme: “The media at the service of dialogue, reconciliation and peace”. The project is in the hands of the Catholic Episcopal Council for Social Communications (CENCCS), in partnership with the World Catholic Association for Communication (SIGNIS), the Propaganda Fide, with the sponsorship of the Conference of Bishops of Togo (CET) ). It aims to strengthen the capacity of media professionals to contribute to the success of inter-Togolese dialogue, national reconciliation and the consolidation of social peace.


Emmanuel Mawusi, clarifies the objectives of the workshop

The essential functions of a media is to inform, educate and entertain. As such, in a process of dialogue and reconciliation, as is the case in Togo, which is going through a momentous moment in its history, the media must be mediators between the protagonists of the crisis. But it is clear that the Togolese press, for the most part, ignores this role, preferring to play the game of politics. It is therefore to remind them of this role of awakeners of conscience that the Catholic Episcopal Council for Social Communications (CENCCS) initiated, for the pastoral agents of the sector of Catholic media and secular media of the seven dioceses of Togo , a workshop on the theme: “Media for Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace”.

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Click here for the original version in French)

Question(s) related to this article:

African journalism and the Culture of Peace, A model for the rest of the world?

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For two days, seasoned speakers spoke on several sub-themes namely “Dialogue in the management of a political crisis: the case of Togo”, “Reconciliation in traditional and contemporary societies”, “Promotion of culture of peace: the role of the media professionals “, “The role of the media in a process of dialogue and reconciliation”and “Exchanges on the use of traditional and contemporary techniques of production of media content in favor of ‘peace journalism”.

“We want that, starting from here, we can act as we should with great circumspection by using the words and doing the right thing to really help the Togolese to reconcile, to know how to manage the moments of crisis. Words have strength. By speech or a statement, people can be manipulated based on what is said. So, as media professionals, we hold the very crux of the crisis in this country. When there is a crisis without dialogue, we go to the impasse. We are here to teach Togolese to stay together while being on various sides,” said Rev. Emmanuel Mawusi, Secretary General of CENCCS.

For Daniel Lawson Drakey, one of the communicators, the journalist, as an educator and awakener of conscience, must make a difference. The journalist should be at the disposal of the population wherever there is an issue without taking a stand. “It’s about not throwing oil on the fire. Today we have the impression that journalists have become political actors. They speak in the place of the politician. This makes us no longer understand the role of the media within the populations. Combat journalism has had its day. Today, everyone is talking about the development of our states. When a journalist engages politically, he loses credibility. But if it becomes independent, the people find in it a credibility and they listen to it,

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Morocco and Senegal promote gender equality through media

. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .

An article from Devdiscourse

The first traveling workshop of the project ” Prevent violence and promote gender equality through the media in Morocco and Senegal ” was held from 16 to 18 August 2018 in Thiès (Dakar-Senegal). An activity that allowed the various participating journalists to build their capacity in the mastery of the concept of gender, human rights issues and their consideration in the collection and processing of information.


©UNESCO/Théodora Samba Taliane

The project “Preventing violence and promoting gender equality through the media in Morocco and Senegal”, funded by Spain under the International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC), has as its main objective to empower beneficiaries to promote gender equality and combat the reporting and spread of hate speech in the media while promoting a better strategic approach to the use of digital.

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Click here for the version in French)

Question related to this article:

Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?

African journalism and the Culture of Peace, A model for the rest of the world?

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The project is implemented in Senegal with the support of partners at the national level such as the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, Posts and the Digital Economy, the Senegalese National Commission for UNESCO (COMNAT), the Union of Associative and Community Radios of Senegal (URAC), 

A series of four itinerant workshops are planned to be held throughout Senegal. It is in this context that the first event was organized. The workshop, which was held on August 16, 17, 18, welcomed nearly 40 participants, members of the community radios as well as the online press, located in the region of Dakar and Thiès.

For three days they were trained on the concepts of human rights, gender and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW); and in journalistic techniques, on the notions of ethics and deontology in the treatment of information. 

At the end of the training sessions, the participants were asked to make radio and written productions, respecting the notions of gender, ethical and ethical according to the knowledge acquired. These productions will be monitored throughout the implementation of the project for dissemination to local communities. 

This workshop was an opportunity, especially for members of the online press, to participate for the first time in an activity dealing with gender issues, demonstrating clearly that the need for strengthening on these themes is essential, and this at all scales. The next traveling workshops will be held in Kaolack (September), St. Louis (October) and Kolda (November).

Promoting a culture of peace and gender equality is central to UNESCO’s mission. This project is part of the Organization’s drive to strengthen peace and non-violence through the media with a focus on building their capacity to advance ethical, objective and quality journalism.

Africa, Uncategorized, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Eritrea hosts peace meeting between Ethiopia govt and Tigray ‘rebels’

. .DISARMAMENT & SECURITY. .

An article by Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban for Africa News

Eritrea on Tuesday [28 August] hosted reconciliation meeting between the Ethiopian government and a rebel group belonging to the far north Tigray region.  

According to Information Minister Yemane Meskel, representatives from Addis Ababa led by the Director of the National Intelligence and Security Service met with a delegation of the Tigray People’s Democratic Movement, TPDM.

Whiles the Ethiopian intelligence chief led the government team, the TPDM was led by its chairman Mokonen Tesfay.

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Question for this article:

Can peace be achieved between Ethiopia and Eritrea?

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This is a continuation reconciliation efforts led by Asmara between Addis Ababa, Ethiopian regional governments and rebel groups that have been based in Eritrea.

So far, Asmara has been the venue of meetings between Ethiopia and rebel groups from the Oromia and Amhara regions.

On August 16, representatives of the Amhara Region and the Amhara Democratic Forces Movement, (ADFM), signed a Reconciliation Agreement in Asmara today. The Agreement provided for the ADFM to pursue its political activities in Ethiopia through peaceful means.

In early August, Ethiopia and the Oromo Liberation Front, OLF signed a Reconciliation Agreement.The deal was reached between President of the Oromo Region, Mr. Lemma Mergesa & OLF Chairman, Mr. Dawd Ibsa.

It provided for i) termination of hostilities; ii) that the OLF will conduct its political activities in Ethiopia through peaceful means. The two sides also agreed: (iii) to establish a Joint Committee to implement the agreement. Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu participated in the meeting.

Africa, DISARMAMENT & SECURITY