Posts Tagged ‘Zimbabwe’
IDEX is now a proud member of The Zimbabwe Alliance, a funders collaborative whereby we can maximize joint resources to maintain our commitment to promoting a vibrant civil society in the country. Read the rest of this entry »
Can you imagine being arrested and imprisoned for watching news footage and having a discussion about the mass movements in Tunisia and Egypt?
This is what recently happened in Zimbabwe to 45 activists. Up until yesterday, 6 were still imprisoned, in solitary confinement and tortured.
They have since been released on bail but the charge remains: treason.
For this charge, they face a possible death sentence. Read the rest of this entry »
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Ethical Funds Announces Support for Human Rights Assessment of Goldcorp’s Marlin Mine – Guatemala Times, May 17, 2010
Ethical Funds, a Canadian Provider of socially responsible mutual funds, has finished a human rights assessment on the Marlin Mine. This is the first time a mining company has released a full report for public viewing.
Mexico
The Ongoing Extermination of San Juan Copala’s Autonomous Triquis – Upside Down World, May 17, 2010
A heartfelt plea for a humanitarian aide caravan to assist the community. Last month’s caravan was ambushed by paramilitary groups, who are keeping the residents of San Juan Copala in subhuman conditions.
India
India reviews anti-Maoist policy – BBC.co.uk, May 18, 2010
The government has largely refused to help the rural areas that have asked for aid in defending themselves against the Maoists. Recent Maoist attacks have made the government rethink this strategy.
Nepal
Specialists call for stronger measures to combat diarrhea – IRIN News, May 14, 2010
With the monsoon season coming up, health experts are urging people to take preventive measures. Awareness and preparation will be key in keeping diarrhea-related deaths down in districts with sanitation problems.
South Africa
Labour Market Shuts out Women – Toward Freedom, May 4, 2010
Women, and women of color in particular, make up a disproportionate number of the unemployed population. Women’s financial dependency “has a multiplicity of negative social consequences.”
Zimbabwe
Media Commission still to register new independent media outlets – SW Radio Africa, May 18, 2010
Zimbabwe’s attempt at media reform is falling flat. There are rumors that the new Media Commission is stalling as a tactic to maintain government control of the media.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Goldcorp Mining Project in Guatemala Faces Cross Border Opposition – Upside Down World, April 6, 2010
Environmentalists from two countries are protesting mining activities that will pollute their water sources. The government has been criticized for being too lenient with corporations.
Mexico
Michelle Obama calls for US to lower demand for drugs from Mexico – CNN.com, April 15, 2010
The first lady believes the way to ease drug violence is to give people opportunities that steer them in a different direction. A future that includes education, decent work, and fair pay would allow people to make smarter choices.
India
Construction, at any cost – India Together, April 14, 2010
The Ministry of Environment is allowing further construction even though its own committee has advised against it. Political pressure is suspected.
Nepal
Reintegration Challenges for Maoist Female Ex-Combatants – IRIN News, April 14, 2010
Recently discharged female soldiers face a tricky challenge. Some are not willing to return to the traditional roles that await them. Others have been shunned from their former homes; most villagers are not ready to forget the death and destruction perpetrated by the Maoists.
South Africa
Drinking the Fog – IRIN News, April 13, 2010
This municipality’s success with harvesting water has inspired other drought-ravaged towns to do the same.
Zimbabwe
Worrying Rise in STIs Among Young People – All Africa, April 14, 2010
Zimbabwe’s youth face many challenges, including; lack of information, lack of access to services, sexual abuse, and early marriage. There is speculation that the too-narrow focus on HIV prevention has been detrimental to other programs.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Disappeared But Not Forgotten: A Guatemalan Community Achieves a Landmark Verdict – UpsideDownWorld.org, April 01, 2010
In a country where 99% of war crimes are untried and unresolved, a battle has been won. A member of the military was, for the first time in Guatemala’s history, found guilty of crimes against humanity.
Mexico
Interview: Climate Justice Organizing in Mexico – UpsideDownWorld.org, March 30, 2010
One veteran organizer doesn’t hold much hope for major world change with the 16th annual conference. He sees the conference as an opportunity to educate the Mexican people.
India
Women’s Reservation Bill: the 2010 Story – IndiaTogether.org, March 30, 2010
The article provides a thorough look at the strengths and weaknesses of this controversial bill.
Nepal
Internet connects deepest Nepal to ‘telemedics’ – Yahoo.com, March 31, 2010
District hospitals in the Himalayas will soon be linked to specialists in the capital. The system was designed to bring better healthcare to villagers in rural communities.
South Africa
R140m drought plan kicks in – IOL.co.za, April 06 2010
After 18 months of the worst drought in recent history, funding has been approved for a desalination plant. Currently the dam is less than 10% full.
Zimbabwe
Zim’s blood diamonds to become legal – IOL.co.za, April 04 2010
Murky politics may allow Zimbabwe’s diamonds to be legally sold again. The well-known abuses in the diamond fields temporarily took the diamonds off the market.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Central America
Cross-Border Cartels Dig in Their Heels – IPS News, Mar 22, 2010
While the war on drugs intensifies in Mexico, other countries feel the heat as cartels migrate. The Guatemalan president says, “When (Mexico) has a success, I have a problem.”
Mexico
Coalition Takes on the PRI in Oaxaca’s Crucial 2010 Elections – Upside Down World, March 30, 2010
Oaxaca may play a role in leveling the political playing field this year.
India
Schizophrenia of agricultural policy – India Together, March 27, 2010
India’s agricultural policies are all over the place regarding biodiversity, genetically modified crops, and food prices.
Nepal
Women tortured on charges of practicing witchcraft displaced – Nepal News, March 30, 2010
Three women were beaten after a man accused them of being witches. Police were present but unable to intervene.
Southern Africa
Celebrating local successes against gender violence – Pambazuka.org, March 26, 2010
The first Southern Africa Local Government and Gender Justice Summit and Awards included participants from 10 countries.
Zimbabwe
Men Take a Hands-On Approach to Pregnancy – AllAfrica.com March 30, 2010
Men in rural Zimbabwean are taking a hands-on approach to pregnancy – and to preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission.
IDEX Board member and adventurer, Diane Dodge, undertook a field visit to IDEX’s partners in South Africa and Zimbabwe over the holiday season. Diane began her trip in Zimbabwe and visited IDEX partner, Girl Child Network (GCN), in Hwange to learn more about their programs and the situation in Zimbabwe.
Diane first met with Ruth, GCN’s Program Officer. Ruth explained that in the last few years many people have left Zimbabwe because of the economic and political crises. This has created lots of vacancies in social organizations that work with GCN. Since there are fewer resources to connect with, there has been less support available. Although it has been a challenging time, GCN continues to provide counseling and support to the girls as well as tuition and school supplies.
GCN continues to plays a critical role in raising the profile of abuse in Zimbabwe. They support girls both in filing police reports and when they attend court to give evidence. GCN has been instrumental in encouraging people to speak out about abuse and persuading the courts to convict perpetrators.
After Zimbabwe, Diane traveled to meet several IDEX grantees in South Africa and spent some time in Cape Town. By chance, she found herself at a flea market one day where she started talking with a couple selling Zimbabwean artwork. She was delighted to discover that the woman, named Maurible, was not only from Zimbabwe, but that she had been a girl at Girl Child Network.
She greeted Diane warmly and shared her story. Maurible, now 21, credits GCN with saving her life and still regards herself as a GCN girl today. Maurible learned of GCN when she rescued from an abusive situation as a girl. GCN provided her school fees and supplies, and later she became an intern with them, in turn, helping other girls.
When the situation got really tough in Zimbabwe, GCN helped her raise some money to leave the country. Now she is in Cape Town and she says her life is good. She is married and has a little girl. The business is going well, too. Maurible says she will always appreciate GCN and hopes her daughter can experience such a powerful support program to help her find a place in the world.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Report of OHCHR on the activities of their office in Guatemala – Guatemala Times, March 25, 2010
The present report describes some key aspects of the human rights situation in Guatemala as well as the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in 2009.
India
Environment clearance: A sham again – IndiaTogether.org, March 22, 2010
Permission to build in ecologically sensitive areas is routinelly given without any true regulation behind it. Building projects and even expansions are commonly begun before clearence is received.
Mexico
Rare Worthen’s sparrow nest sites found in Mexico – BBC, March 22, 2010
Scientists are optimistic about the current number of existing sparrows. Conservationists are eager for new information that will help them increase the sparrows’ chances of survival.
Nepal
Ramping up the fight against child malnutrition – IRIN, March 16, 2010
Half of the children under age five suffer from chronic malnutrition. The government is renewing their efforts to tackle the situation and has coordinated different ministries to work together.
South Africa
What South Africa’s World Cup really means – Pambazuka.org, March 18, 2010
There are concerns that the World Cup will not bring much income to the country’s poorer citizens. FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is permitted to outlaw vendors within a kilometer of the event, and even to revoke any journalist’s license.
Zimbabwe
MDC begins campaign to name and shame perpetrators of violence – SW Radio Africa, March 23, 2010
Many of perpetrators of the 2008 election violence serve in parliament or the military. The MDC will be publishing their names this week with the hope of bringing some justice to the country.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
Guatemala: Off Track for Millennium Development Goals – Womensnet.org, March 03, 2010
Guatemala will not be able to reach its goal of halving the number of its citizens living in extreme poverty by 2015. The goal was set at an international summit in 2000 and is based on 1989 poverty figures.
Mexico
How Mexico gets it wrong – LA Times, March 16, 2010
The United Nations Human Rights Commission has criticized Mexico for its increase in human rights abuses in the name of fighting crime. This includes immunity for military personnel, arbitrary detention and a lack of transparency.
Latin America
Abortion in Latin America – Still Illegal, Still Killing, Despite Growing Awareness – UpsideDownWorld.org, March 10, 2010
This article explores the role of patriarchy, the feminist movement, and the church in Latin America’s anti-abortion stand.
India
India endorses Copenhagen climate accord, with conditions – CNN.com, March 10, 2010
India committed to reducing carbon emissions 20 to 25 percent by 2020 in a legally non-binding agreement.
Nepal
One-ninth of Nepal faces starvation, UN warns – MalaysiaNews.com, March 10, 2010
Food shortage, natural disasters, and sanitation and hygiene issues are all problematic. “An estimated 28,000 children die every year from preventable diseases.”
South Africa
Gender Loses Out in Basic Education Crisis – AllAfrica.com, March 11, 2010
Curriculum that promotes gender equality is overshadowed by the socio-economic problems faced by schools and students. Many schools lack water, electricity, teachers, or bathrooms.
Zimbabwe
Millions in Zimbabwe face hunger woes – BigPondNews.com, March 12, 2010
About a third of the population is facing starvation due to the drought. The Red Cross is on location but facing funding shortages.
A collection of breaking news stories about the countries where IDEX works, and the issues we address.
Guatemala
All Guatemalan Regions Improve Illiteracy Rates – Prensa-Latina, Mar 4, 2010
A Cuban literacy program is working towards eradicating illiteracy in all Guatemalan provinces.
India
Indian upper house approves women’s quota bill – BBC.co.uk, Mar 9, 2010
Parliament approved a bill to reserve a third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures for women. Currently women occupy about 10% of seats.
Mexico
Battle to Preserve Baja’s Whale Nursery Celebrated, but Threats Remain – OneEarth.org, Mar 8, 2010
A historic victory 10 years ago gave the whale population a chance to remain steady. Corporations, like Mitsubishi, are still interested in developing the area.
Nepal
Murders and death threats to silence Nepali media – Speroforum.com, Mar 06, 2010
The government recently acknowledged that police are concerned about media investigations into illegal police activities; this concern has led to the muder of prominent media figures.
South Africa
Zuma Wraps Up UK Visit – AllAfrica.com, Mar 5, 2010
President Jacob Zuma was in Britain attending a business seminar. The seminar will discuss climate change, the global economy, and international trade.
Zimbabwe
Government Revising Empowerment Rules – Chris Muronzi, AllAfrica.com, Mar 5, 2010
A business regulation designed to “broaden the ownership structures… as to also involve our own citizens” by suggesting 51% of shares to be sold to blacks.
Older Posts »
