insert_link World According to Ireland’s constitution, a woman’s duties are in the home – but a referendum could be about to change its sexist wording Shutterstock/Everett Collection Laura Cahillane, University of Limerick On March 8 – International Women’s Day – Irish citizens will vote in a referendum on whether or not to replace the so-called “woman in the home” clause in the Irish constitution. This clause, which dates from 1937, specifies that: “The State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot […] todayFebruary 7, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Burundi’s quota for women in politics has had mixed results, but that’s no reason to scrap it By Reginas Ndayiragije, University of Antwerp; Petra Meier, University of Antwerp, and Stef Vandeginste, University of Antwerp Since 2005, Burundi has set quotas to ensure that the country’s three ethnic groups (Hutu, Tutsi and Twa), as well as women, are represented in its parliament, central government and municipal administrations. Its constitution states that women should make up at least 30% of these institutions. The senate, Burundi’s highest chamber […] todayJanuary 31, 2024 5
insert_link Business / Economics Women still face gender inequalities at work post-pandemic Women are still feeling the effects of COVID-19 , which resulted in job losses and reduced opportunities for women in the workforce. (Shutterstock) Claudine Mangen, Concordia University The COVID-19 pandemic brought the longstanding economic inequalities between women and men into sharp focus. From the onset of the pandemic, up until the summer of 2022, economic gender gaps continued to widen. Lockdowns and economic uncertainties created a perfect storm, leading to […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 7
insert_link Business / Economics New Global alliance for women’s health could help boost global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040 A new World Economic Forum report released today shows that closing the women’s health gap would allow more women to live healthier, higher-quality lives, and provide an unprecedented boost to the global economy. Closing the Women’s Health Gap: A $1 Trillion Opportunity to Improve Lives and Economies, developed in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute, analyses the health conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women and quantifies the health gap […] todayJanuary 19, 2024 18
insert_link Namibia Government promotes education for marginalized communities Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare deputy director of marginalized communities, Rebekka Namwandi, has encouraged learners from marginalized communities to improve their academic performance through the Namibia College of Open Learning. According to the Namibia Press Agency, only three out of 51 learners in the ministry's program for marginalized communities qualified for tertiary education in the 2023 exams. The ministry provides financial and psychosocial support to learners […] todayJanuary 17, 2024 23
insert_link Africa Mozambique: EIB Global and Moza Banco provide €20 million to grow women-led businesses The EIB Global and Moza Banco initiative, as part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, will offer financing for small and medium-sized businesses in Mozambique, with a focus on businesses owned or run by women. Women are less likely to be able to access appropriate finance for their business, and the EIB-Moza Banco facility will address that financing gap. The project will support economic growth, […] todayDecember 21, 2023 38
insert_link 6 Namibia Local labour expert weighs-in on paternal leave following milestone ruling Following the South African High Court's decision to allow new parents to share four months of parental leave, previously exclusive to mothers, and the global trend of countries offering paid leave to fathers increasing from 25% in 1995 to 63% in 2022, we reached out to local Labor Expert Herbert Jauch, for comment. todayDecember 13, 2023 40 6
insert_link Namibia President Hage Geingob says progress has been made in gender equality President Hage Geingob says progress has been made in gender equality, with Namibia recognised as a country that has done well in female representation in Parliament and leadership positions. However, he said more should be done to eliminate the challenges that women continue to face in various aspects of life, including gender-based violence, unequal access to opportunities, and societal biases. The Head of State joined Namibians and the international community […] todayDecember 12, 2023
insert_link Namibia Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr: We Should Think Creatively About Climate Financing for African Women By Kate Okorie, via bird story agency Approval and funding for the eagerly anticipated Loss and Damage Fund on the first day of the United Nations climate change conference, or COP28, in Dubai, was widely lauded. The Fund will assist developing countries battling climate crises. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Sierra Leonean politician and finance professional currently serving as Freetown's mayor and Co-Chair of C40 cities, called for the fund to be distributed […] todayDecember 8, 2023 35