insert_link Africa Sierra Leone bans child marriage with new law Sierra Leone has brought in a new law banning child marriage with much fanfare at a ceremony organised by First Lady Fatima Bio in the capital, Freetown. The BBC reports that invited guests, including first ladies from Namibia and Cape Verde, watched as her husband President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act into law. Anybody now involved in the marriage of a girl aged under the […] todayJuly 3, 2024 2
insert_link Namibia Electoral Commission Faces Criticism Over Gender Inclusivity in Voter Registration Policy The Electoral Commission says it will only register those people who are classified as male or female on their identification documentation. This comes amid concerns from activists and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and other communities about the lack of inclusivity for non-binary and transgender individuals. Activist Linda Baumann weighed in. todayJuly 3, 2024 6
insert_link World Assange’s wife says he needs time to ‘recuperate’ after release Wikileaks founder Julian Assange needs privacy and time to recover after more than five years in a high-security London prison, his wife Stella said after his return to Australia Wednesday. Assange wanted to attend a news conference soon after his arrival in the Australian capital but "you have to understand, he needs time, he needs to recuperate, and this is a process," she told reporters, apparently close […] todayJune 26, 2024 4
insert_link Africa Kenya state-backed rights body says 22 killed in Tuesday protests Twenty-two people were killed in Tuesday's protests in Kenya, a state-funded rights organisation said, vowing an investigation into what it described as "the largest number of deaths (in) a single day protest." "We have recorded 22 deaths... we are going to launch an inquiry," said Roseline Odede, chairwoman of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, adding that 19 people had died in the capital Nairobi, where […] todayJune 26, 2024 8
insert_link Local Solidarity and Support. Don’t Punish, with a focus on women and gender diverse people who use drugs – 26 June 2024 Y-Fem is a registered feminist human rights organization which is focused on feminism, women’s rights and movement building to ensure women’s can assert and demand their rights in all spheres of life. Y-Fem is focused on improving intersectional and inclusive coordination amongst organizations working in the women’s rights and feminist space in Namibia as well as movement building with a focus on rural grassroots level mobilizing. “Support. […] todayJune 26, 2024 3
insert_link Africa Forced evictions suppress Maasai spirituality & sacred spaces in Tanzania In March, the Tanzanian government issued a new round of eviction notices impacting Maasai communities: The first one was issued in Simanjiro district for the expansion of Tarangire National Park while the second was issued to eight villages for the expansion of the Kilimanjaro International Airport. Maasai elders and spiritual leaders say they fear and disapprove of the Tanzanian government’s decision of eviction that has disrupted their […] todayJune 25, 2024 5
insert_link Africa Kenyan protesters have taken to the streets in their thousands – what the law says about their rights By John Mukum Mbaku, Weber State University Across Kenya, thousands of mostly young citizens are protesting against tax proposals tabled by President William Ruto’s administration in its annual budget legislation. Using hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024 and #OccupyParliament, protesters have held demonstrations against the finance bill since 18 June 2024. They believe its proposals burden salaried Kenyans, entrepreneurs and consumers. They argue that it goes against […] todayJune 25, 2024 11
insert_link Local EU-funded project promotes and protects the rights of the marginalized San communities The EU-funded project “Empowering the San: Legal Capacity Building for Human Rights” has officially been activated following a successful two-day inception workshop held from 19 – 20 June 2024, in Windhoek. This project is aimed at strengthening the rights and legal capacities of San communities across Namibia. The workshop was attended by an esteemed gathering of Chiefs, San people from across Namibia, San traditional and community leaders, […] todayJune 24, 2024 17
insert_link Namibia High Court’s Landmark Ruling: A Victory for LGBTI Rights The High Court has declared the common law offences of sodomy and unnatural sexual offences unconstitutional, marking a historic victory for LGBTI rights in Namibia. This landmark ruling, initiated by activist Friedel Dausab, is a significant step towards ending discrimination and affirming constitutional rights. It aligns Namibia with global human rights standards, and civil society organisations are committed to working with the government to ensure its effective implementation and further […] todayJune 24, 2024 15
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
