insert_link Africa Kenya protests: Gen Z shows the power of digital activism – driving change from screens to the streets By Job Mwaura, University of the Witwatersrand Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in Kenya over a controversial tax bill. The Finance Bill 2024, initially presented to parliament in May, has sparked discontent with an increase in an array of taxes and levies for Kenyans. The mass protests, initially organised in the capital city, Nairobi, have spread across the country. Demonstrations have taken place in […] todayJune 24, 2024 13
insert_link Namibia Politicians urged to simplify manifestos to engage young voters https://youtu.be/94YOzZof2fs By: Valeria Handobe, via News on One Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Youth Leader and Head of Communications, Julia Nekwaya called on political parties to make their manifestos more digestible for young voters. Nekwaya was speaking at the EduVote panel discussion, hosted by the Global Shapers - Windhoek hub, which aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of young voters, encouraging them to actively engage […] todayJune 3, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Tanzania’s political parties have few women in leadership and candidate lists: some solutions By Victoria Melkisedeck Lihiru, The Open University of Tanzania Tanzania, in keeping with global political trends, reserves 30% of seats in parliament for women. These so-called special seats were introduced with multiparty politics in 1992, in response to the low numbers of women elected to positions of power. There were only eight elected female parliamentarians after the first multiparty elections in 1995. Ten years later, 17 […] todayMay 14, 2024 9
insert_link Namibia Youth reluctant to vote in upcoming elections. https://youtu.be/BdYbJa81628 By Finna Kahili As national elections approach, there is a concern about youth reluctance to vote despite calls for their participation. The turnout of young voters could significantly influence election outcomes and shape political priorities and policymaking. NewsOnOne interviewed several university students about the upcoming National Assembly and Presidential elections slated for 27 November this year. Students indicated they might participated in the voter […] todayMay 13, 2024 21
insert_link Africa Lagos’ slum dwellers are excluded from decisions that affect them. 3 ways to change that By Oluwaseyi Omowunmi Popogbe, Crawford University Lagos is a city of two halves: money dripping in the corridors of corporate offices, and stagnant water dripping in the slums that are home to over 20 million. Residents of informal settlements grapple with the daily challenges that come with inadequate infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and social exclusion. Social exclusion means being excluded from participating wholly in the […] todayApril 22, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa ANC loses case against the MK Party in SA Electoral Court The South African Electoral Court has dismissed the African National Congress's attempt to prevent a new party, backed by former President Jacob Zuma, from participating in the upcoming general election. The ANC had argued that uMKhonto weSizwe had not met the criteria for official registration. According to the SABC, the country’s electoral court on Tuesday morning rejected that challenge. The ANC, according to the BBC, has said it accepts the […] todayMarch 26, 2024 5
insert_link Namibia IPPR calls for youth involvement in 2024 election The Institute for Public Policy Research has warned that unless young people can be persuaded to take an interest in local politics, the country is likely to see a low election turnout. Here’s IPPR executive director Graham Hopwood with more. todayFebruary 19, 2024 10
insert_link Opinion Pieces Even with a 30% quota in place, Indonesian women face an uphill battle running for office By Sally White, Australian National University In the 2019 general election, Indonesians voted more women into the national parliament than ever before. After the first election of the post-authoritarian period in 1999, women’s representation was a paltry 8.8%, so the rise to 20.9% in 2019 seemed worth celebrating. Indeed, women activists had worked long and hard to reach this point. Disappointed with the results of the first […] todayFebruary 9, 2024 8
insert_link Africa Young Africans could disrupt authoritarian states but they don’t – here’s why By Lovise Aalen, Chr. Michelsen Institute and Marjoke Oosterom, Institute of Development Studies Africa has the world’s largest youth population. By 2030, 75% of the African population will be under the age of 35. The number of young Africans aged 15-24 is projected to reach 500 million in 2080. While population dynamics vary across the continent, most sub-Saharan countries have a median age below 19. Niger is the youngest country […] todayJanuary 8, 2024 26
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.
