"UNFORGIVABLE", Selected Film for Women Against Rape (WAR)
Campaign for the 16 Days of Action Against Gender Based Violence rrom November 25th, the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10th, Human Rights Day.
Selected Film:
"UNFORGIVABLE", Nollywood romantic drama directed by Osezuah Elimihe is currently streaming on
In 1996, the United Nations general assembly declared November 21 World Television Day. The UN recognized television as having an increased impact on decision making as well as being an ambassador for the entertainment industry. Television is a symbol of communication and globalization that educates, informs, entertains and influences our decisions and opinions.
The first terrestrial television broadcast signals in West Africa occurred on Saturday October 31, 1959 and belonged to the Western Nigeria Television Service (WNTS). This was a critical milestone in Television history and today Africa boasts of over 600 television stations (excluding repeater stations.)
The launching of the TV in the Western Region of Nigeria made the Yorubas, the most educated people in Nigeria led by the most visionary African political leader in the 20th century, the great sage, Chief Ọbáfẹ́mi Awólọ́wọ̀, GCFR (6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987), Nigerian nationalist; one of the founding fathers of modern Nigeria and first Premier of the Western Region.
Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) began broadcasting on 31 October 1959 under the name Western Nigerian Government Broadcasting Corporation (WNTV), with Olapade Obisesan as its first Chairman. It was based in Ibadan and was the first television station in tropical Africa."
The First TV Image The city of Tashkent is home to the first image patent in television history. In 1926, scientists N.G. Piskunov, V.I. Popov and B.G. Grabovsky, on the recommendation of the famous professor of St. Petersburg University B.L. Rosing, managed to get a patent for their technological development, which was carried out based on the faculty of physics of the Central Asian State University (now NUUz).
On July 26, 1928, B.P. Grobovsky presented to the commission a non-audio tele-image transmitted from the territory of modern Amir Timur Square. It was a huge contribution to the development of television as a unique channel of mass information and communication.
Today, in Central Asia countries, television is the most accessible media channel for all segments of the population. The countries of the region are actively developing the private television sector, as well as cable, satellite and digital television.
To celebrate the World Television Day, I have started the script development of my "Black, Bold & Beautiful' reality TV series that will be ready for broadcast locally and globally in 2024.
"Black, Bold & Beautiful" is the celebration of black, bold and beautiful go-getter women in Nigeria, the rest of Africa and the Diaspora.
Today, we cannot celebrate the annual United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child with joy, because of the murder of innocent girls in Israel and Gaza since Saturday, October 7, 2023 when the Hamas terrorists attacked Israel in broad daylight and murdered hundreds of innocent people, including children and women.
The video of one of the Israeli girls murdered by Hamas is what Nigerians Report Online is showing today, because we cannot celebrate when fathers and mothers are mourning the murder of their innocent daughters.
The theme of the International Day of the Girl 2023 is "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being."
This can only be possible if we can guarantee the safety and security of girls in the world.
Girls are still being kidnapped, raped and held as captives by the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in northern Nigeria and by ISIS in the Middle East.
We support every effort to save all girls in location of conflicts; in Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Nigeria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran, the Americas and the rest of the world.
Let us pray for all the girls who cannot celebrate the annual International Day of the Girl Child today.
Video: Full Speech of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Address at the 78th UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
- UNGA 78, Sept. 18th - 26th, 2023.
United Nations General Assembly, New York, USA.
#PBATinUNGA #UNGA
Statement summary
BOLA AHMED TINUBU, President of Nigeria, said that, while failures in good governance have hindered Africa, “broken promises, unfair treatment and outright exploitation from abroad have also exacted a heavy toll on our ability to progress”. Due to both longstanding internal and external factors, the economic structures of Nigeria and Africa have been skewed to impede development, industrial expansion, job creation and the equitable distribution of wealth. If Nigeria is to fulfil its duty to its people and the rest of Africa, it must create jobs, a belief in a better future and lead by example. “And we are doing so,” he stressed, detailing his Government’s removal of a costly, corrupt fuel subsidy and a noxious exchange-rate system. “Other growth and job-oriented reforms are in the wings,” he added.
Welcoming partnerships with those “who do not mind seeing Nigeria and Africa assume larger roles in the global community”, he said that the question is not whether his country is open for business. Rather, he emphasized, it is “how much the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner”. Direct investment in critical industries, the opening of ports to a wider range and larger quantity of African exports and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of this cooperation. He also underlined the need to affirm democratic governance as “the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people”. Military coups are wrong — as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice — but he observed that the wave crossing Africa is not a demonstration in favour of coups. Rather, “it is a demand for solutions to perennial problems”, he said.
He went on to say that the West Africa region “is locked in protracted battle against violent extremists”, and — in the turmoil — “a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed”. Along that route, everything is for sale, and men, women and children are seen as chattel. At the same time, mercenaries and extremists invade from the north with lethal weapons and vile ideologies. While African nations will improve their economies and disband extremists on their turf, he called on the international community to strengthen its commitment to “arrest the flow of arms and violent people into West Africa”. Another important aspect of global solidarity is to secure Africa’s mineral-rich areas from pilfering and conflict, he stressed, noting that many such areas have become “catacombs of misery and exploitation” and that “the mayhem visited on resource-rich areas does not respect national boundaries”.
He said that, at Nigeria’s door, foreign entities — abetted by local criminals aspiring to be petty warlords — have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises, and Member States must deter their firms and nationals from this pillaging. He also detailed the severe impacts of climate change on his country, stating that African nations will fight climate change — “but must do so on fair and just terms”. Outlining several national measures, he said that continental efforts will register victories if established economies are “more forthcoming with public- and private-sector investment for Africa’s preferred initiatives”. Stressing that Africa does not wish to “replace old shackles with new ones”, he said that the continent is not a problem to be avoided, nor is it to be pitied. “Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future,” he said.
https://gadebate.un.org/en/78/nigeria
CONCLUSION
As I close, let me emphasize that Nigeria’s objectives accord with the guiding principles of this world body: peace, security, human rights and development.
In fundamental ways, nature has been kind to Africa, giving abundant land, resources and creative and industrious people. Yet, man has too often been unkind to his fellow man and this sad tendency has brought sustained hardship to Africa’s doorstep.
To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this year’s Assembly, the poverty of nations must end. The pillage of one nation’s resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must end. The will of the people must be respected. This beauty, generous and forgiving planet must be protected.
As for Africa, we seek to be neither appendage nor patron. We do not wish to replace old shackles with new ones.
Instead, we hope to walk the rich African soil and live under the magnificent African sky free of the wrongs of the past and clear of their associated encumbrances. We desire a prosperous, vibrant democratic living space for our people.
To the rest of the world, I say walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.
European Union (EU) Flagship Programme To End Violence Against Women Worldwide Shows Limited Impact So Far
The €500 million Spotlight Initiative has been an ambitious attempt by the European Commission, together with the UN, to ensure that women and girls around the world live free from violence and harmful practices
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg, September 11, 2023/ -- Almost one third of the €500 million in EU funding for the “Spotlight Initiative” went to its management by the United Nations; The initiative did not achieve its objective of attracting additional funding from new donors; Auditors call for better value for money and note risks to the sustainability of the activities.
The €500 million Spotlight Initiative has been an ambitious attempt by the European Commission, together with the UN, to ensure that women and girls around the world live free from violence and harmful practices. However, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors, this flagship EU programme for combating sexual and gender-based violence has shown little impact to date in terms of improving the situation of those it is intended to help. Despite positive achievements, the auditors found that the initiative could be managed more efficiently and could provide better value for money, as well as increasing the share of funding that reaches final beneficiaries to help more women and girls.
The Spotlight Initiative is a global strategic partnership between the EU and the UN to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in partner countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific and the Caribbean. Initially launched in 2017 for a period of four years, it was extended to the end of 2023 due to delays.
“Violence against women and girls has no place in the world, and no woman or girl should be left behind,” said Bettina Jakobsen, the ECA member in charge of the report. “Through the Spotlight Initiative, the EU has put more money than ever into ending such abuse, but more should reach final beneficiaries and we still need to see more impact.”
The auditors acknowledge that the initiative has benefited women and girls globally and helped to address violence. For instance, it has supported activities to prevent violence against women and girls, such as training and awareness campaigns, and services to victims of violence in all African and Latin American countries, albeit to different degrees and with varying levels of success. However, the initiative’s set-up only allows for a limited assessment of performance. Moreover, given its short time span and the fact that data are incomplete, it has not yet been possible to measure the improvement for beneficiaries, such as victims of violence or participants in training courses, and it is difficult to assess the extent to which it has achieved its intended results. There is no evidence that violence against women and girls has fallen in the countries covered.
External and internal factors led to challenges and delays in implementation. These included not only the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and domestic political changes, but also complex governance arrangements due to the number of UN organisations involved. The Commission’s choice of the UN as its implementing partner was a political decision in support of multilateralism. However, the UN’s costs of administering the initiative totalled $155 million (i.e. 31 % of the initiative’s total budget), leaving $351 million for the implementing partners and beneficiaries. Although the EU’s executive was aware that UN involvement entailed higher costs, it did not thoroughly compare the alternatives.
Despite being the sole funder, the EU has not always been given sufficient credit for funding visibility. Moreover, although the EU’s contribution was intended as seed funding to attract additional investors, no new donors have been found, and so results may not be sustained. The auditors also stress that the programme is not long enough to create lasting change on a complex issue which requires long-term actions and additional resources.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Court of Auditors (ECA).
Note to Editors:
The purpose of this press release is to convey the main messages of the European Court of Auditors’ special report. The full report is available at ECA.Europa.eu.
Press contact:
ECA press office:
press@eca.europa.eu
Damijan Fišer:
damijan.fiser@eca.europa.eu
M: (+352) 621 552 224
Claudia Spiti:
claudia.spiti@eca.europa.eu
M: (+352) 691 553 547
Vincent Bourgeais:
vincent.bourgeais@eca.europa.eu
M: (+352) 691 551 502
Background:
The Spotlight Initiative is founded on the ‘Theory of Change’ and its six pillars supporting policies and legislation, institutions, prevention, services, data, and women’s movements. This approach is complemented by the “leaving no one behind” principle, including measures to focus on marginalised populations. The initiative receives EU funding of €497 million (€250 million for Africa alone), €465 million of which is managed by the UN in more than 26 countries on four continents. The remaining €32 million is managed by the EU through civil society organisations; other donors have committed only symbolic amounts. An estimated one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once since the age of 15. According to data from the Initiative, in some countries the share of people who think it is justifiable for a man to beat his partner fell in 2021, but the figure actually went up in some Latin American and African countries. In Latin America, none of the supported programmes recorded a fall in cases of femicide.
ECA special report 21/2023 “The Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls – ambitious but so far with limited impact” is available on the ECA’s website (ECA.Europa.eu).
TECNO Continues Partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) To Support More Refugees in Africa for Higher Education
At the end of 2022, over 108.4 million people were forcibly displaced, up 19.1 million on a year earlier, marking the largest ever single-year increase
TECNO continues partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support more refugees in Africa for higher education (1)
(Source: TECNO Mobile | 2 hours ago)
TECNO continues partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support more refugees in Africa for higher education (2)
BEIJING, The People's Republic of China, June 20, 2023/ -- Innovative technology brand TECNO (www.TECNO-Mobile.com) announced today the strengthened partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support its Refugee Scholarships Programme DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) for the second year. The partnership aims to provide higher education and internship opportunities to refugee scholars in Africa, unlocking their full potential to thrive as adults, and ultimately contributing to equal access to education for all.
At the end of 2022, over 108.4 million people were forcibly displaced, up 19.1 million on a year earlier, marking the largest ever single-year increase. Higher education is vital in restoring hope and dignity to people driven from their homes. DAFI programme supports refugee students around the world through full scholarships for undergraduate studies. The aim of the programme is to help promote refugee self-reliance through increased access to opportunities to earn academic qualifications, develop knowledge and skills to improve preparedness for employment and entrepreneurship, and to empower students to contribute to host communities during displacement and upon return.
With support from TECNO and other partners, a total of 2,533 new refugee scholars were enrolled in higher education with DAFI scholarships in 2022 and the refugee tertiary education enrollment rate has increased from 3% in 2020 to 6%. Through the renewed partnership, 20 more refugee scholars will be provided with essential tuition costs, and related support for things like transport and books – which can be crucial to enable young people to complete their studies. In addition, TECNO will provide internship opportunities at its branches or subsidiaries in Africa for refugee students if the national policy allows and their qualifications match the positions.
TECNO has been partnering with UNHCR to support refugee’s education since 2020. From Educate A Child (EAC) programme to support the improvement of refugee children’s education in Africa, ensuring refugee children’s right to education and ultimately contribute to equal access to education for all; to DAFI scholarship to increase the access for young refugees to tertiary education and employment opportunities.
Vanno Noupech, UNHCR Representative in China, expressed appreciation for TECNO’s continued support. “UNHCR welcomes this renewed partnership,” he said. “Investing in tertiary education is an investment not just in the students – the leaders and role models for tomorrow – but in their communities. We hope more private sector partners like TECNO will join hands with UNHCR to address gaps in refugee education globally and spread the message of solidarity.”
Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO said, “As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility endeavours, TECNO keeps giving back to the communities where our business is present. With strengthened partnership with UNHCR in the DAFI programme, we continue to support more young refugees to access higher education, acquire knowledge, develop skills, and help them build a better life for themselves, make positive contributions to their communities, and work together for a brighter future for Africa.”
Launched in 1992, UNHCR’s Refugee Scholarship programme DAFI is the largest and longest running higher education refugee scholarship in the world. To date, DAFI has supported over 21,000 young refugee women and men to obtain a higher education qualification. The DAFI programme was implemented in 55 countries in 2021. Africa is DAFI’s largest programme region with 34 countries.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TECNO Mobile.
For more information about the press release, please contact: Transsion Holdings Wen Wen, Corporate PR wen.wen@transsion.com
UNHCR Representation in China Chen Yao, Communication/Public Information Associate cheny@unhcr.org
About the UNHCR: UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency, a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. UNHCR leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers life-saving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. For over 70 years, the organization has helped tens of millions of people restart their lives in partnership with governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector. In recognition of its work, UNHCR was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981. For more information, please visit: www.UNHCR.org
About TECNO: TECNO is an innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 countries and regions across five continents. Since its launch, TECNO has been revolutionizing the digital experience in emerging global markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies. Today, TECNO has developed into a recognized leader in its target markets, delivering state-of-the-art innovation through a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. Guided by its brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO is committed to unlocking the best and newest technologies for forward-looking individuals. By creating stylish, intelligent products, TECNO inspires consumers worldwide to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information, please visit TECNO’s official site: www.TECNO-Mobile.com
UN Member States Cast Their Votes To Secure A Better Urban Future For All
The second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly opens in Nairobi, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya (5 June 2023) – The second United Nations Habitat Assembly, #UNHA2, opens with a call for sustainable urban development and effective multilateralism to create more livable, sustainable, and resilient cities to emerge stronger after crises.
The Assembly is taking place from 5 to 9 June 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. It is hosted by the government of Kenya in collaboration with UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme.
More than 80 Ministers and Vice Ministers, plan to attend the second session of the UN Habitat Assembly. Almost 5,000 delegates from around the world are representing member states and stakeholders at the Assembly.
The President of Kenya, William Ruto, will open the Assembly. The First Lady of Kenya, Rachel Ruto, will host the inaugural First Ladies Roundtable on women and their role in placemaking in cities on 6 June 2023.
“We must flip the script about cities. Cities are not only the source of problems. They can create and scale solutions. If planned, built, and managed well, they are the most sustainable form of human settlement and the answer to the climate emergency,” said the UN-Habitat Executive Director, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, ahead of the opening. “Local action and effective and inclusive multilateralism are indispensable for global progress.
The five-day programme includes a high-level dialogue of the heads of state, thematic debates, and dialogues focusing on universal access to affordable housing, urban climate action, urban crises recovery, localization of the SDGs, and prosperity and local finance.
More than 30 side events will showcase innovative approaches and transformative actions linked to the five key areas highlighted in the report of the Executive Director on the special theme of the second United Nations Habitat Assembly.
At the Urban Expo, more than 50 exhibitors will showcase urban projects, best practices, and cutting-edge solutions to tackle the challenges of housing, transport, energy, and climate change. The expo includes a special highlight showcasing 45 years of sustainable urbanization in Kenya.
The UN Member States will cast their votes with a number of resolutions expected to be tabled to guide regional, national, and local governments to secure a better urban future for all. These include:
International guidelines on people-centered smart cities
Accelerating the transformation of informal settlements and slums by 2030
World Clean-up Day
Biodiverse and resilient cities
Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals
Adequate housing for all
The five-day session will conclude with a Ministerial Declaration upon reaching an agreement. You can watch the live stream from the official opening press conference of the second United Nations Habitat Assembly on 5 June 2023 at 2:00 PM (EAT).
About the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly (UNHA2)
The second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly will be held from 5 to 9 June 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the session is “A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises.”
The United Nations Habitat Assembly is the global authority on urban trends and policies. It convenes once in four years. 193 UN Member States cast their votes, while participants also include non-Member States, other UN bodies and specialized agencies, as well as intergovernmental organizations, civil society, private sector, academia and research institutions, women, youth and children, and grassroots organizations.
About the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for sustainable urbanization. It has programmes in over 90 countries that support policymakers and communities to create socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns. UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in cities through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action.
Ubongo Launches Girl Champion Campaign Toolkit in Celebration of the Day of the Girl Child
The Ubongo Girl Champion campaign toolkit invites the public to partake in hosting screenings of Ubongo’s girl-power episodes for girls and boys of ages 7 to 14
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, October 11, 2022/ -- Africa’s leading creator and producer of children’s educational media, Ubongo (www.Ubongo.org), is delighted to announce the launch of Ubongo Girl Champion campaign toolkit as a resource to inspire action for the Girl Child. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to amplify African girls’ voices and experiences in a fun and educational way.
“We believe that girls’ voices should always be amplified no matter the day. Today simply marks the start of a journey to empower the general public to become advocates for the girl child. Through the campaign toolkit, we are leading a movement to celebrate girls in all of their glory and invest in a future that believes in their agency, leadership and potential,” said Ubongo’s Outreach and Communications Manager, Tamala Maerere-Kateka.
The Ubongo Girl Champion campaign toolkit invites the public to partake in hosting screenings of Ubongo’s girl-power episodes for girls and boys of ages 7 to 14. The screenings can take place in both formal and informal settings, such as, at home, at school, in girl-focused programs and at the community level. Those who take part in hosting the girl-power episodes will stand a chance to win an Ubongo Girl Champion award in recognition of the incredible work being done to celebrate and champion girls. The public is encouraged to use #UbongoGirlChampion and tag @ubongokids (https://bit.ly/3CNZkrh) when sharing posts about their screenings on social media platforms to help with the recognition process.
To support the girl-power episode screenings, Ubongo has also created a guide to help with the registration and setting up of girl-led Utu Clubs to empower girls in different communities. Utu Clubs are a fun, interactive way for kids to build knowledge and skills in STEM, do good in their community and work together to act with Utu (shared humanity).
Research shows that girls learn as much as boys from Ubongo edutainment (Borzekowski, 2017). The episodes will introduce viewers to the five remarkable girls of Ubongo Kids (Kibena, Kiduchu, Amani, Nina and Tabasamu) who navigate and overcome challenges while learning STEM and 21st century life skills.
“We are already elevating learning for over 31 million African kids, and our vision is to equip the 500 million kids in Africa with the educational foundation, critical skills, and mindsets to change their lives and the world,” added Mrs. Kateka.
To access the Ubongo Girl Champion campaign toolkit and Utu Club guide, visit www.UbongoKids.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ubongo.
About Ubongo: Ubongo is Africa's leading producer of kids' edutainment. As a non-profit social enterprise they create fun, localised and multi-platform educational content that helps kids learn, and leverage their learning to change their lives. Ubongo reaches over 31 million families across Africa through accessible technologies like TV, radio and mobile phones. Learn more about Ubongo at www.Ubongo.org
Nigerians Report Online reached a new milestone today, Saturday, April 30, 2022 by getting over 200, 000 pageviews within 30 days without any promotion or publicity.
This Month201174
Last Month178431
Nigerians
Nigerians Report Online has been the only Nigerian news media committed to the advocacy for the education of underprivileged girls out of school in Nigeria since 2013 and the first and foremost organizer of the annual United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child in Nigeria since October 11, 2013 with totally free Nigerian premieres of acclaimed documentary films: "Girl Rising"in 2013 and "HE NAMED ME MALALA" in 2014 for over 300 secondary school girls and hosted the NIgerian premiere of "In The Name Of Your Daughter" in May, 2019.
All the events were held at Silverbird Cinemas in the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Nigerians Report Online is published by my duly incorporated digital media company, International Digital Post Network Limited.
We thank Almighty God for the progress and success.
Great nations are not built by making great speeches, but by doing great things for human development and nation building.
- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, author of "Children of Heaven", "Scarlet Tears of London", "Diary of the Memory Keeper", "The Prophet Lied" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers worldwide.
The 2021 theme is: 'Digital generation. Our generation.' This theme is a call for equal access to the internet for girls as well as digital devices. It also supports targeted investments to facilitate opportunities for girls to safely and meaningfully access, use, design and lead technology.
For International Day of the Girl (11 October) 2021, girls from across the world are speaking up against false information online.
UN Women has said on its website girls are a "fundamental source of transformational change for gender equality, and technology is a crucial tool to support their work, activism and leadership".
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person” – Mother Teresa
"My mother always told me, ‘hide your face people are looking at you.' I would reply, ‘it does not matter; I am also looking at them.” – Malala Yousafzai
My Voice, Our Equal Future
Digital generation. Our generation.
Girls know their digital realities and the solutions they need to excel on their diverse pathways as technologists for freedom of expression, joy, and boundless potential. Let’s amplify the diversity of these tech trailblazers while simultaneously widening the pathways so that every girl, this generation of girls – regardless of race, gender, language, ability, economic status and geographic origin – lives their full potential.
In 2021 we commemorate the Generation Equality Forum (GEF), launching 5-year commitments from civil society leaders, governments, corporations and change makers from around the world for bold gender equality impacts. At the same time, we are in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated digital platforms for learning, earning and connecting, while also highlighting girls’ diverse digital realities
The gender digital divide in connectivity, devices and use, skills and jobs is real. It is an inequity and exclusion gap across geographies and generations that is our challenge to address if the digital revolution is to be for all, with all, by all. Let’s seize the momentum to drive action and accountability of GEF commitments made, for and with girls to achieve a bold vision of bridging the digital gender divide.
Ways to get involved
Share stories / blogs / videos of inspiring adolescent girls who are tech trailblazers while collectively amplifying our call to action to expand these pathways for every girl, everywhere.
Amplify your GEF and other commitments to address the gender digital divide experienced by today’s generation of girls, illustrating that we must take a strong generational gender lens to the digital divide if we are to achieve meaningful and sustainable change for a digital revolution by, with and for all.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day
Photos Courtesy of Dreamtime
httpshttps://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/computer-kid-africa.html
Côte d'Ivoire / West African Immigrants Massacred / UN Imposes Strong Measures on Gbagbo; Greater Civilian Protection Needed
DAKAR, March 31, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Ivorian militias and Liberian mercenaries loyal to Laurent Gbagbo killed at least 37 West African immigrants in a village near the border with Liberia on March 22, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today. In response to the intensifying abuses and descent into civil war, the United Nations Security Council on March 30 imposed strong measures on Gbagbo, the incumbent president, who has refused to step down and cede power to his rival, Alassane Ouattara.
Witnesses in Côte d'Ivoire told Human Rights Watch that armed men, some in uniform and others in civilian clothes, massacred the villagers, presumed to be Ouattara supporters, possibly in retaliation for the capture of nearby areas by pro-Ouattara forces. Several other witnesses described numerous incidents in which real or perceived Ouattara supporters were killed by pro-Gbagbo security forces and militiamen in Abidjan. Ouattara's troops are spreading south and east, seizing several key towns, including the political capital, Yamoussoukro, and moving toward Abidjan, the commercial capital, in a very fluid situation.
“Côte d'Ivoire has reached the boiling point,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “We are extremely concerned about the potential for further human rights atrocities, given the killings by both sides and the continued incitement to violence through the media by Gbagbo cronies.”
In a four-month organized campaign of human rights abuses, which probably rise to the level of crimes against humanity, Gbagbo's forces have killed, “disappeared,” and raped real and perceived supporters of Ouattara, Human Rights Watch has found. Armed men supporting Ouattara have also engaged in numerous extrajudicial executions of presumed pro-Gbagbo fighters and supporters.
According to UN estimates, approximately 500 people, the vast majority civilians, have lost their lives as a result of the violence. In March alone, forces aligned with Gbagbo killed at least 50 civilians by firing mortars into neighborhoods known to be Ouattara strongholds. Pro-Gbagbo forces have also beaten and hacked and burned to death numerous perceived Ouattara supporters at checkpoints set up by militias.
On March 25, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that between 700,000 and one million people have been displaced, largely from Abidjan. On March 29, UNHCR reported that 116,000 Ivorians have fled to eight West African countries: Liberia, Ghana, Togo, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Nigeria.
On March 30, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution that calls on Gbagbo to leave office and urges a political solution to the crisis. The resolution demands an end to violence against both civilians and the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI). It urges the UN operation to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.
In addition, the Security Council resolution calls upon all parties to cooperate fully with an international commission of inquiry put in place in late March by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate human rights violations committed in Côte d'Ivoire. Finally, the resolution adopts targeted sanctions against Gbagbo and four close associates, including his wife, Simone.
Human Rights Watch has urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and end the targeting of civilians and extrajudicial executions, and has called for UN peacekeepers to enhance civilian protection. The UN operation needs equipment, such as helicopters, as well as additional deployments of well-trained and equipped troops, Human Rights Watch said.
Human Rights Watch has also stressed the importance of accountability for atrocities. The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has repeatedly indicated that it will prosecute crimes committed in Côte d'Ivoire if the ICC's requirements for investigation – which relate to the gravity of the crimes and the inadequacy of national proceedings – are met. An investigation could be triggered by a referral of the situation by the UN Security Council or any state that is party to the court, or if the prosecutor decides to act on his own authority. While Côte d'Ivoire is not a party to the court, it accepted the court's jurisdiction through a declaration in 2003. The Security Council resolution references this declaration and states that the report of the commission of inquiry should be provided to the Security Council and “other relevant international bodies.”
“The massacre of West African immigrants, targeting of civilians in Abidjan, and massive displacement are deeply troubling and require an effective response,” Bekele said. “The UN should prepare for the worst and do all it can to protect everyone in Côte d'Ivoire who is at grave risk of horrific abuse.”
Massacre at Bedi-Gouzan
Human Rights Watch interviewed five witnesses to the March 22 massacre by pro-Gbagbo militias of at least 37 West African immigrants. The killings took place in the village of Bedi-Gouzan, 32 kilometers from the town of Guiglo in western Côte d'Ivoire, the day after combatants loyal to Ouattara had captured the nearby town of Blolequin. Bedi-Gouzan is home both to Ivorians and to an estimated 400 other West Africans, most of whom work on the cacao plantations in western Côte d'Ivoire. The witnesses said that many of the attackers, who spoke English, appeared to be Liberian, while the vast majority of victims were immigrants from Mali and Burkina Faso.
The witnesses said armed men fighting on behalf of Ouattara passed through Bedi-Gouzan as they advanced toward Guiglo at approximately 1 p.m. on the day of the attack. At about 3:30 p.m., witnesses said, at least four cars containing scores of pro-Gbagbo militiamen, some in military and some in civilian dress, and some speaking English while others spoke French, attacked the part of the village where the West African immigrants live. The witnesses said the militiamen killed the immigrants inside their homes and as they attempted to flee.
Human Rights Watch received a list of 27 Malian victims, but witnesses said that the Malians' relatives, who had fled into the surrounding forest and later briefly returned to the village, counted up to 40 dead. The witnesses said the attackers were armed with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and machetes. The witnesses believed their village had been attacked in reprisal for the military advance in the area by armed Ouattara supporters. As the attackers left, they pillaged and in some instances burned houses, looting any items of value, including motorcycles, money, televisions, mattresses, and clothing.
Several witnesses described a clear ethnic element to the targeting of victims. A 36-year-old witness said: “They came in accusing us of being rebels, and said, ‘If you're Dioula (from Northern Côte d'Ivoire), you can try to flee if you can, if you're Guere (natives of the area and largely supporters of Gbagbo), stay, we're not concerned with you. But if you're Malian or Mossi (Burkinabe, from Burkina Faso), we will kill you.' And then they started killing.”
An 18-year old Malian woman described hearing the attackers yelling, “Fire them, fire them all,” in English as they descended from their vehicles and started to kill. She said she and many other women and children were saved by a female Liberian rebel who intervened to stop them from being killed.
A few witnesses, including a 16-year-old interviewed by Human Rights Watch, were wounded by machetes during the attack: “They beat me, saying they were going to cut my throat; they slashed my arms with a machete saying we were rebels.”
He and others, like this 28-year-old Malian man, survived after paying money to the attackers:
At around 3 p.m. we heard the sound of heavy trucks coming, and ran into our houses. The men fired into the air, then started breaking down the doors…saying, “Fire, fire” and, “You're rebels, we'll kill all of you.” We heard shots, and screams. They were killing people. My family and I were cowering in our home; after breaking down my door they screamed that I should give them money, or they'd kill me. I gave them all I had - 84,000 CFA, and the keys to 3 motorcycles. I begged them not to kill me….I was terrified…but it saved my life. The commander said, “If it wasn't for this money, you'd be dead.” But not everyone had money… they killed a Burkinabe man in front of me…and later in a nearby house, I saw them kill 5 women… just a few meters away. They screamed, “Give us money!” The women pleaded saying they didn't have any….then they shot them…three inside the house, two just outside. They ordered four of us to carry the goods they looted to their truck…. As I walked through the village I saw at least 20 bodies and heard women and children wailing.… I saw them setting houses on fire and was told some villagers were burned inside.
A 34-year-old man from Burkina Faso described seeing 25 people killed, and noted what he believed to be a clear motive for the attack:
As they were killing people, they accused us of being rebels…They said other things in English that I couldn't understand. I saw 25 people killed with my own eyes. They killed women, with children, with men. They said they'd kill us all. They forced the people out and they killed them, just like they said. Most people who live there in the village are Burkinabe, Malians, and Senoufo (an ethnic group from Northern Côte d'Ivoire.) They killed people in front of the door to their house after pulling them out. One man opened his door, two guys dragged him out, and they fired their Kalashes [Kalashnikov rifles] into him. Also I saw an entire family killed. The man, two wives, the man's little brother, and their kids – two kids 9 and 5 years old. They killed them like it was nothing.
Ethnic Targeting in Abidjan
Since armed men loyal to Ouattara attempted to expand their control of areas in Abidjan into the Adjame and Williamsburg neighborhoods on March 16, dozens of civilians have been killed, either deliberately, or through excessive use of force. Immigrants from West Africa and active members of political parties allied to Ouattara were particularly targeted.
A 40 year-old man from Burkina Faso was one of nine West African immigrants detained by armed and uniformed men he believed to be policemen at a checkpoint in Adjame on March 29, and later taken into a police station and shot. Six of the men died, and the other three, including the witness, were wounded:
At 8:30 a.m., I was stopped by a checkpoint in Adjame on my way to work. They asked for my ID and after seeing my name, told me to get into a 4x4 nearby. I got in; there were 8 others there. The police vehicle took us to the 11th police commissariat. Just behind the commissariat there is a camp, which is where all happened. The police pushed us in and yelled at us, “Are you brothers of the rebellion?” I said no but obviously it wasn't a real question. Then they said, “If you are Burkinabe, go over there to the left. If you are Malian, go to the left.” So we all went left. Then they turned left and fired on us…6 of us died. I got shot in the arm and the kidneys and it looked bad so they left me for dead. The police left directly after. It was clear they were police because of their uniform; even the 4x4 was a police vehicle, marked as such, and the camp was the police camp at the commissariat. Two of the dead were Burkinabes; I learned the other six were Malian, including the two other survivors. I couldn't sleep last night because of the sutures and the memories. I will try tonight.
An Ivorian driver described the March 28 killing of three Malian butchers by militiamen wearing black T-shirts and red armbands, which are typically worn by neighborhood militiamen. The men shot the butchers as they were in the process of fetching a cow in the Williamsville neighborhood. A Senegalese man who was shot in the arm in the Adjame neighborhood by armed men in uniform on March 17 described how two of his Senegalese friends were shot dead in the same incident: “The armed men pointed their guns at them shot them…they didn't ask them any questions, they just shot them point blank.”
Another witness described the March 30 killing of a civilian who was stopped at a militia checkpoint in Adjame:
At noon, the militiamen stopped a pick-up truck and asked the driver and his apprentice for their ID papers. The driver was told to go ahead, but they pulled the apprentice out of the passenger seat and fired four times at him; his body is still in the street. This is their way of targeting foreigners…they judge your background from your ID papers. If you're an ECOWAS national or from the north, they take you out and – too often – shoot and kill. With some ten such checkpoints in Adjame now, these kinds of incidents and killings are becoming the norm.
Another witness described how he saw local militiamen conducting house-to-house searches and manning checkpoints on March 21 and 22 in Williamsville. He said he saw them kill three people, including two of his friends who were murdered in his house.
The violence in Adjame provoked the mass exodus of West African immigrants and Ivorians of northern descent from Abidjan or led them to take refuge in West African embassies.
For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Côte d'Ivoire, please visit:
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