KAMPALA, Mar 6 2019 (IPS) – Bakera excelled in school. As a girl who grew up in a rural, poor community, she had, against all odds, realized her education goals and was elated to go to the capital city, Kampala where…
Category: Op-Ed
Fighting destructive dams: Lessons from the masters
“Everybody loves us Lepchas,” said Tseten. He said this was a major reason that the group decided never to add violence in their fight to save the Teesta.
The misconceptions of contraception
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 1 2019 (IPS) – In light of rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies, governments are exploring ways to tackle taboos around condoms. In a new study, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reviews the availability and…
China’s treatment of Muslims a defining moment for OIC – HRW
Imagine a country where practicing Islam is treated as a crime. Where using the everyday greeting of “As-salaam alaikum” is punished. A place so repressive that even listening to a religious sermon at a mosque or reciting a funeral prayer…
UN accused of failing to move strongly against sexual abuse
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 27 2019 (IPS) – The United Nations, which prides itself with a “zero tolerance” policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, has come under relentless fire for failing to match its words with deeds—specifically in relation to some of…
Portugal’s ‘contraption’ govt: substance beyond rhetoric?
I was in a rush, running late to where I needed to be, which on 4th October 2015 was the electoral-results party of the Portuguese Bloco de Esquerda (Left Bloc), at Lisbon’s São Jorge cinema. So I took a cab. Cabs are…
Aid in reverse: How poor countries develop rich countries
By Jason Hickel We have long been told a compelling story about the relationship between rich countries and poor countries. The story holds that the rich nations of the OECD give generously of their wealth to the poorer nations of…
The impact of trade conflict on developing Asia
The 2018 trade conflict between the United States and the People’s Republic of China presents a stumbling block to the global manufacturing and international trade that has driven growth and prosperity in Asia. Findings suggest that if all documented threats…
Survivors protest sexual, gender violence in India
NEW DELHI, Feb 26 2019 (IPS) – In an historic first, thousands of people participated in a 10,000-kilometre long Dignity March across India to raise awareness about sexual violence, bring an end to stigma faced by survivors, and highlight the barriers women and…
Modern day slavery world’s largest single crime industry
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 25 2019 (IPS) – After an exhaustive study of modern day slavery, the Geneva-based International Labour Organization (ILO) concluded there are over 40 million people who are victims of slavery, including 25 million in forced labour and 15…
Why is protecting biodiversity in Africa important?
Because climate change alone can cause the loss of over half of African bird and mammal species, trigger a 20-30% decline in lake productivity, and a significant loss of plant species. Africa is home to a rich and diverse animal,…
Reverse engineering for SDGs
ROME, Feb 20 2019 (IPS) – When young people from small towns and villages seek higher education they have to usually migrate to big cities leaving their local communities behind. On completion of their degree from the Universities, they generally prefer…
Taking the lead in fight against climate change
PARIS, Feb 22 2019 (IPS) – As the grandchild of Jamaican citizens who moved to Great Britain, Monique Taffe says she inherited a tradition of recycling and learned not to be part of the “throwaway culture”, as some environmentalists have labelled…
Mining grabs up land, deals blow to agriculture
SAN SALVADOR, Feb 19 2019 (IPS) – Like an octopus, metals mining has been spreading its tentacles throughout Central America and dealing a blow to the region’s agriculture and natural ecosystems, according to affected villagers, activists and a new report on…
In the world of sustainability, colonialism is not dead
SINGAPORE, Feb 19 2019 (IPS) – Scandinavian fashion label and global It-brand Ganni hardly caused a stir recently when it closed Copenhagen Fashion Week with a sustainability-themed showcase titled “Life on Earth.” Considering that sustainability is now a consumer trend, it…
Iran’s Islamic Revolution at 40 – aiming at New World Order
By Firoz Osman Forty years ago a momentous event took place when the Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty, installed by the CIA, fled Iran, ushering in the Iranian Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on February 1, 1979. Western…
Poor quality employment a major challenge says ILO
Geneva (Kanaga Raja) – A majority of the 3.3 billion people employed globally in 2018 experienced a lack of material well-being, economic security, equal opportunities or scope for human development, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has found. In its latest…
Sexual violence surging in South Sudan
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 19 2019 (IPS) – Women and girls continue to face the brunt of violence in the northern region of South Sudan with persistently high and brutal levels of sexual violence, a new report found. Despite the signing of a peace…
The hidden drama of domestic workers: Roma the movie
STOCKHOLM / ROME, Feb 18 2019 (IPS) – Roma, a 2018 Mexican film written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is currently on a triumphal journey through the world. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, the best director and best foreign language…
‘Nothing for us, without us’
By Justus Wanzala Makuleni, Kenya, Feb 18 2019 (IPS) – Julia Mutua is a resident of Kalawa ward in the semi-arid Makueni County in Eastern Kenya and a member of a women’s farmers group that runs a poultry project. “Women…
Int’l aid feeds hope and fuels confrontation in Venezuela
CARACAS, Feb 16 2019 (IPS) – The international food and medical aid awaiting entry into Venezuela from neighboring Colombia, Brazil and Curacao is at the crux of the struggle for power between President Nicolás Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaidó,…
Abu Dhabi arms fair opens amid Yemen war criticism
United Arab Emirates, Feb 18 (AP/UNB) — The United Arab Emirates’ yearslong war in Yemen alongside Saudi Arabia bled into the start of a biennial Abu Dhabi arms fair Sunday, which saw the Emirates sign $1.3 billion in weapons deals.…
Newsletter from North-East: CAB row generate patriotism!
by Nava Thakuria As if the people of the northeast (NE) India became more conscious about India’s constitution, rule of law and its secular image abroad. So groups of people, including politicians, civil society group representatives, media personnel came to…
Bringing #MeToo to the Fashion Industry
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 15 2019 (IPS) – The global #MeToo movement has put a spotlight on sexual harassment and violence in various industries including the film and music industries. Is it now time for the fashion industry to address these issues…
Dismantling sexual health stigma in India
NEW DELHI, Feb 15 2019 (IPS) – Results from a survey with young and unmarried women suggest that as low as 1% of women have received information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) from their mothers, doctors or government…
China, India respond robustly to US paper on ‘differentiation’
Geneva, 15 Feb (D. Ravi Kanth) – China and India have offered a robust response to the United States over its attempts to “differentiate” among developing countries on which none of them could avail of special and differential treatment (S&DT)…
The loss of European memory
The greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression (1929-1939) has produced a crisis of democratic legitimacy not unlike the one that fuelled the rise of fascism in the interwar years. During the postwar era (1945-1989) collective memories of total war—as…
How devastating is climate change for world peace, security?
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 13 2019 (IPS) – When the Security Council, the most powerful body at the United Nations, met last month to discuss the growing new threats to world peace and security, the discussion veered away from international terrorism, nuclear…
Only immediate climate action can save the future
by John Scales Avery Only immediate climate action can save the future. If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilizations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon. A new book. I have…
Mildly cold weather more devastating than extreme temp
A study has revealed moderately cold temperatures (13.8 degree Celsius to roughly 30 degree Celsius) are responsible for a substantially greater number of deaths in comparison to extremely cold and hot temperatures in India, which struggles to shelter 1.8 million homeless people, amid temperature extremes.…