Much has changed since Rahti Begum, a fisherwoman in Kashmir, now in her late 60s, first began wandering the streets with a bucketful of fish on her head. She was 17 when her father roped her into the business that…
Category: Op-Ed
Unaddressed domestic violence puts women at risk in Russia
Philippa H Stewart, Senior Media Officer Domestic violence was already pervasive in Russia. Then in February 2017, parliament decriminalized first instances of battery among family members. Some took this as confirmation that beating their wives is acceptable. Yulia Gorbunova spoke to…
Books about food to celebrate Fall
From Danielle Nierenberg To celebrate this fall season, Food Tank is highlighting 19 books about food policy, nutrition science, healthy eating, justice, and farming. With these books, readers will be able to immerse themselves in new roles as activists, brewers,…
Is there a remittance trap?
Workers’ remittances—the money migrants send home to their families—command the attention of economists and policymakers because of their potential to improve the lives of millions of people.
The invisible, hungry hand
The very people who help put food on our tables often face numerous human rights violations, forcing them go to bed hungry.
Solar power lights up world’s fastest-growing refugee camp
By Dr Iftikher Mahmood Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct 23, 2018 (IPS) – Solar energy has long powered homes, businesses and portable electronics. Now, it’s powering a field hospital in the middle of the world’s fastest-growing refugee camp.
Over 200mn women still waiting for modern contraception
By Thalif Deen Ottawa, Canada, Oct 23 (IPS) – The international community will be commemorating two milestones in the history of population and development next year: the 50th anniversary of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the 25th anniversary of…
The right to choose
Reproductive choice can transform the world and our goals towards a sustainable society, a new report says.
Mitigating India’s climate-change misery
Gulrez Shah Azhar Santa Monica – The record-setting heat that blanketed the planet this summer was a sticky reminder that as global temperatures increase, people on the margins of society – the sick, the elderly, and the poor – will…
Developing countries losing out to digital giants
A new United Nations report warns that the potential benefits to developing countries of digital technologies are likely to be lost to a small number of successful first movers who have established digital monopolies.
Offender registry not enough to curb sexual violence
India recently launched a sex offender registry to deter sex offenders from perpetrating crimes against women and children by indicating that the government is keeping track of them. The personal details of 440,000 sex offenders who have been convicted for…
Caribbean nations pay for climate change caused by others
Although their contribution to global warming is negligible, Caribbean nations are bearing the brunt of its impact. Climate phenomena are so devastating that countries are beginning to prepare not so much to adapt to the new reality, but to get…
UN vote on Palestine a humiliating defeat for US
By Thalif Deen Reprint UN, Oct 17 2018 (IPS) – Nikky Haley, the vociferously anti-Palestine US Ambassador to the United Nations, warned member states last year she will “take down names” of those who vote against American interests in the…
Students go green to end global energy poverty
In Africa, over 640 million people – almost double the population of United States – have no access to electricity, with many relying on dirty sources of energy sources for heating, cooking and lighting.
About 820 million people still suffer from hunger: UN chief
By António Guterres U.N. Secretary-General’s message on World Food Day UN, Oct 16 2018 (IPS) – In our world of plenty, one person in nine does not have enough to eat. About 820 million people still suffer from hunger. Most of…
World Food Day: Take a holistic approach to food production
From Danielle Nierenberg October 16 is World Food Day. It can be a day of action, dedicated to tackling hunger and ensuring food security and nutrient-dense diets for everyone. Food should nourish and nurture people, society, and the planet, but…
True cost of a plate of food around the world
How much would you expect to pay for the most basic plate of food? The kind of thing you might whip up at home – nothing fancy, just enough to fill you up and meet a third of today’s calorie…
Parents’ effect on a child’s behaviour
Tazlina Zamila Khan Children are the most vulnerable as they are always in need of support, either from parents or from teachers. A child’s behaviour varies from time to time. Usually, toddlers communicate in a strong way, which needs our…
Nadia Murad: From sex slavery to Nobel Peace Prize
Nadia Murad, a Yazidi activist who was forced into sexual slavery by ISIS, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to campaign against rape as a mass weapon of war.
The Caribbean reiterates 1.5 Degrees Celsius to stay alive
If there is one lesson that Dominican Reginald Austrie has learnt from the devastation Hurricane Maria brought to his country last September, it is the need for “resilience, resilience, resilience”.
Rwanda leverages GCF Options to fast-track sustainable growth
By Aimable Twahirwa Kigali, Oct 12 2018 (IPS) – In a move to achieve its green growth aspirations by 2050, Rwanda has placed a major focus on promoting project proposals that shift away from “business as usual” and have a…
Is the monetary system facing the risk of recession?
The International Monetary Fund, other economic institutions, politicians, experts, and a good number of indicators predict a new economic downturn. The causes will be diverse but the significant one is that debt worldwide has grown at an exaggerated rate. According…
US Nat’l Farm-to-School Month: World’s 30 innovative programs
From Danielle Nierenberg This October, Food Tank is celebrating national Farm-to-School Month in the United States. In the U.S. alone, over 42,000 schools are changing their communities with farm-to-school programs, impacting the lives of over 23 million students. And schools…
Our choices matter more than before to limit climate change
The release of a groundbreaking report has left the international community reeling over very real, intensified impacts of climate change which will hit home sooner rather than later. So what now?
As Amazon warms, tropical butterflies and lizards seek shade
Recent research at a centre in Guyana shows that some types of butterflies and lizards in the Amazon have been seeking shelter from the heat as Amazonian temperatures rise.
Farmers generate their own electricity in El Salvador
In Lilian Gómez’s house, nestled in the mountains of eastern El Salvador, the darkness of the night was barely relieved by the faint, trembling flames of a pair of candles, just like in the houses of her neighbours. Until now.
Leveraging green growth potential in vulnerable countries
In May the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced next year’s summit on climate. This assertion has given the Global Green Growth Institute international momentum, which was reflected in the events of the 73rd session of the United Nations…
Cyber attacks growing problem in developing nations
Few experiences undermine a digital financial services (DFS) customer’s finances and trust in DFS like becoming the victim of a cybercrime. This is especially true of low-income customers, who are least able to rebound from the losses, and of the…
Progress in SDGs execution in South, SW Asia: CSO Statement
Review of progress and achievements in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in South and South West Asia. The Challenges of Empowering people, ensuring inclusiveness and equality in South Asia, the theme of HLPF 2019.
Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Dev: Issues addressed
3rd October, South and SouthWest Asian CSOs strategy meeting on SDGs Review of Goals relevant for the sub-region; critical success factors and challenges and there were Presentation on SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 11, SDG 13, SDG 13, followed by…