Day: August 28, 2017

G20 commits to Africa Partnership

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In a recently concluded G20 meeting held in Hamburg, Germany, the world leaders vowed, among others, to commit to Africa Partnership. This was in a bid to recognise the opportunities and challenges in African countries as well as the goals of the 2030 Agenda. This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. It seeks to stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet. Africa, as a continent, is an integral part of the Agenda. An…

Arab films explore gender themes in festival return to Canberra

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The 14th annual Arab Film Festival Australia (AFFA) returns to Canberra on September 1-2, focusing on gender themes with an impressive program of four features and four short films. AFFA will screen films from Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Tunisia and Australia, shining a light on the lives of generations of Arab women and how they navigate and overcome modern day prejudice.  The festival will also feature films that take an in-depth look at the lives of young men and how they battle with expectations of masculinity in today’s society. The 2017 Arab…

Tunisia: Dispute Between Parties Delays Ministerial Amendment

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Tunisia- Stances expressed by Ennahdha Party and Al Nidaa Party have revealed a huge difference in points of view towards the ministerial amendment that was announced by Prime Minister of Tunisia Yousef El-Shahed, before he delayed its implementation later on. The ministerial amendment has been proposed since April when Shahed dismissed ministers of education, finance and investment. Reliable sources stated that Shahed hasn’t yet finalized the ideal figures to replace the three sacked ministers because of the considerable number of candidacies and pressure from opposition parties. Points of views regarding…

The 2030 goal to see world free from legislation that discriminates against women

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Citizen activism is seeing ‘marry your rapist’ laws disappearing, finally. But laws protecting perpetrators of rape are still in place all over the world, writes Janelle Weissman from UN Women National Committee Australia There is a movement afoot. People all across the globe are vocally and visibly opposing laws that for too long have kept women from justice. The notorious ‘marry your rapist’ laws are toppling, because of citizen activism, government action, UN Women coordination and global voices speaking out. Wind back the clock. In 2012, Amina al-Filali was raped. Seven…