ChangeWaves

16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence: What is your role?

30. November 2011

It is that time of the year again when everybody from politicians to grassroots people will be talking about violence against women! I was chanced to visit one of the victim empowerment centres in Gauteng this week and I was surprised to find blood stained towels left by a survivor of domestic violence who had [...]

A toast to the tough sisters!

11. August 2011

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These are my babies. These are my children. I will take care of them even if their father doesn’t help, my downstairs neighbor declared when I paid them a courtesy call to see her newly born grandchildren. Her daughter was barely 15 when she fell pregnant. I was furious because she had run from school [...]

South Africa Celebrates Women’s Day for the 17th Time

11. August 2011

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August 9 in South Africa marks a day in 1956 when thousands of women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the oppressive pass laws in Apartheid South Africa. Their slogan “wathint’ umfazi, wathint’ mbokodo” (when you strike a woman you strike a rock) was one of the acts that led to [...]

ESSAY COMPETITION:Looking at ICTs and Agriculture in Africa through the eyes of women and the youth

15. July 2011

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The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency and the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) have joined forces in celebrating NEPAD’s 10th Anniversary. It is within this context of reflecting over the advancement of the African development agenda, that the two institutions are jointly organising an essay competition under the theme; [...]

Major progress towards Millennium Development Goals, but the most vulnerable are left behind, UN report says

12. July 2011

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Since they were first adopted, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have raised awareness and shaped a broad vision that remains the overarching framework for the development activities of the United Nations. At the September 2010 MDG Summit, world leaders put forward an ambitious action plan — a roadmap outlining what is needed to meet the [...]

The Optimists Creed

28. June 2011

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At ChangeWaves, we always want to ignite, rejuvenate or strengthen waves of change in different areas of our societies through ICTs. But the work we do can sometimes seem daunting and we always appreciate it when friends and colleagues share inspirational stories with us, like this optimist’s creed that was shared with us recently. I hope [...]

A note to my mother

9. May 2011

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I remember lying in bed one morning, singing a song I liked but whose lyrics I didn’t know well. I substituted the real words with my kid-ish words that didn’t make sense to anyone myself inclusive. “Won’t you go to school today,” my mother, Ms. Jesca Mawewe Wekono asked as she fastened her headscarf (My [...]

Agony and Ecstasy

16. March 2011

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In today’s world, it is hard to pick up a newspaper and find a front page that will bring a smile to anyone’s face unless they are stone hearted. From poverty stricken Uganda, to the USA’s skyscrapers not much hope. Take a look at some of the headlines today: Four year hacks cousin to death [...]

A Toolkit on the Freedom of Information and Women’s Rights in Africa

9. March 2011

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“Freedom of Information and Women’s Rights in Africa” is a toolkit guide published by the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) with the support of UNESCO. The book provides guidance for women’s organizations in Africa on how to organize around freedom of information. It has compiled five case studies from five African countries, namely, [...]

A visitor in my own home: Observing Uganda’s 2011 Presidential elections

2. March 2011

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A Nigerian guy I met recently asked me if Idi Amin Dada is still the president of Uganda. Now being the Christian that I am, I forgave his ignorance. Over 30 years since Amin left Uganda, some people ask if he is still president. Anyway it shows me that my country has done little to [...]