Bangladesh
Some 1,000 Rohingyas evicted from makeshift huts 6/29, IRIN
Over the past two months the local authorities in Cox’s Bazaar District, southeastern Bangladesh, have torn down scores of makeshift huts belonging to an estimated 1,000 Rohingya refugees.
Acid Violence in Bangladesh 6/30, The New Nation
Acid throwing on women and girls are on the rise in Bangladesh. Acids are used to disfigure and sometimes kill women and girls. Recently a housewife sustained severe burns as her husband and mother-in-law allegedly hurled acid at her following a dowry dispute at Narayanpur in Trishal upazila.
Guatemala
Guatemalan fears a tweet will make him a jailbird 6/26, AP
Jean Anleu was so fed up with corruption in his country that he decided to vent on the Internet, sending a 96-character message on the social-networking site Twitter. That message has now earned him a potential five-year prison sentence.
Guatemala reports first death from A/H1N1 virus 6/26, Xinhua
The Guatemalan Health Ministry reported on Thursday the first death from A/H1N1 flu in the country. Currently, Guatemala is on an orange alert level and all elementary schools in the country are temporarily closed.
India
Ancient India didn’t think homosexuality was against nature 6/27, The Times of India
On a petition seeking to decriminalize homosexuality, the government said that there were "no convincing reports to indicate that homosexuality or other offences against the order of nature mentioned in Section 377 IPC were acceptable in the Indian society prior to colonial rule." But India distanced itself from that provision when Sweden questioned its record in ensuring equality irrespective of a person's sexual orientation.
Indian Women Protest Sex-Selective Abortions 6/26, NTDTV.com
Thousands of women hold a massive rally in India protesting against an increasing number of abortions. In some areas of India an estimated 2,000 unborn girls are illegally aborted every day, according to the United Nations.
Mexico
Mexico sends additional troops to Juarez 6/22, Press TV
Mexico sends 1,500 additional soldiers to its northern borders to contain rising drug violence after initial troop deployment failed to effectively address the problem.
Swine Flu Cases Spike in Two Mexican States 6/26, AP
Mexican health officials say swine flu cases have spiked in the southern states of Yucatan and Chiapas prompting authorities to start the summer break weeks early.
Nepal
Nepal Coalition Looks Shaky 6/29, Financial Times
Nepal's ruling coalition was struggling for stability at the weekend. Disputes over the allocation of cabinet portfolios underscored the uneasy balance Madhav Kumar Nepal, prime minister, must strike in guiding the 22-party alliance.
Record 68 per cent students pass matric exams in Nepal 6/29, indopia.in
A record 68.47 percent of regular students passed this year's School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations conducted by the Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE), according to officials. This is the highest percentage of students passing the SLC exams in the history of Nepal.
South Africa
Time to Rethink Testing 6/26, Plus News
It has become a given – test more people for HIV and you'll get more people on treatment earlier, plus cut down on risky sex. But recent research on the behavior of people who test HIV negative, has led some doctors to question the testing gospel.
Research puts rural gays under spotlight 6/24, Behind the Mask
The University of South Africa (UNISA) together with Gay Umbrella, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) organization in the North West Province, have joined forces in a two year systematic research project that will provide important insights into the rural perspective of gays and lesbians.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Denies Diamond Killings 6/24, Association of Zimbabwe Journalists
A Zimbabwean minister on Wednesday denied any killings in the eastern Marange diamond fields, where rights groups have sounded the alarm over the forcible evictions of small-scale miners.
State concedes Mukoko’s abduction was illegal 6/25 SW Radio Africa News
A state prosecutor on Thursday conceded that the way human rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko was abducted by state security agents, was illegal. The 53 year-old former news reader has taken her case to the Supreme Court, seeking a permanent stay of her prosecution.
Bumper crop, but Zimbabwe hungry 6/25, BBC
Some three million people face hunger in Zimbabwe, despite a significant rise in food production, the UN says. Good rainfall over the past year has boosted production of the staple crop, maize, by 130% to 1.1m tonnes, but about 2.8m people will still face food shortages this year
Global
The World Financial Meltdown: What now for African women? 6/25, Pambazuka News
It is feared that the current crisis will result in reversal in achievements made under the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs) and human rights in Africa. This is particularly true for African women who for a long time have been the face of poverty in Africa.
Global Finance Ignores World's Poor 6/24, Al Jazeera English
As government officials from around the world descend on New York this week for a UN conference on the economic crisis and its impact on development, the main issue up for debate is how the poorest countries can influence the way the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank operate.
Join us this Tuesday to hear award-winning author Claire Hope Cummings talk about sustainable agriculture and seed-saving and why the are important development tools around the world.
What: IDEX Annual Event: Seeds Of Change
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Solarium, 55 Second Street, San Francisco (See map.)
Featured Speaker: Claire Hope Cummings
Tickets: $60 includes appetizers and host bar. Catering by Jane Hammond Events.
RSVP: Tickets are $60 each.
Bring your friends! Buy 3 tickets and get 4 tickets for the special price of $180. Reserve your tickets online, or phone Gillian Wilson at (415) 824-8348.
Celebrate the success of our local partners, in Guatemala, Mexico, India and Nepal that are using sustainable agriculture to build food security and mitigate the impact of climate change, while developing flourishing livelihoods and communities.
We are delighted to have Claire Hope Cummings, farmer, environmental lawyer, journalist and author of the critically acclaimed book Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds, as our Guest Speaker. Claire is well known in the Bay Area as food and farming editor for KPFA where she hosted a weekly radio program.
Learn about IDEX’s current partners. Bid on incredible gifts at the IDEX Silent Auction. Enjoy tasty appetizers, wine, music and reconnect with your friends at IDEX.
Bangladesh Announce over $16 Billion Budget to Reduce Poverty 6-11-09, All Headline News
Bangladesh on Thursday announced a $16.49 billion national budget for the fiscal year 2009-10 aiming to reduce poverty by creating jobs across the country.
Does Bangladesh Use Foreign Aid Wisely? 6-14-09, BBC
Bangladesh receives about $2bn in foreign aid each year, but it does not always reach the people it is intended to help.
Police Arrested in Jessore for Having Hand in Human Trafficking 6-15-09, The New Nation
Human trafficking through different border points of Jessore district has reached an alarming level and administrative personnel are being involved in the trade.
Guatemala
Guatemalan Remittances Down Almost 10% 6-11-09, Latin American Herald Tribune
The sending of remittances to family members by Guatemalans living abroad fell 9.5% in the first five months of 2009, the country's central bank said Thursday.
One Woman's Fear in the Fight Against Corruption in Guatemala 6-10-09, CNN
After 22 years of speaking out against corruption, first as a lawyer and then as a congresswoman, Anabella De León says she remains fearful given the legacy of violence and instability in Guatemala.
India
'Sodomy' Laws Perpetuate Colonial Prejudices 6-14-09, Human Rights Watch
As the High Court in Delhi prepares to rule on whether adult, consensual homosexual conduct should continue to be illegal in India, the nation's new government should drop its opposition to law reform, Human Rights Watch said today.
India's HIV Victims Find Solace in Marriage 6-14-09, AFP
Taking medicines on time is a big part of a successful marriage for Ravi and Nima -- an HIV-positive couple who met as a direct result of the enduring stigma attached to AIDS in India.
Mexico
Human Rights Watch: Mexican military abuse rising 6-12-09, AP
Abuses by the Mexican military have surged since the government deployed troops to fight drug cartels more than two years ago, and too little is done to investigate allegations of rapes, killing and torture, a rights group said Thursday.
Mexico to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions 6-8-09, Environmental Leader
Mexico's President announced that Mexico will voluntarily cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 million tons a year by 2012 through the use of more efficient cars and power plants as well as reductions in gas leaks and flaring by the oil industry.
Nepal
OHCHR May Get Term Extended 6-15-09, My República
The government is likely to review its decision to extend the tenure of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) only by three months against the OHCHR-Nepal's proposal to extend the tenure by three years.
Women's Health in Nepal 6-9-09, Public Radio International
Dr. Sangeeta Mishra is a gynecologist from Nepal, and a Fulbright Scholar at Johns Hopkins University. She discussed how women's health issues are addressed in Nepal in an interview with PRI.
Political Violence Threatens Peace in Nepal:UN 6-12-09, AFP
A recent rise in violence by political parties and their affiliates in Nepal could threaten a three-year-old peace process, the UN human rights representative in the country has warned.
South Africa
Charities report sharp rise in number of abandoned South Africa babies 14-6-09, The Guardian
Children's charities have reported a sharp rise in the number of babies abandoned by mothers driven to poverty and desperation in recession-hit South Africa.
South Africa's HIV Epidemic Has Stabilized 14-6-09, HealthNews Track
South Africa's HIV epidemic has leveled off at a prevalence of 10.9% for people aged two years and older, with 5.2 million people estimated to be living with HIV in 2008.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe girls trade sex for food 6-12-09, BBC
Growing numbers of children in Zimbabwe are turning to prostitution to survive. Increasing poverty is leading girls as young as 12 to sell their bodies for as little as a packet of biscuits.
Tsvangirai Urges US to Support Inclusive Gov't 10-6-09, Association of Zimbabwe Journalists
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is urging the United States to support his government despite abuses by his coalition partner, President Robert Mugabe.
General
African states seek own solution in world crisis 6-7-09, Reuters
Africa must seek to solve its own problems as the global economic crisis limits the ability of more developed countries to follow through on aid pledges, African ministers told a conference in Cairo.
Financial crisis could force more girls into work 6-12-09, IRIN
The financial crisis could force more girls into work as financially squeezed families withdraw their daughters from school to seek jobs, warns the International Labour Organization.
Making the Case for Climate as a Migration Driver 6-14-09, New York Times
A new report on human migration and climate change, gave an overview of where the changing environment is driving decision-making on the ground and which areas are likely to be hit hardest if things get worse.
Mother Caned in Bangladesh for Talking to Muslim Man 06-06-09, AFP
A Muslim mother has been caned for talking to a Hindu man in Bangladesh, police said Saturday, prompting fresh concerns about a rise in cases of harsh treatment of women under strict Islamic law.
Migrants return to Bangladesh 06-04-09, BBC
Thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers are returning home as a result of the global recession. There are more than six million Bangladeshis working abroad and the remittances that they send home are the country's largest source of foreign exchange.
Guatemala
Drug Violence Spilling into Guatemala 06-04-09, LA Times
As Mexican President Felipe Calderon presses an anti-narcotics offensive in Mexico, the war has spilled south into Guatemala, where proximity, weak law enforcement and deeply rooted corruption provide fertile ground for Mexico's gangs.
TV Reporter Gunned Down in Guatemala 06-08-09, Latin American Herald Tribune
A reporter for the Tele Diario news show of Guatemala's Channel 3 television was gunned down in the eastern city of Chiquimula, police said on Sunday.
India
Police Fire on Protesters in Indian Kashmir 06-08-09, AP
Security forces opened fire on protesters in Indian Kashmir on Monday, wounding at least seven people, including two critically, in the worst clash since unrest broke out last week over the deaths of two young women.
Domestic Abuse Plagues India's Upper-Crust 06-08-09 Reuters
Millions of Indian women, from all classes, are abused by their husbands. A recent government survey said one in three Indian women were victims of domestic violence.
Mexico
Mexico drug arrests leave prisons crowded, violent 06-02-09, Reuters
The rounding up of thousands of suspects in Mexico's drug war has left the already unruly prison system overwhelmed with jailbreaks and struggling to contain deadly riots between inmates from rival gangs.
Mexican Women Clash over Abortion 06-06-09, Ohmy News
There is a fierce ongoing battle over the abortion issue in Mexico. Two years ago, the country's capital caused controversy when it became the first state to authorized legal abortions up to the first trimester.
Nepal
Strike Shuts Schools, Shops in Nepal 06-08-09, AFP
A strike called by Maoist sympathizers on Monday paralyzed large swathes of Nepal. The one-day general strike in western Nepal came a week after protests by another group of Maoist supporters, and appeared to be part of a campaign to bring chaos to the Himalayan nation.
Nepal's MJF withdraws from government 06-06-09, Press TV
Just after 11 days in power, Nepal's new communist-led ruling coalition receives its first jolt with its regional ally, the MJF, withdrawing support.
South Africa
Visa Waver 'Encumbering' Zimbabwean Trade 6-5-09, Terra Viva
The government's removal of visa requirements for Zimbabweans in April was aimed at easing entry. But, for Alice Kakwindi, Grace Chimhosva and other cross-border traders, entering South Africa has subsequently turned into a nightmare.
TB Vaccine Trials for Babies 6-4-09, PlusNews
A new trial to test the efficacy of a tuberculosis (TB) booster shot for babies is about to start in South Africa, but when your subjects are too young to eat solids, the challenge rises to a new level.
Rape of Gay Man Sparks Provincial Protest 6-3-09, BTM
Trial for a rape case of a gay man known only as Luanda will be heard on 22 June this year following its postponement on Friday 29 May as two of the three accused did not pitch up.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe to use SA Rand Permanently 06-04-09, AfricaNews
Zimbabwe's minister of finance, Tendai Biti, has announced that the fragile government of that country is considering the idea of using the South African rand as it's permanent official currency. "We are looking at various avenues and the adoption of the rand is likelihood," he said.
COMESA Mulls Rescue Package for Zimbabwe 06-04-09, AFP
Africa's COMESA trade bloc is preparing a financial rescue package for Zimbabwe to help the southern African nation to rebuild its shattered economy, a senior official said Thursday.
General
IMF Doubles Lending to Africa 6-4-09, afrol News
As a response to the global crisis and an increased capital basis, the International Monetary Fund has already more than doubled its lending to Africa this year compared to the record year of 2008.
Betty Makoni - Photo courtesy of CNN
Betty Makoni has been nominated as a CNN Hero for her work protecting the powerless. Betty was interviewed on Larry King Live on June 4, 2009.
To read CNN’s story on Betty and watch CNN’s two videos featuring Betty and the work of Girl Child Network go to CNN Heroes.
We are delighted that Betty is receiving such well-deserved recognition for her work and hopeful for the positive impact that such attention and focus can bring to Betty and Girl Child Network.
IDEX Program Officers, Kat and Vini recently went on field visits in South Africa to research groups IDEX could support through our catalyst grants program. This blog post comes from Kat, who visited Angus Gillis Foundation at the end of April.
This morning I flew into Port Elizabeth, a coastal city in the Eastern Cape province. But as usual Port Elizabeth was not my final destination. I was visiting Grahamstown another hour and a half away. This is where the Angus Gillis Foundation (AGF) is located. This organization was founded in 2002 by an independent charitable trust initiated by the owners of the Kwande Private Game Reserve.
All too frequently when new game reserves have been established, the owners have evicted people from their homes and villages within the reserves. The owners of Kwande wanted to support the villages within the perimeters of the new game reserve. As a result the Angus Gillis Foundation was formed and named after the Scottish grandfather of one co-owner of the Kwande, who lived a lift of compassion and philanthropy.
Since 2002 AGF has helped established 39 self-help groups (SHGs) in 12 villages reaching 520 unemployed people. Most SHG members are women: only 4 members are men. Each group has 8 and 20 members and meets once a week. As part of this meeting they collect savings from members up to R2 (22 cents) per week.
But in addition to acting as a savings tool, the weekly meetings encourage members to share their problems, and in turn this builds a powerful support system that nurtures enduring trust among members. And as their savings grow the group can initiate loans to the group members. Once the group achieved a certain level of savings, AGF will offer assistance to help develop small businesses.
Today, Diana Hornby, the director of AGF, is introducing me to several business initiatives. First I meet the Unopopana Doll Cooperative, a 6 women-member cooperative in the KwaPontak village within the Kwande Private Game Reserve. The coordinator of this cooperative is Jennifer, who is clearly a natural community leader. Another program run by AGF is their annual leadership program, which trains local leaders on how to build capacity and become more effective within their communities in improving livelihoods.
I also met Novulo Sideba, another community leader in the same village. She started a baby and toddler program, which in turn inspired the construction of a community center, using recycled materials, to house this program.
Both Novulo and Jennifer sit on a Steering Committee, which represents two villages, KwaPontak and KwaDoli, and 700 community members. The committee meets monthly to discuss urgent issues to address the needs of their communities.
The Steering Committee is leading the development of a Pro-poor Tourism Community Center. This will provide an education program for the community members and at the same time host unique cultural experiences for tourists. The Center is still being constructed but the education program is already up and running and the doll-making cooperative has relocated their doll production there.
After the Kwande Private Game Reserve, Diana took me to visit Glenmore Township. Glenmore was settled after black people were evicted from Colchester, a white-dominant area between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. Here, I attended a cluster group meeting. According to the self-help model that AGF follows, when 10 SHGs have been established in one village, then a cluster is formed. Two representatives from each of the 10 SHG come together in a cluster, to share experiences, provide support, and discusses how they can mutually access government resources to address their local challenges.
I was able to ask a few of them what they saw different in their lives since joining the cluster groups. One of them said to me, “I used to be so shy and not feel confident to speak in a group. But now, with the self-help group, I feel confident to speak up and not only that, I’m able to save money as well.”
IDEX invites you to join us at The Solarium on 55 Second Street for a very special evening!
What: IDEX Annual Event and Silent Auction
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Solarium, 55 Second Street, San Francisco (See map.)
Featured Speaker: Claire Hope Cummings
Tickets: $60 includes appetizers and host bar. Catering by Jane Hammond Events.
RSVP: Tickets are $60 each.
Bring your friends! Buy 3 tickets and get 4 tickets for the special price of $180. Reserve your tickets online, or phone Gillian Wilson at (415) 824-8348.
Celebrate the success of our local partners, in Guatemala, Mexico, India and Nepal that are using sustainable agriculture to build food security and mitigate the impact of climate change, while developing flourishing livelihoods and communities.
We are delighted to have Claire Hope Cummings, farmer, environmental lawyer, journalist and author of the critically acclaimed book Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds, as our Guest Speaker. Claire is well known in the Bay Area as food and farming editor for KPFA where she hosted a weekly radio program.
Learn about IDEX’s current partners. Bid on incredible gifts at the IDEX Silent Auction. Enjoy tasty appetizers, wine, music and reconnect with your friends at IDEX.
Bangladesh, Burma Work to Resolve Rohingya Repatriation 6-1-09, Irrawaddy
The influx of Rohingya refuges into Bangladesh will not stop until there is a change in Arakan State and Burmese officials agree to repatriation, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said at a press conference on Friday.
JS Body to Decide on Tipaimukh 5-31-09, bdnews24.com
An all-party parliamentary committee will take a decision on whether to send a team of experts to the site of the proposed Indian Tipaimukh dam and hydropower project over the cross-boundary river Barak, the water resources minister said Sunday.
Guatemala
Taiwan President Visits Guatemala 5-30-09, AFP
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou on Friday arrived in Guatemala for a three-day visit in a bid to boost relations in a region where support for Taiwan has reduced in recent years.
Guatemalan murder mystery threatens government 5-27-09, AP
A slain lawyer's taped accusations that the president wanted him dead threaten to topple Guatemala's first leftist government in more than 50 years and have sharpened the political divide between rich and poor.
India
Indian Rights Activist, Freed on Bail, Vows to Continue Work 1-6-09, The Wall Street Journal
Doctor and human-rights activist Binayak Sen, released on bail last week had been held on charges of aiding Maoist insurgents, said he will continue treating patients from Indian tribal areas and fighting for their rights, despite weak health and threats to his life.
Expectations increasing from Indian Corporates on CSR 6-1-09, India PR Wire
A greater need for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India has brought companies who initiate and participate in CSR activities into the limelight and increased public expectations of them.
Mexico
Indigenous rape victims fight military impunity 6-1-09, IPS
Inés Fernández and Valentina Rosendo, both 23, have suffered death threats and have been stigmatized as rape victims. This month Fernández managed to take her case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and Rosendo may achieve the same in the near future.
Mexico Heads World Violence on Journalists 5-31-09, Prensa Latina
Mexico is heading a world list regarding the attacks against journalists, the most vulnerable in the exercise of their profession, the director of the Center of Human Rights reported Sunday.
Mexico offers $380,000 reward in journalist murder 5-28-09, AP
Mexico's top prosecutor on Thursday offered a $380,000 reward for information in the kidnapping and murder of a newspaper reporter who was found beaten and dead in an irrigation canal in northern Mexico this week.
Nepal
PM Nepal finds OHCHR insignificant 5-27-09, eKantipur
Newly elected Prime Minister Madhav Kumar opined that the role of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal is insignificant. He accused the UN rights body of “paying attention to political events and neglecting major incidents of human rights violation” and said renewing its tenure is unnecessary.
Sons of Soil Shut Down Kathmandu Valley 6-1-09, IANS
A community that has been residing in the Kathmandu Valley shut down the capital and 10 more districts, demanding an autonomous state for themselves and the scrapping of a reviled urban development plan. Nearly two dozen people were injured.
South Africa
Rush Job on NHI? 29-5-09, Health-e.org.za
An ANC task team is trying to convince the ANC and government to hastily implement a National Health Insurance (NHI) plan that many believe spells disaster for the buckling public health system.
HIV-Prevention Policy Not Working in South Africa 6-1-09, BusinessDay
A visiting US congressman has expressed concern about SA’s inability to significantly reduce the level of new HIV infections despite education and prevention campaigns.
Decriminalizing Sex Work Only Half the Battle 6-1-09, BuaNews
Proposals to decriminalize sex work in South Africa have been moved back to the front burner after a provincial premier remarked that the issue should be addressed "objectively and with an open mind".
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean Journalists and Lawyers Brought before the Courts 28-5-09, SW Radio Africa
Two editors from the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper will stand trial on June 16th. The two are accused of writing a story that would undermine public confidence in law enforcement agents.
EU not ready to resume ties with Zimbabwe: letter 28-5-09, AFP
The European Union is not yet ready to establish normal ties with Zimbabwe or resume aid despite a "positive evolution" in politics there, according to a letter made public Thursday.
General
Large-scale foreign land acquisitions could harm local people, says UN-backed report 26-5-09, UN News Service
A United Nations-commissioned study shows that land acquisitions are on the increase in the developing world, raising the risk that poor people will lose access to land, water, and other resources.
Africa’s Growth to fall to 2% in 2009 28-5-09, Africa News
African growth will fall to 2% in 2009 from 5.1% in 2008 and agriculture will prove the continent's best chance of pulling itself from poverty. Most African economies had been growing steadily but the global economic crisis has caused aid flows to fall, slashed demand and prices for its agricultural exports.
Some 1,000 Rohingyas evicted from makeshift huts 6/29, IRIN
Over the past two months the local authorities in Cox’s Bazaar District, southeastern Bangladesh, have torn down scores of makeshift huts belonging to an estimated 1,000 Rohingya refugees.
Acid Violence in Bangladesh 6/30, The New Nation
Acid throwing on women and girls are on the rise in Bangladesh. Acids are used to disfigure and sometimes kill women and girls. Recently a housewife sustained severe burns as her husband and mother-in-law allegedly hurled acid at her following a dowry dispute at Narayanpur in Trishal upazila.
Guatemala
Guatemalan fears a tweet will make him a jailbird 6/26, AP
Jean Anleu was so fed up with corruption in his country that he decided to vent on the Internet, sending a 96-character message on the social-networking site Twitter. That message has now earned him a potential five-year prison sentence.
Guatemala reports first death from A/H1N1 virus 6/26, Xinhua
The Guatemalan Health Ministry reported on Thursday the first death from A/H1N1 flu in the country. Currently, Guatemala is on an orange alert level and all elementary schools in the country are temporarily closed.
India
Ancient India didn’t think homosexuality was against nature 6/27, The Times of India
On a petition seeking to decriminalize homosexuality, the government said that there were "no convincing reports to indicate that homosexuality or other offences against the order of nature mentioned in Section 377 IPC were acceptable in the Indian society prior to colonial rule." But India distanced itself from that provision when Sweden questioned its record in ensuring equality irrespective of a person's sexual orientation.
Indian Women Protest Sex-Selective Abortions 6/26, NTDTV.com
Thousands of women hold a massive rally in India protesting against an increasing number of abortions. In some areas of India an estimated 2,000 unborn girls are illegally aborted every day, according to the United Nations.
Mexico
Mexico sends additional troops to Juarez 6/22, Press TV
Mexico sends 1,500 additional soldiers to its northern borders to contain rising drug violence after initial troop deployment failed to effectively address the problem.
Swine Flu Cases Spike in Two Mexican States 6/26, AP
Mexican health officials say swine flu cases have spiked in the southern states of Yucatan and Chiapas prompting authorities to start the summer break weeks early.
Nepal
Nepal Coalition Looks Shaky 6/29, Financial Times
Nepal's ruling coalition was struggling for stability at the weekend. Disputes over the allocation of cabinet portfolios underscored the uneasy balance Madhav Kumar Nepal, prime minister, must strike in guiding the 22-party alliance.
Record 68 per cent students pass matric exams in Nepal 6/29, indopia.in
A record 68.47 percent of regular students passed this year's School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations conducted by the Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE), according to officials. This is the highest percentage of students passing the SLC exams in the history of Nepal.
South Africa
Time to Rethink Testing 6/26, Plus News
It has become a given – test more people for HIV and you'll get more people on treatment earlier, plus cut down on risky sex. But recent research on the behavior of people who test HIV negative, has led some doctors to question the testing gospel.
Research puts rural gays under spotlight 6/24, Behind the Mask
The University of South Africa (UNISA) together with Gay Umbrella, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) organization in the North West Province, have joined forces in a two year systematic research project that will provide important insights into the rural perspective of gays and lesbians.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Denies Diamond Killings 6/24, Association of Zimbabwe Journalists
A Zimbabwean minister on Wednesday denied any killings in the eastern Marange diamond fields, where rights groups have sounded the alarm over the forcible evictions of small-scale miners.
State concedes Mukoko’s abduction was illegal 6/25 SW Radio Africa News
A state prosecutor on Thursday conceded that the way human rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko was abducted by state security agents, was illegal. The 53 year-old former news reader has taken her case to the Supreme Court, seeking a permanent stay of her prosecution.
Bumper crop, but Zimbabwe hungry 6/25, BBC
Some three million people face hunger in Zimbabwe, despite a significant rise in food production, the UN says. Good rainfall over the past year has boosted production of the staple crop, maize, by 130% to 1.1m tonnes, but about 2.8m people will still face food shortages this year
Global
The World Financial Meltdown: What now for African women? 6/25, Pambazuka News
It is feared that the current crisis will result in reversal in achievements made under the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs) and human rights in Africa. This is particularly true for African women who for a long time have been the face of poverty in Africa.
Global Finance Ignores World's Poor 6/24, Al Jazeera English
As government officials from around the world descend on New York this week for a UN conference on the economic crisis and its impact on development, the main issue up for debate is how the poorest countries can influence the way the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank operate.
Labels: Bangladesh, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Nepal, Newsflash, South Africa Zimbabwe
Join us this Tuesday to hear award-winning author Claire Hope Cummings talk about sustainable agriculture and seed-saving and why the are important development tools around the world.What: IDEX Annual Event: Seeds Of Change
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Solarium, 55 Second Street, San Francisco (See map.)
Featured Speaker: Claire Hope Cummings
Tickets: $60 includes appetizers and host bar. Catering by Jane Hammond Events.
RSVP: Tickets are $60 each.
Bring your friends! Buy 3 tickets and get 4 tickets for the special price of $180. Reserve your tickets online, or phone Gillian Wilson at (415) 824-8348.
Celebrate the success of our local partners, in Guatemala, Mexico, India and Nepal that are using sustainable agriculture to build food security and mitigate the impact of climate change, while developing flourishing livelihoods and communities.
We are delighted to have Claire Hope Cummings, farmer, environmental lawyer, journalist and author of the critically acclaimed book Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds, as our Guest Speaker. Claire is well known in the Bay Area as food and farming editor for KPFA where she hosted a weekly radio program.
Learn about IDEX’s current partners. Bid on incredible gifts at the IDEX Silent Auction. Enjoy tasty appetizers, wine, music and reconnect with your friends at IDEX.
Labels: Annual Event, Claire Hope Cummings, IDEX, Seeds of Change, Sustainable Agriculture
BangladeshBangladesh Announce over $16 Billion Budget to Reduce Poverty 6-11-09, All Headline News
Bangladesh on Thursday announced a $16.49 billion national budget for the fiscal year 2009-10 aiming to reduce poverty by creating jobs across the country.
Does Bangladesh Use Foreign Aid Wisely? 6-14-09, BBC
Bangladesh receives about $2bn in foreign aid each year, but it does not always reach the people it is intended to help.
Police Arrested in Jessore for Having Hand in Human Trafficking 6-15-09, The New Nation
Human trafficking through different border points of Jessore district has reached an alarming level and administrative personnel are being involved in the trade.
Guatemala
Guatemalan Remittances Down Almost 10% 6-11-09, Latin American Herald Tribune
The sending of remittances to family members by Guatemalans living abroad fell 9.5% in the first five months of 2009, the country's central bank said Thursday.
One Woman's Fear in the Fight Against Corruption in Guatemala 6-10-09, CNN
After 22 years of speaking out against corruption, first as a lawyer and then as a congresswoman, Anabella De León says she remains fearful given the legacy of violence and instability in Guatemala.
India
'Sodomy' Laws Perpetuate Colonial Prejudices 6-14-09, Human Rights Watch
As the High Court in Delhi prepares to rule on whether adult, consensual homosexual conduct should continue to be illegal in India, the nation's new government should drop its opposition to law reform, Human Rights Watch said today.
India's HIV Victims Find Solace in Marriage 6-14-09, AFP
Taking medicines on time is a big part of a successful marriage for Ravi and Nima -- an HIV-positive couple who met as a direct result of the enduring stigma attached to AIDS in India.
Mexico
Human Rights Watch: Mexican military abuse rising 6-12-09, AP
Abuses by the Mexican military have surged since the government deployed troops to fight drug cartels more than two years ago, and too little is done to investigate allegations of rapes, killing and torture, a rights group said Thursday.
Mexico to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions 6-8-09, Environmental Leader
Mexico's President announced that Mexico will voluntarily cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 million tons a year by 2012 through the use of more efficient cars and power plants as well as reductions in gas leaks and flaring by the oil industry.
Nepal
OHCHR May Get Term Extended 6-15-09, My República
The government is likely to review its decision to extend the tenure of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) only by three months against the OHCHR-Nepal's proposal to extend the tenure by three years.
Women's Health in Nepal 6-9-09, Public Radio International
Dr. Sangeeta Mishra is a gynecologist from Nepal, and a Fulbright Scholar at Johns Hopkins University. She discussed how women's health issues are addressed in Nepal in an interview with PRI.
Political Violence Threatens Peace in Nepal:UN 6-12-09, AFP
A recent rise in violence by political parties and their affiliates in Nepal could threaten a three-year-old peace process, the UN human rights representative in the country has warned.
South Africa
Charities report sharp rise in number of abandoned South Africa babies 14-6-09, The Guardian
Children's charities have reported a sharp rise in the number of babies abandoned by mothers driven to poverty and desperation in recession-hit South Africa.
South Africa's HIV Epidemic Has Stabilized 14-6-09, HealthNews Track
South Africa's HIV epidemic has leveled off at a prevalence of 10.9% for people aged two years and older, with 5.2 million people estimated to be living with HIV in 2008.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe girls trade sex for food 6-12-09, BBC
Growing numbers of children in Zimbabwe are turning to prostitution to survive. Increasing poverty is leading girls as young as 12 to sell their bodies for as little as a packet of biscuits.
Tsvangirai Urges US to Support Inclusive Gov't 10-6-09, Association of Zimbabwe Journalists
Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is urging the United States to support his government despite abuses by his coalition partner, President Robert Mugabe.
General
African states seek own solution in world crisis 6-7-09, Reuters
Africa must seek to solve its own problems as the global economic crisis limits the ability of more developed countries to follow through on aid pledges, African ministers told a conference in Cairo.
Financial crisis could force more girls into work 6-12-09, IRIN
The financial crisis could force more girls into work as financially squeezed families withdraw their daughters from school to seek jobs, warns the International Labour Organization.
Making the Case for Climate as a Migration Driver 6-14-09, New York Times
A new report on human migration and climate change, gave an overview of where the changing environment is driving decision-making on the ground and which areas are likely to be hit hardest if things get worse.
Labels: Bangladesh, Guatemala, IDEX NewsFlash, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
BangladeshMother Caned in Bangladesh for Talking to Muslim Man 06-06-09, AFP
A Muslim mother has been caned for talking to a Hindu man in Bangladesh, police said Saturday, prompting fresh concerns about a rise in cases of harsh treatment of women under strict Islamic law.
Migrants return to Bangladesh 06-04-09, BBC
Thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers are returning home as a result of the global recession. There are more than six million Bangladeshis working abroad and the remittances that they send home are the country's largest source of foreign exchange.
Guatemala
Drug Violence Spilling into Guatemala 06-04-09, LA Times
As Mexican President Felipe Calderon presses an anti-narcotics offensive in Mexico, the war has spilled south into Guatemala, where proximity, weak law enforcement and deeply rooted corruption provide fertile ground for Mexico's gangs.
TV Reporter Gunned Down in Guatemala 06-08-09, Latin American Herald Tribune
A reporter for the Tele Diario news show of Guatemala's Channel 3 television was gunned down in the eastern city of Chiquimula, police said on Sunday.
India
Police Fire on Protesters in Indian Kashmir 06-08-09, AP
Security forces opened fire on protesters in Indian Kashmir on Monday, wounding at least seven people, including two critically, in the worst clash since unrest broke out last week over the deaths of two young women.
Domestic Abuse Plagues India's Upper-Crust 06-08-09 Reuters
Millions of Indian women, from all classes, are abused by their husbands. A recent government survey said one in three Indian women were victims of domestic violence.
Mexico
Mexico drug arrests leave prisons crowded, violent 06-02-09, Reuters
The rounding up of thousands of suspects in Mexico's drug war has left the already unruly prison system overwhelmed with jailbreaks and struggling to contain deadly riots between inmates from rival gangs.
Mexican Women Clash over Abortion 06-06-09, Ohmy News
There is a fierce ongoing battle over the abortion issue in Mexico. Two years ago, the country's capital caused controversy when it became the first state to authorized legal abortions up to the first trimester.
Nepal
Strike Shuts Schools, Shops in Nepal 06-08-09, AFP
A strike called by Maoist sympathizers on Monday paralyzed large swathes of Nepal. The one-day general strike in western Nepal came a week after protests by another group of Maoist supporters, and appeared to be part of a campaign to bring chaos to the Himalayan nation.
Nepal's MJF withdraws from government 06-06-09, Press TV
Just after 11 days in power, Nepal's new communist-led ruling coalition receives its first jolt with its regional ally, the MJF, withdrawing support.
South Africa
Visa Waver 'Encumbering' Zimbabwean Trade 6-5-09, Terra Viva
The government's removal of visa requirements for Zimbabweans in April was aimed at easing entry. But, for Alice Kakwindi, Grace Chimhosva and other cross-border traders, entering South Africa has subsequently turned into a nightmare.
TB Vaccine Trials for Babies 6-4-09, PlusNews
A new trial to test the efficacy of a tuberculosis (TB) booster shot for babies is about to start in South Africa, but when your subjects are too young to eat solids, the challenge rises to a new level.
Rape of Gay Man Sparks Provincial Protest 6-3-09, BTM
Trial for a rape case of a gay man known only as Luanda will be heard on 22 June this year following its postponement on Friday 29 May as two of the three accused did not pitch up.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe to use SA Rand Permanently 06-04-09, AfricaNews
Zimbabwe's minister of finance, Tendai Biti, has announced that the fragile government of that country is considering the idea of using the South African rand as it's permanent official currency. "We are looking at various avenues and the adoption of the rand is likelihood," he said.
COMESA Mulls Rescue Package for Zimbabwe 06-04-09, AFP
Africa's COMESA trade bloc is preparing a financial rescue package for Zimbabwe to help the southern African nation to rebuild its shattered economy, a senior official said Thursday.
General
IMF Doubles Lending to Africa 6-4-09, afrol News
As a response to the global crisis and an increased capital basis, the International Monetary Fund has already more than doubled its lending to Africa this year compared to the record year of 2008.
Labels: Bangladesh, Guatemala, IDEX NewsFlash, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Betty Makoni - Photo courtesy of CNNBetty Makoni has been nominated as a CNN Hero for her work protecting the powerless. Betty was interviewed on Larry King Live on June 4, 2009.
To read CNN’s story on Betty and watch CNN’s two videos featuring Betty and the work of Girl Child Network go to CNN Heroes.
We are delighted that Betty is receiving such well-deserved recognition for her work and hopeful for the positive impact that such attention and focus can bring to Betty and Girl Child Network.
Labels: Betty Makoni, CNN, GCN
IDEX Program Officers, Kat and Vini recently went on field visits in South Africa to research groups IDEX could support through our catalyst grants program. This blog post comes from Kat, who visited Angus Gillis Foundation at the end of April.This morning I flew into Port Elizabeth, a coastal city in the Eastern Cape province. But as usual Port Elizabeth was not my final destination. I was visiting Grahamstown another hour and a half away. This is where the Angus Gillis Foundation (AGF) is located. This organization was founded in 2002 by an independent charitable trust initiated by the owners of the Kwande Private Game Reserve.
All too frequently when new game reserves have been established, the owners have evicted people from their homes and villages within the reserves. The owners of Kwande wanted to support the villages within the perimeters of the new game reserve. As a result the Angus Gillis Foundation was formed and named after the Scottish grandfather of one co-owner of the Kwande, who lived a lift of compassion and philanthropy.
Since 2002 AGF has helped established 39 self-help groups (SHGs) in 12 villages reaching 520 unemployed people. Most SHG members are women: only 4 members are men. Each group has 8 and 20 members and meets once a week. As part of this meeting they collect savings from members up to R2 (22 cents) per week.
But in addition to acting as a savings tool, the weekly meetings encourage members to share their problems, and in turn this builds a powerful support system that nurtures enduring trust among members. And as their savings grow the group can initiate loans to the group members. Once the group achieved a certain level of savings, AGF will offer assistance to help develop small businesses.
Today, Diana Hornby, the director of AGF, is introducing me to several business initiatives. First I meet the Unopopana Doll Cooperative, a 6 women-member cooperative in the KwaPontak village within the Kwande Private Game Reserve. The coordinator of this cooperative is Jennifer, who is clearly a natural community leader. Another program run by AGF is their annual leadership program, which trains local leaders on how to build capacity and become more effective within their communities in improving livelihoods.
I also met Novulo Sideba, another community leader in the same village. She started a baby and toddler program, which in turn inspired the construction of a community center, using recycled materials, to house this program.
Both Novulo and Jennifer sit on a Steering Committee, which represents two villages, KwaPontak and KwaDoli, and 700 community members. The committee meets monthly to discuss urgent issues to address the needs of their communities.
The Steering Committee is leading the development of a Pro-poor Tourism Community Center. This will provide an education program for the community members and at the same time host unique cultural experiences for tourists. The Center is still being constructed but the education program is already up and running and the doll-making cooperative has relocated their doll production there.After the Kwande Private Game Reserve, Diana took me to visit Glenmore Township. Glenmore was settled after black people were evicted from Colchester, a white-dominant area between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. Here, I attended a cluster group meeting. According to the self-help model that AGF follows, when 10 SHGs have been established in one village, then a cluster is formed. Two representatives from each of the 10 SHG come together in a cluster, to share experiences, provide support, and discusses how they can mutually access government resources to address their local challenges.
I was able to ask a few of them what they saw different in their lives since joining the cluster groups. One of them said to me, “I used to be so shy and not feel confident to speak in a group. But now, with the self-help group, I feel confident to speak up and not only that, I’m able to save money as well.”
Labels: Angus Gillis Foundation, SHG, South Africa
IDEX invites you to join us at The Solarium on 55 Second Street for a very special evening!What: IDEX Annual Event and Silent Auction
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Solarium, 55 Second Street, San Francisco (See map.)
Featured Speaker: Claire Hope Cummings
Tickets: $60 includes appetizers and host bar. Catering by Jane Hammond Events.
RSVP: Tickets are $60 each.
Bring your friends! Buy 3 tickets and get 4 tickets for the special price of $180. Reserve your tickets online, or phone Gillian Wilson at (415) 824-8348.
Celebrate the success of our local partners, in Guatemala, Mexico, India and Nepal that are using sustainable agriculture to build food security and mitigate the impact of climate change, while developing flourishing livelihoods and communities.
We are delighted to have Claire Hope Cummings, farmer, environmental lawyer, journalist and author of the critically acclaimed book Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds, as our Guest Speaker. Claire is well known in the Bay Area as food and farming editor for KPFA where she hosted a weekly radio program.
Learn about IDEX’s current partners. Bid on incredible gifts at the IDEX Silent Auction. Enjoy tasty appetizers, wine, music and reconnect with your friends at IDEX.
Labels: Annual Event, Claire Hope Cummings, Climate Change, Food Security, Seeds of Change
BangladeshBangladesh, Burma Work to Resolve Rohingya Repatriation 6-1-09, Irrawaddy
The influx of Rohingya refuges into Bangladesh will not stop until there is a change in Arakan State and Burmese officials agree to repatriation, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said at a press conference on Friday.
JS Body to Decide on Tipaimukh 5-31-09, bdnews24.com
An all-party parliamentary committee will take a decision on whether to send a team of experts to the site of the proposed Indian Tipaimukh dam and hydropower project over the cross-boundary river Barak, the water resources minister said Sunday.
Guatemala
Taiwan President Visits Guatemala 5-30-09, AFP
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou on Friday arrived in Guatemala for a three-day visit in a bid to boost relations in a region where support for Taiwan has reduced in recent years.
Guatemalan murder mystery threatens government 5-27-09, AP
A slain lawyer's taped accusations that the president wanted him dead threaten to topple Guatemala's first leftist government in more than 50 years and have sharpened the political divide between rich and poor.
India
Indian Rights Activist, Freed on Bail, Vows to Continue Work 1-6-09, The Wall Street Journal
Doctor and human-rights activist Binayak Sen, released on bail last week had been held on charges of aiding Maoist insurgents, said he will continue treating patients from Indian tribal areas and fighting for their rights, despite weak health and threats to his life.
Expectations increasing from Indian Corporates on CSR 6-1-09, India PR Wire
A greater need for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India has brought companies who initiate and participate in CSR activities into the limelight and increased public expectations of them.
Mexico
Indigenous rape victims fight military impunity 6-1-09, IPS
Inés Fernández and Valentina Rosendo, both 23, have suffered death threats and have been stigmatized as rape victims. This month Fernández managed to take her case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and Rosendo may achieve the same in the near future.
Mexico Heads World Violence on Journalists 5-31-09, Prensa Latina
Mexico is heading a world list regarding the attacks against journalists, the most vulnerable in the exercise of their profession, the director of the Center of Human Rights reported Sunday.
Mexico offers $380,000 reward in journalist murder 5-28-09, AP
Mexico's top prosecutor on Thursday offered a $380,000 reward for information in the kidnapping and murder of a newspaper reporter who was found beaten and dead in an irrigation canal in northern Mexico this week.
Nepal
PM Nepal finds OHCHR insignificant 5-27-09, eKantipur
Newly elected Prime Minister Madhav Kumar opined that the role of Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal is insignificant. He accused the UN rights body of “paying attention to political events and neglecting major incidents of human rights violation” and said renewing its tenure is unnecessary.
Sons of Soil Shut Down Kathmandu Valley 6-1-09, IANS
A community that has been residing in the Kathmandu Valley shut down the capital and 10 more districts, demanding an autonomous state for themselves and the scrapping of a reviled urban development plan. Nearly two dozen people were injured.
South Africa
Rush Job on NHI? 29-5-09, Health-e.org.za
An ANC task team is trying to convince the ANC and government to hastily implement a National Health Insurance (NHI) plan that many believe spells disaster for the buckling public health system.
HIV-Prevention Policy Not Working in South Africa 6-1-09, BusinessDay
A visiting US congressman has expressed concern about SA’s inability to significantly reduce the level of new HIV infections despite education and prevention campaigns.
Decriminalizing Sex Work Only Half the Battle 6-1-09, BuaNews
Proposals to decriminalize sex work in South Africa have been moved back to the front burner after a provincial premier remarked that the issue should be addressed "objectively and with an open mind".
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean Journalists and Lawyers Brought before the Courts 28-5-09, SW Radio Africa
Two editors from the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper will stand trial on June 16th. The two are accused of writing a story that would undermine public confidence in law enforcement agents.
EU not ready to resume ties with Zimbabwe: letter 28-5-09, AFP
The European Union is not yet ready to establish normal ties with Zimbabwe or resume aid despite a "positive evolution" in politics there, according to a letter made public Thursday.
General
Large-scale foreign land acquisitions could harm local people, says UN-backed report 26-5-09, UN News Service
A United Nations-commissioned study shows that land acquisitions are on the increase in the developing world, raising the risk that poor people will lose access to land, water, and other resources.
Africa’s Growth to fall to 2% in 2009 28-5-09, Africa News
African growth will fall to 2% in 2009 from 5.1% in 2008 and agriculture will prove the continent's best chance of pulling itself from poverty. Most African economies had been growing steadily but the global economic crisis has caused aid flows to fall, slashed demand and prices for its agricultural exports.
Labels: Bangladesh, Guatemala, IDEX NewsFlash, India, Mexico, Nepal, South Africa, Zimbabwe