Nigeria’s recession is causing hardship. Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 22, a Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, explains how a drop in oil prices hurts national revenue and leaves public servants without pay. “Four days ago, it clocked six months since I received my last pay from the government of this state. Nevertheless, I will still have to resume …

“Public servants are working more to get less” Read More »

On Valentine’s day this year, Malawi’s national assembly passed a bill that called for the Constitution to raise the marriage age with parental consent from 15 to 18 years. Chimwemwe Manyozo, 27, a Correspondent from Lilongwe, Malawi, reports that the news was received with excitement, especially from activists and youth. One of the leaders in the fight …

“It’s 18! What’s next to stop child marriage?” Read More »

Women in the workforce can prepare to prove themselves and set their careers a notch higher, writes Judith Akoth, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kisumu in Kenya. She has tips for those who want to change jobs, set up a business, win employee of the year award, or take a rightful place in the coveted …

“Tips on closing the boardroom gender gap” Read More »

 An educator and social entrepreneur is helping solve Nigeria’s major challenge by training young people, especially girls, who are abused because of poverty. Sola Abe, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, interviewed this mentor, who teaches the culture of entrepreneurship and provides seed capital. Ogechukwu Ezeokoli is an educator, social entrepreneur and founder of Teens Economic and …

“This woman helps students start businesses” Read More »

India’s transgender community has been a target of chronic violence, intolerance and stereotyping.  Sugandha Parmar, 23, a Correspondent in Kanpur, India, writes that the Transgender (Protection of Rights) Bill promises protection of rights and facilitates acceptance in social spaces. Such a legislative move engenders fresh questions amongst those aspiring for reform. Underpinning several LGBTQI discourses lies a …

“Transgender predicament requires action” Read More »

As focus is trained on equality and safety for women, Munguongeyo Ivan, 24, a Correspondent from Kampala, Uganda, notes that men are also victims of violence. He argues that advocating for those victims will create equality for all. Traditionally, women were regarded as the most vulnerable of people, due to power relations, cultural attachments, patriarchy …

“The forgotten gender violence: call for action” Read More »

Kenya’s National Health Service is in a tumultuous period. As Aisha Anne Habiba, 27, a Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya explains, a weeks-old standoff between the government and doctors has brought the public healthcare system to an almost complete standstill. The strike is the second longest in Kenya’s history; the longest was in 1994 and …

“An ailing nation hurts during doctor strike” Read More »

Young people with disabilities have numerous concerns, especially in the developing world, writes Vibhu Sharma, 24, a Correspondent from Delhi in India, who notes the problems created by discrimination and social exclusion. It is difficult for most students with visual impairment to seek admission in general schools. Lack of adequate school infrastructure, unawareness amongst teachers …

“Educational inclusiveness for the disabled” Read More »

Recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa lead Ludwekazi Ndlazi, 24, a Correspondent from Durban in South Africa, to consider that events might indicate some residents refuse to acknowledge the #WEAREONE movement. In the year 2015, families suffered great losses, businesses were shut down and many lost their lives in xenophobic violence. It seems the harsh …

“Africans need to say no to xenophobia” Read More »

Protest has long been a part of the interaction between the people and the institutions that have power over them. Aïdêè Amba, 20, a Correspondent from Calabar in Nigeria, writes that peaceful protest has a place in society, but violent protest is counter-productive. When citizens of a country or a group of people disagree with …

“Society can say yes to peaceful protest” Read More »