by Lilian Efobi Across the Commonwealth, young activists like Malala Yousafzai, Vanessa Nakate,  Kelvin Doe, Bindi Karia, Ayakha Melithafa, Alika Kinan, Anote Tong, Sonika Manandhar and Rinu Oduala are using their voices and actions to cause positive changes in their communities and beyond. In recent times, the organization, mobilization, and implementation of social movements have …

From Protest to Policy: How Gen Z is Revolutionizing Governance Reforms Read More »

by Monica Islam The Corona pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns were very depressing for me as I am someone who is accustomed to going outdoors and spending some time amidst nature. I am not very addicted to social media and other technological gadgets (although they help in beating boredom and loneliness to some extent). During …

Bangladesh – A Nation Incarcerated Read More »

Dear Reader, Before you dive in, I want to make something clear: while this might seem like a complete article, it’s not. That was why it sat in my notepad for months. You will never get the full picture of the damage caused by child marriage through words alone. The truth is: no article can …

Why Take Away Her Childhood and Hand Her a Marriage? Read More »

by Adedoyin Ajayi The will to live, to subsist is perhaps one of the strongest desires in mankind. The world population totaled eight billion in November 2022, and is projected to peak at over ten billion in mid-2080s. This astronomical rise is staggering, considering the world figure was a mere 2.5 billion in 1950. Rising …

More Than Just Numbers Read More »

by Ruhamah Ifere As a young woman, I have been greatly inspired by three Nigerian SHEroes who fought gallantly for the rights of women, regardless of the opposition they faced. They each took up the responsibility for enabling other women and girls to achieve a shared purpose – Women’s voting rights, freedom from illegal tax, …

The Labour of Our SHEroes Past – Let It Never Be In Vain Read More »

by Duncan Gaswaga Freedom of speech, often considered the cornerstone of any democracy, is the liberty to express opinions without censorship, restraint or legal penalty. Today it is considered a fundamental human right and is included by multiple countries in their constitutions, one of the most famous being the First Amendment of the United States …

Is Free Speech Truly Free? Read More »

by Lilian Efobi Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. In December 2018, January 24th was announced by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of Education. The adoption was meant to be a declaration of the role that education plays in peace and development.  Subsequently, this day has …

Education for Peace and Prosperity in Africa Read More »

by Monica Islam “Ammu, will you sign this parental consent form for me to join the school football club?” asked Faatiha, my 10-year old niece to her mother. Faatiha studies at Bangladesh International Tutorial, a prominent private English-medium school in Gulshan, the heart of Bangladesh. The school has been operational since 1983 and therefore, it …

Physical Education Classes and Sports Clubs for Girls in Schools Read More »