by G Sai Prashanth Defying stigmas and stereotypes Age-old refrains like, why should I send you to school when I have a son who will carry my name? are not just well-known in rural India; they can also be heard echoing in India’s urban agglomerations brimming with multi-storey buildings. In India, marriage is still at …

Connecting Threads: Concerns of Every Indian Girl Child Read More »

by Similoluwa Ifedayo Lately, I’ve been thinking deeply about gender inequality, equity, and equality. Questions have been on my mind like, “At what point do I stop talking about gender equality? When is it enough? Am I doing too much?”  These reflections led me to one fundamental realisation: gender equality is not a destination. It’s …

Gender Equality is Not a Destination—It’s a Constant Rebalancing Read More »

by Chimaobi Omeye The government of the United Kingdom last week vetoed the inclusion of reparations for slavery from the agenda of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa. This came as a shock to many who believe the matter should have been discussed extensively. The question was raised as to why …

The UK – Commonwealth Slavery Reparations Saga Read More »

by Ruhamah Ifere Everything has a purpose, but not all purpose is known, and when purpose is not known, the abuse is inevitable. I have pondered on the theme for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child and realized that indeed there is a purpose for the theme. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, a …

Should Girls Rights Be Themed? Read More »

In every corner of Nigeria, a silent siege is taking place. It’s not the kind of siege that makes headlines or sparks protests. Instead, it’s a quieter, more insidious force—one that begins at birth and often lasts a lifetime.

by Joshua Kimera George Washington talks about the essential role of free speech in safeguarding democracy. Washington warns that without the ability to speak freely, individuals become vulnerable to manipulation and oppression, emphasising that the right to voice one’s thoughts is a critical necessity for society’s survival. If freedom of speech is taken away, then …

Navigating the Limits: Is Free Speech Truly Unrestricted? Read More »

by Metolo Foyet On the occasion of pride month, when time wore the colours of early June, an article by Monica Islam sparked a discussion about the evolving 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the controversies surrounding gender and sexuality in different cultural contexts. A notable incident occurred in Bangladesh, where references to the hijra community in grade 7 textbooks …

Homophobia in Africa: A Colonial Construct and Its Legal Fabrication Read More »

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 »