Young people play an integral role in advancing development, democracy and peace. At the 10th Commonwealth Youth Forum in Malta, 21-25 November, over 400 youth leaders will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing young people, and devise relevant policy solutions through four main agendas – economic, environmental, social and political. The theme of the Forum is ‘Adding …

“Youth and investment in women’s leadership” Read More »

During India’s national struggle, the position of women took a turn for the better, writes Abhay Shah, 17, a Correspondent from Siliguri in India. Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Dr. Rajendra Prasad began to think deeply about the urgent need for women’s emancipation. Gandhi, Nehru and Prasad realised that so long as women of the …

“Women and their changing role in India” Read More »

Education is perceived to be a tool for unlocking the world of ignorance. But as Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan, 22, a Correspondent from Benin City, Nigeria, writes, studies show no strong connection between level of education and awareness about – or support of – female genital mutilation. It was just a few years into her induction as a …

“Formal education and FGM: two parallel lines” Read More »

Child marriage is a problem that has persisted in spite of continuous struggle to eliminate it from society, writes Jamila Haruna, 25, a Correspondent from Kaduna state, Nigeria, who describes the system that forces young girls into becoming wives and mothers.  A Global Citizen record shows that at least one girl gets married off every two seconds, …

“Let her be a girl child, not a child bride” Read More »

Physical violence against women is a persistent problem in spite of enlightened legislation, writes Badru Walusansa, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, who is dismayed with comments from an elected official. There is a trending video on social media in which Onesmus Twinamatsiko, the Bugangaizi East County Member of Parliament, publicaly made disheartening …

“Concerted effort needed to end violence” Read More »

A 2017 United Nations report predicts that Nigeria will be the third most populous nation in the world after China and India in 2050. Sola Abe, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Lagos in Nigeria, talked to women about family planning. Unfortunately, Nigeria does not have the capacity to cater for its growing population, and this has led …

“Nigerian women fear family planning” Read More »

A united Africa is possible, writes Kiiza Saddam Hussein, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent who lives in Uganda and Rwanda, who believes there are a few steps that Africa can take to unify the continent. Can you imagine a united Africa? You may be thinking:” What is he talking about? We have the African Union (AU) …

“The Africa we dream of is not farfetched” Read More »