The Dynamics of Social Change: Towards the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Five African Countries

New report offers breakthrough to ending female genital mutilation

FLORENCE, Italy 18 November 2010 – A new report provides evidence on how communities across Africa are ending female genital mutilation/cutting FGM/C), despite strong countervailing social pressures.


The Dynamics of Social Change: Towards the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Five African Countries – from UNICEF‟s Innocenti Research Centre – provides solutions and examples of communities ending the practice. The report examines what conditions are necessary for a consensus to abandon FGM/C and identifies strategies for sustainable abandonment.

FORCED SEXUAL RELATIONS among married young women in developing countries

A report by the Population Council (http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/popsyn/PopulationSynthesis1.pdf)

Recent research in developing countries suggests that a considerable number of young women may experience forced sex within marriage, but most women may be inhibited from reporting these experiences due to shame fear of reprisal or deep-rooted unequal gender norms. The consequences of domestic violence can be severe, and in fact, intimate partner violence is one of the leading causes of death among women 15-44 years of age.

GPI at the World Youth Conference, Mexico 2010

 

One of the 208 NGO representatives from 153 countries which met to analyze the current situation facing young people regarding the Millennium Development Goals for 2015, Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) was a part of the World Youth Conference which was held from the 23^rd to 27^th August, 2010.

Thirty-six ministers and government officials from all continents, responsible for youth policies were also present to discuss thirteen important topics for the development of young people.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE AFRICAN YOUTH: Youths Can Make Peace Happen

AFRICAN UNION, November 1st 2010

AFRICAN YOUTH DAY AND THE LAUNCH OF THE

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF YOUTH

Theme: « DIALOGUE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING»

MESSAGE FROM H.E.Mr. Jean PING, CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION.

TO THE AFRICAN YOUTH

On the occasion of the African Youth Day 2010 and the International Year of Youth, I have the great pleasure to convey my sincere congratulations and my best wishes to all African Youth within the continent and the Diaspora!

African Union believes in your dynamism, optimism, solidarity and dedication to make a peaceful Africa, while the Continent is celebrating Peace and Security for sustainable Development. I am fully confident that African youth are playing important role in this process and contributing in sharing the peace values on the Continent, because youth can make peace happen.