Women in Afghanistan have continued to advocate for their rights and have called on the international community to not only stand in solidarity but to take decisive action to prevent the erosion of their rights and presence in public space. On Monday, the New York missions of Qatar, Indonesia, Ireland and Switzerland, with the Women’s […]

Climate change is driving a mental health crisis and accelerating eco-anxiety. Dr. Emma Lawrance is leading Climate Cares, Imperial College London, a centre dedicated to research on climate change in mental health. The researcher spoke to IPS about the need to address this growing concern.

On the heels of the Summit of the Future and the sidelines of the United Nations High-Level Meeting Week, governments and philanthropies pledged to commit at least USD 350 million to boost family planning, sexual and reproductive health and supplies on the national and global level. As enshrined in the newly-adopted Pact for the Future, […]

Georgia’s ruling party has put LGBTQI+ people firmly in the firing line ahead of next month’s election. On 17 September, parliament gave final approval to a highly discriminatory law that empowers the authorities to censor books and films with LGBTQI+ content, stop discussion of LGBTQI+ issues in schools, ban people from flying rainbow flags and […]

Last week, UN member states adopted the Pact of the Future – and its two annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration for Future Generations. These action-oriented documents are envisaged to counter emerging threats to development and acceleration of progress on Agenda 2030. Nonetheless, there remains little political prioritization of reproductive justice on this agenda. […]

When the weather is bad, the residents of the Litoral neighborhood in Manzanillo, Cuba, are forced to evacuate their houses. When it’s calm, the sea penetrates the foundations of houses, leaving them vulnerable. Now the community is getting together to restore the mangroves and improve the environment to return their homes to safety.

Over the past few months, the escalation of gang violence and mass displacement in Haiti have been of great concern for humanitarian organizations. Severe levels of armed violence have resulted in significant instability, with food insecurity, sexual violence, civilian casualities, and restricted freedom of movement plaguing the nation. Displacement cases have risen sharply, to the […]

We must build a new social contract for education – a contract based on equality, equity, and universal human rights. At the center of our global efforts to ensure education for all, we must put teachers first in everything we do. They are frontlines heroes who deliver every day to educate children, cultivate young talent, […]

When I joined CIVICUS in 2019, I came in with two decades of work on influencing and monitoring public policies through grassroots and global activism. Joining CIVICUS as Secretary-General felt familiar, like returning home after a period of separation. My first international role in 2006 – as Campaign Director of the Global Call to Action […]

The 15 August 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan devastated the lives of millions of Afghans. But the rights and freedoms of women and girls in particular have been progressively trampled by a series of edicts that have created a virtual system of gender apartheid.

On October 11, the United Nations (UN) and its affiliated organizations hosted a conference discussing the increasingly dangerous and exploitative environment that plagues the internet and what can be done to protect children from being exposed to it. Speakers at this conference detailed the developing technologies that threaten children, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which […]

  CIVICUS discusses Afghanistan’s system of gender apartheid with Shaharzad Akbar, Executive Director of Rawadari, a human rights organisation founded by Afghans in exile. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have banned women from all education beyond primary school and most jobs. They don’t allow women to travel without a male guardian or […]

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

  Our world has witnessed unprecedented levels of economic development. The advance of our technological capabilities continues unabated. Our financial resources continue to grow. Yet, as of last year, an estimated 750 million people live in extreme poverty. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $2.15 per day. Roughly 60% of the world’s […]

Social development in a global context shows the risk of trending downwards and not recovering if countries do not minimize the long-term impacts of multiple crises and work towards building up their resilience. As much as this will require national political will, it will also need global cooperation for it to be possible. The United […]

At a rally to mark International Youth Day on August 12 in Tanzania’s southern Mbeya region, John Mnyika stood with a determined expression, addressing his supporters. The air was charged with anticipation. Mnyika, the Secretary-General of Tanzania’s opposition party, Chadema, was preparing to speak about the upcoming elections when the chaos erupted. Without warning, heavily […]

Global warming has far-reaching effects, and certain countries, particularly those with low lying coastal regions, are more vulnerable than others. Bangladesh, the largest delta in the world, is at the forefront of the global warming crisis. Its coastal areas are increasingly exposed to rising sea levels, natural disasters, and salinization, all of which have devastating […]

Children in northern Syria are suffering from hunger, illness, and malnutrition as a result of poverty, poor living conditions for most families, and the collapse of purchasing power amid the soaring prices of all essential food commodities. Displacement and a lack of job opportunities make this worse. Nour al-Hammoud, a 5-year-old girl whose family was […]

Until recently, Margaret Natabi would never have dreamed of taking her anti-corruption fight on the streets of Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Natabi, 24, is a University student. She has first-hand experience of how corruption affects marginalized groups, especially women and girls. She was orphaned during childhood. Her mother died while giving birth to one of her […]

In a significant move to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities and the elderly, six Egyptian parliamentary committees met in Cairo on October 12 to discuss national strategies and legislative efforts. The Forum of Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development and the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), with support from the United […]

Due to worsening political instability, escalating gang violence, and a lack of basic services, Haiti is in the midst of one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world. According to a 2024 ACAPS report, gangs have seized 85 percent of the nation’s capital, Port-Au-Prince, resulting in over 700,000 displaced persons. Many of the […]

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995 during the Fourth World Conference on Women, remains a cornerstone in the global pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment. With the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review fast approaching, now is the time to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that […]

Gang violence has ravaged Haiti, causing thousands of civilian deaths, displacements, and violations of international humanitarian law. Turmoil is expected to escalate following the removal of Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille from office on November 11. On November 10, the Haitian government announced plans to replace incumbent prime minister Conille, with entrepreneur and former senate […]

During an in-house podcast interview, the Economic Freedom Fighters leader said he had been surprised by the suggestion

On the 7th of November 2024, the Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, delivered a keynote address at Bolt South Africa's Global Safety Campaign launch in Johannesburg. The campaign is aimed at improving safety in the e-hailing industry

Azerbaijan's commitment to diversifying its economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions mirrors similar aspirations in Africa

Online gambling platforms are always open, meaning you can gamble when you feel like it

The party has vowed to regain the support it lost to former president Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe party in the May election

Half of the participants in the Taxing Times survey still find compliance with tax obligations difficult

Endangered succulents in the Richtersveld have been given a lifeline from poaching, mining, overgrazing, and climate change

A British business person is keeping the skeleton of the dilapidated R20 million Upper Constantia house, but has to replace the roof and the interior

Inadequate controls on hazardous chemicals contributed to the death of the six children in Soweto

Britney Spears responds to ex husband Kevin Federline's claims with subtle moveBritney Spears has responded to claims made by her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, regarding her recent reunion with their son, Jayden.The Toxic hitmaker took to her Instagram to share another cryptic post with her...

William's new beard style didn't go down well with his daughter, Princess CharlottePrince William has reclaimed his title as the "Sexiest Bald Man Alive" for the second consecutive year, surpassing Hollywood stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. This honour, based on a study of search traffic...

Simon Cowell gets candid about 'punching' 90's popstarRecord executive, Simon Cowell has spilled shocking details about indulging into a physical fight with one of the biggest boy band stars of the 90s.The revelation was made in a newly released documentary Boybands Forever, featuring renowned...

Yale University introduces Beyoncé course: Deets insideBeyoncé’s fans are in for a surprise as Yale University has announced a new course centering on the singer and her iconic legacy.According to Yale Daily News, the new students will “dive deep” into...

During a 1990 visit to Moscow, Princess Anne showcased her signature wit when a student innocently asked her about Buckingham Palace, assuming it was her "private property." With a smile and a quick seven-word retort, the Princess Royal replied, “Well, I don’t know because it...

Jennifer Aniston is one of the highest paid actresses of HollywoodAmerican actress, Jennifer Aniston revealed that she was once told by one of her show’s producers that popular sitcom Friends will not 'make her a star'. Globally acclaimed NBC show aired on TV in 1994. At the same time,...

Meghan Markle ready to make peace with Kate Middleton, Queen Camilla Meghan Markle has reportedly made a big decision about the years-long royal feud.According to Closer magazine, the Duchess of Sussex may take advantage of Christmas to send a message of "peace and harmony" to Kate Middleton...

The Jonas Brothers left Directioners in tears during their recent concert.During their Sunday night concert at Highland, California, the Jonas Brothers covered One Direction’s Night Changes in what appeared to be a tribute to the late Liam Payne. On November 11, Nick, Joe, and Kevin Jonas...

Michael Jackson’s pal Donny Osmond shares reason of their close bonding Michael Jackson and Donny Osmond had quite a similar family background. The Puppy Love crooner made an appearance in MTV Entertainment Studios documentary Larger than Life: Reign of the Boybands, where...

Princess Beatrice stepped into the spotlight earlier this week during a visit to The King’s Foundation’s Future Textiles exhibition at the Garrison Chapel in London. The 36-year-old royal was warmly greeted by Jacqueline Farrell, the charity’s Education Director, and had the...

Armie Hammer takes hilarious dig at “cannibal rapist” allegations in his podcast episode with his mother Dru. The Call By Your Name actor shed light on the sexual abuse and cannibal allegations – which cost his career – in a new podcast interview with his mother.The...

Madonna's close friend reveals she dated Tupac Shakur but never publicised about himPop singer, Madonna silently steps into her single era again, as she reportedly parted ways with her boyfriend, Akeem Morris.A close source revealed that the duo separated in the month of October and their bond had...

Princess Diana's former chauffeur raises eyebrows with shocking revelationPrince William and Prince Harry's mother Princess Diana's former chauffeur has finally broken his silence for the first time in 30 years about his service to the royals.In chat with The Mail on Sunday, Steve Davies revealed...

Princess Kate has found a trusted mentor in the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, 59, as she adjusts to her new role as Princess of Wales. Royal biographer Claudia Joseph revealed that Kate "jumped at the chance" to be mentored by Sophie, describing her as a "tower of strength" and a reliable...

Kate’s morning drink combines seven powerhouse ingredientsKate Middleton is admired not only for her elegance but also for her dedication to health and wellness. The Princess of Wales, is known for her active lifestyle, and reportedly begins each day with an energising green juice...

Blake Shelton previously coached 9 winners over 23 seasons of 'The Voice' before his departure in 2023Blake Shelton isn’t done with music competitions just yet. A year after his departure from The Voice, the country star, 48, is gearing up to launch a new show called The Road, set to air on...

Kirsten Dunst’s breakout role in Interview with the Vampire when she was just 11 years old came with an unexpected supporter: Tom Cruise. In a 2021 interview with Netflix, the Oscar-nominated actress, 42, opened up about how the Hollywood superstar seemed to be rooting for her from the...

Angelina Jolie received an Oscar for film 'Girl, Interrupted'Angelina Jolie has responded to the Oscar buzz surrounding her latest released film, Maria. Amid all the hype, Jolie feels ‘very nice’, but she is far happier to have been a part of a movie which gave her an opportunity of...