GLOBALSOUTH Development Magazine #1 0, July 201 2, A development quarterly ISSN: 1 799-0769, www.silcreation.org

Women of the Revolution In the Aftermath of the Arab Spring Letter to the editor The team Less vulgar, more news how farmers in Argentina Global South Development Magazine is a quarterly magazine have changed from cattle published by Silver Lining Creation, Finland. The magazine covers a development keeping to soya farming and wide range ofdevelopmental issues primarily ofthe developing news! these are the kind of world and is an initiative offreelance writers and development development stories that will activists from different parts of the world. I had a concern on the Argentine story. I felt it was resonate elsewhere in the globe, I presume. Editor-in-Chief not in good taste for a development magazine. While I also found some ofthe Manoj Kr Bhusal almost nude pictures from the [email protected] we all welcome the growth of the movement in Argentina, I gay parade quite out oftaste would have preferred to see for the GSDM content. Please from the story, how the shield us from such in the Assistant Editor future. Ioulia Fenton developments in the gender issues have helped improve Howver, all in all, congrats on your good work! Editorial Assistants governance and delivery of basic rights in Argentina. Irene N. Mwangi Carolynn Look Nairobi, Kenya Dinesh Poudel I have heard on the BBC Suraj Chand Congo crisis, Regional Editors Lingson Adam (East Africa) greed and then Khalid Hussain (South Asia) war and peace Noah Marwil (Latin America) Catriona Knapman (The Middle East) It is most unfortunate Special Correspondents that Congo (DRC) has Mary Namusoke (Women’s issues in Africa) to be assessed along the Roxanne Irani (Global environmental issues) lines of“War & Sandeep Srivastava (Climate change) Aliza Amlani (Global Health) Peace”. Deanna Morris (Livelihood & Global Economic Affairs) Can exploitation and Aparna S Patankar (Global Education) orchestrated rebellions Scott Ruddick (Development Aid & Conflict States) not be exchanged for Hriday Sarma (South-to-South Development Cooperation) Irene Nyambura Mwangi (Development & Democracy in Africa) prudent business Debora Di Dio (Food Soverignty and Rural Livelihoods) practice, good governance and Country Correspondents peacefull development Victoria Lucy Peel Yates (Argentina) ofthe middle and lower Rwanda, Tithe Farhana (Bangladesh) social society in the DRC? Uganda,Zimbabwe and the Dr. Lykke E. Andersen (Bolivia) Is our international greed DR Congo so big that we Marita Haug (Brazil) cannot overcome and James Belgrave (Burundi) for taking as much as Gareth Mace (Cambodia) possible as cheaply as manage Africa prudently? Meerim Shakirova (Central Asia) possible from places like A.J. Meintjes Fady Salah (Egypt) Emily Cavan Lynch (DR Congo) see the problems, take Dr.P.V.Ravichandiran (India) More innovative Alphonce Gari (Kenya) stories needed! photos ofmalnaurished Samuel Adikpe (Nigeria) kids and upload on Ricardo Morel (Peru) facebook and share with Mohamud Hassan (Somalia) I am a regular reader of Moses C Masami (Tanzania) your magazine and most friends. I want to go there Kimbowa Richard (Uganda) and share my experience Jasen Mphepo (Zimbabwe) ofthe issues presented are interesting. However, and knowledge and innovative ideas that I Guest contributors for this issue as a development Sarah Ferst publication, it would be have learned at university great ifyou could also and through magazines Published By focus on positive like yours. Silver Lining Creation RY-Finland technological There is a lot of Email: [email protected] negativity, criticisms and [email protected] developments that can help the developing frustration going on in the http://www.silcreation.org world, so maybe it's time ISSN 1799-0769 world. I'm thinking of to spread some hope and Subscribe free to Global South Development positivity and innovative Magazine at www.silcreation.org spending a few months in ideas and stories. www.gsdmagazine.org Africa as an intern and when I go there, I don't Paul want to go there just to Berlin, Germany Contents Global South Development Magazine, Founded in 2010 July 201 2 ISSUE 10 WWW.SILCREATION.ORG

Women in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya played a prominent role in bringing down entrenched dictatorships, however, there are fears that previous gains made by women might be reversed due to rising social conservatism and religious fundamentalism in the post-revolutionary scenario. Global South In the Frame

In April 2012 UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, announced the appointment ofAngelina Jolie as his Special Envoy. Ms Jolie has taken part in more than 40 field visits for UNHCR during her ten years oftime as a goodwill ambassador. Photo: UNHCR/ J.Tanner

Rice Farmers at Work in Bhutan: Farmers thresh their rice harvest in a field near Punakha, Bhutan. Photo: UN Multimedia

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 4 News Analysis Global South Sri Lanka - not enough action on impunity "there has been some progress in economic development and resettlement in the northern conflict zone, but many problems still exist"

COLOMBO, July 2012 - Sri Lankan “subversive” activity; an independent advisory District, said Tamil people were exhausted by parliamentarians in favour ofacting on the committee to examine the detention and arrest of conflict and would like to find normalcy rather recommendations in a report into the final stages persons in custody to address concerns about than more politics. “These political games have ofthe country’s civil war by the Lessons Learnt indefinite detention without due process under an pushed the country through 30 years ofconflict. I and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) are anti-terrorist law; and addressing grievances from hope this will not be repeated.” slowly gaining ground over those who are not, minority communities, including Muslims in the The executive director ofthe National Peace says a presidential peace process adviser. north and Tamils. Council, Jehan Perera, told IRIN, “While the The government’s initial reaction to the LLRC Tasks government asserts that it is implementing the recommendations was positive, presidential Since then there has been some progress in recommendations, it has not been specific as to adviser and parliamentarian Rajiva Wijesinha told economic development and resettlement in the what it is implementing,” and progress has been IRIN, but others saw the report, released just over northern conflict zone, but many problems still very limited so far. six months ago, as a call for regime change and exist, said Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive The government does not seem keen on were “highly critical”. director ofthe Centre for Policy Alternatives, a Sri implementing governance recommendations that “However I now think we have equilibrium Lankan think-tank. would interfere with the highly “personalized” again, and the more positive forces in government “Progress also made with the rehabilitation of powers ofcurrent leaders, he added. seem likely to go ahead [with implementing the LTTE [Liberation Tigers ofTamil Eelam, the recommendations],” Wijesinha said, noting that separatist movement] cadres, although there are “Resistance” many ofthe LLRC recommendations fell within reports that even after being released they are The government is also inclined to justify its the existing framework ofthe Ministry ofDisaster being questioned and face issues with regard to re- resistance to implementing the LLRC Management and Human Rights. integration in the community,” said recommendations on the grounds that the “We have wasted far too much time in Saravanamuttu. international community is interfering in Sri defending ourselves against gratuitous attacks, Not enough has been done to reach a political Lanka's internal affairs,” Perera said. when a simple general appreciation ofthe LLRC settlement between the sometimes antagonistic The ruling government has largely discredited would have taken us forward more quickly. But we ethnic groups ofTamils and Sinhalese, reports ofhuman rights abuses from international have to realize that other countries play games in demilitarizing the north, punishing impunity, and NGOs. terms oftheir own interests, and we have to be improving governance - such as putting in place The LLRC recommendations included a sensible enough to ignore these and move forward legislation that ensures the right to information - mourning period prior to the country’s in the interests ofpluralism and peace,” he said. and establishing independent commissions to independence day celebrations on 4 February to Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapaksa formed investigate the conflict, Saravanamuttu noted. express solidarity and sympathy with conflict the commission in May 2010 to investigate the The LLRC called for independent victims, but nothing took place, said Ruki final period ofa decades-long civil war between investigations into the UK’s Channel 4 television Fernando ofthe Christian Alliance for Social the government and separatist rebels from the broadcasts in 2011 and 2012, which examined Action, a local NGO. Rather, pro-Sinhalese victory Tamil ethnic group. After an 18-month inquiry, the alleged war crimes, and also into civilian parades rolled out. commission submitted its findings to parliament massacres spanning a decade in the north’s Fernando said there were a number ofcritical on 16 December 2011. Trincomalee District, including the 2006 murder of issues needing urgent attention, including the Human rights groups questioned the group’s 17 workers ofthe French NGO, ActionAgainst continued existence ofa large number of“high impartiality and along with the UN Secretary- Hunger. Saravanamuttu said these investigations security zones” still controlled by Sri Lankan General's Panel ofExperts on Accountability should start immediately. military forces in the north, which prevent large called for an independent inquiry, which the Thavarajah Rasiah, 63, in Jaffna District in the numbers ofpeople returning to their places of government rejected. northern Sri Lanka, told IRIN that residents in the origin. Among dozens ofrecommendations, the LLRC former war zone have been promised much, but Other matters needing urgent attention were called for a special commissioner to investigate seen little. “Lot oftalking and not much alleged attacks on the media, reports ofreligious alleged disappearances and criminal proceedings; improvements”. oftalking and not much harassment, issues oflanguage discrimination, and an amendment to the Registration ofDeaths Act, improvements”. . “Lot oftalking and not much cases ofabuse ofpersonal freedoms, including the which allows a next ofkin to apply for a death improvements”. abuse ofcivil liberties and human rights.(IRIN) certificate ifa person is missing due to Selva Sivaguru, 43, in neighbouring Mannar

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 5 News Analysis Global South Aid must work Rise in sea Worries over new better for Egyptian policy on level can't Afghans in the medicines be stopped, next decade CAIRO, July 2012 -Adecision by the Egyptian Health Ministry to peg local scientists say medicine prices to international ones is causing concern. “This is a catastrophic decision,” Karima Al Hefnawy, a member of Rising sea levels cannot be stopped over the local NGO the Independent Right to Health next several hundred years, even ifdeep emissions Committee, told IRIN. “Egypt is a low-income cuts lower global average temperatures, but they country, which means that linking local can be slowed down, climate scientists said in a medicine prices with international ones will study on Sunday. cause suffering to the poor.” A lot ofclimate research shows that rising Only about 30 percent of Egyptians have greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for health insurance, according to a recent increasing global average surface temperatures by estimate by the NGO. Hitherto, medicine about 0.17 degrees Celsius a decade from 1980- July 2012, Development gains made in prices were set by the ministry, sometimes at 2010 and for a sea level rise ofabout 2.3mm a year Afghanistan over the last decade are in danger of much lower prices than the manufacturing from 2005-2010 as ice caps and glaciers melt. being thrown away iflevels ofaid fall away in cost, leading some suppliers to go out of Rising sea levels threaten about a tenth ofthe conjunction with the withdrawal ofinternational business. world's population who live in low-lying areas and troops in 2014, Oxfam warned. islands which are at risk offlooding, including the Ahead ofa vital donor conference in Tokyo this Caribbean, Maldives and Asia-Pacific island month, Oxfam is calling on governments groups. represented at the summit to maintain levels ofaid More than 180 countries are negotiating a new to the country and ensure this aid reaches the global climate pact which will come into force by Afghan men, women and children who need it 2020 and force all nations to cut emissions to limit most. warming to below 2 degrees Celsius this century The agency is warning that decisions about aid - a level scientists say is the minimum required to levels and spending come at a critical time for avert catastrophic effects. Afghanistan, the country’s single biggest donor, But even ifthe most ambitious emissions cuts the USA, having already dramatically cut Another local NGO, The Medical are made, it might not be enough to stop sea levels development aid by nearly halfin 2011, from rising due to the thermal expansion ofsea water, $4.1bn to $2.5bn. Association, says of the US$10 billion spent on health last year, only about a third came said scientists at the United States' National Centre The withdrawal ofinternational combat forces for Atmospheric Research, U.S. research by the end of2014 is likely to hit the already weak from the government. The government has allocated $4 billion, or 4.8 percent of Egypt’s organisation Climate Central and Centre for Afghan economy even harder with 97 percent of Australian Weather and Climate Research in the country’s gross domestic product related to the total budget in fiscal year 2012-2013, to the health sector. This, experts say, means that Melbourne. international community’s presence. The World "Even with aggressive mitigation measures that Bank has estimated that aid to Afghanistan could individuals will continue to foot most of the health bill in the new fiscal year. limit global warming to less than 2 degrees above drop by as much as 90 percent by 2025. pre-industrial values by 2100, and with decreases Oxfam has urged donors to follow the example Chairman of the Health Ministry’s medicine sector Mohsen Abdelaleem rejected ofglobal temperature in the 22nd and 23rd ofcountries such as the UK, Germany and centuries ... sea level continues to rise after 2100," Australia, who have pledged to maintain or even the concerns, saying the higher prices would allow more pharmaceutical companies to stay they said in the journal Nature Climate Change. increase aid levels in the coming years - or see the This is because as warmer temperatures gains that have been made undermined or even in business, making medicines more widely available.(IRIN) penetrate deep into the sea, the water warms and reversed. expands as the heat mixes through different ocean Almost $60 billion ofaid has been given to regions. Afghanistan since 2001. Over that period life Even ifglobal average temperatures fall and the expectancy in the country has risen dramatically UGANDA: New LGBTI surface layer ofthe sea cools, heat would still be from 47 to 62 years for men and 50 to 64 years for clinic faces fierce mixed down into the deeper layers ofthe ocean, women, with basic health care now accessible in causing continued rises in sea levels. more than 80 per cent ofdistricts. There have also government criticism Ifglobal average temperatures continue to rise, been significant gains in education with more than the melting ofice sheets and glaciers would only 2.7 million girls enrolled in school compared to add to the problem. just a few thousand under the Taliban. However, July 2012, Uganda, Gay rights activists have The scientists calculated that ifthe deepest Afghanistan remains one ofthe poorest countries opened Uganda's first clinic for lesbian, gay, emissions cuts were made and global temperatures in the world. Far too much aid has been poorly bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) cooled to 0.83 degrees in 2100 - forecast based on spent and too often tied to military objectives or people in the capital, Kampala, where it will the 1986-2005 average - and 0.55 degrees by 2300, projects designed to win hearts and minds in the provide testing, counselling and treatment for the sea level rise due to thermal expansion would short term, rather than supporting long-term HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. continue to increase - from 14.2cm in 2100 to development goals. Despite the high level ofHIV among MSM, 24.2cm in 2300. "Any significant cuts in support could have the government has not included the group in Ifthe weakest emissions cuts were made, dire consequences on Afghan people and we its national strategy to fight HIV because temperatures could rise to 3.91 degrees Celsius in cannot let this happen. While the past 11 years homosexual activity is illegal in Uganda. Abill 2100 and the sea level rise could increase to have seen substantial progress, millions of before parliament seeks even more stringent 32.3cm, increasing to 139.4cm by 2300. Afghans still lack adequate healthcare, schools, punishments for people engaging in "Though sea-level rise cannot be stopped for at jobs, or law and order. Agood hard look at the homosexual acts and those perceived to be least the next several hundred years, with way aid is spent inAfghanistan is long overdue. "promoting" homosexuality. aggressive mitigation it can be slowed down, and Donors need to work harder to address the needs The clinic was opened on 19 May 2012 by this would buy time for adaptation measures to be ofwomen and girls, involve local communities in Bishop Christopher Senyonjo - one of the adopted," the scientists added. development projects, increase anti-corruption country's few religious leaders willing to The study is available at efforts, and ensure projects are designed to be speak forgay rights - and is managed by a www.nature.com/nclimate (Reporting by Nina smart, fair and sustainable," said Oxfam’s Louise local gay rights lobby group, Ice Breakers Chestney; Editing by Pravin Char) Hancock, head ofpolicy and advocacy in Uganda (IBU). Afghanistan.(SourceOxfam) Global South Development Magazine July 2012 6 Press Freedom Global South

Burundi, a country praised in recent years for its free and dynamic press and active civil society, is witnessing a worrying deterioration in media freedom. The shrinking space for press freedoms in Burundi

JAMES BELGRAVE GSDM Burundi

Burundi, a country praised in recent years for precedent given that no journalist in Burundi its free and dynamic press and active civil has ever been convicted for such a crime’, and society, is witnessing a worrying deterioration the outcome has caused concern for both in media freedom. Reporters Without Borders’ national and international human rights annual Press Freedom Index reveals a startling activists. trend in this country located in the heart ofthe Following the Gatumba bar attack in 18th "harassment and the African Great Lakes region: between 2008 and September 2011, in which more than 37 2011 Burundi slipped 36 places from 94th to people were killed when gunmen burst into a arbitrary arrest of journalists 130th (of178) in the global rankings for press bar and shot indiscriminately at the crowd (see have been on the rise, and freedom. In recent years, harassment and the article in GSDM N.7), the government arbitrary arrest ofjournalists have been on the imposed a month long news blackout analyses by various experts rise, and analyses by various experts and preventing the media from publishing, and NGOs point to a NGOs point to a situation which is only set to commenting or analyzing information relating worsen this year as the space for press to the attack. The ban was broadly complied situation which is only set to freedom in the country continues to diminish. with by local media, but set a dangerous worsen this year as the 2010 saw the arrest ofseveral journalists, precedent given the lack ofclear and reliable most notably Jean-Claude Kavumbagu, who, information surrounding the Gatumba attack. space for press freedom in in July, was arrested for publishing an article Being a journalist in Burundi is now a the country continues to in which he questioned the state’s ability to hazardous profession which entails significant diminish" respond to a potential terrorist attack by the risks. A recent Human Rights Watch report Somali Islamist militia Al-Shabaab (the (which was itselfbanned in the country), Burundian military presence in Somalia makes points out that the Gatumba attack took place the country a target). He was detained for ten in the context ofa broader pattern of months pending trial and released in May intimidation and harassment ofindependent 2011 having been found guilty of‘threatening Burundian journalists’ and states that the news the national economy’. According to Human blackout may have amounted to a violation of Rights Watch, this sentence is a ‘negative freedom ofexpression.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 7 Press Freedom Global South On the 28th ofNovember 2011 a journalist prosecutor’s office in 2011 for questioning working for Radio France International (RFI) regarding the radio’s programmes. "The fundamental issue is and Bujumbura-based Bonesha FM, Hassan The media, however, is very active in Ruvakuki, was arrested on charges of‘acts of calling for press freedoms and the release of that the Government of terrorism’. He had conducted an interview arrested journalists, and on the 18th ofJune Burundi is highly sensitive to with a member ofa rebel group in this year six ofthe biggest independent radio criticism, and the current neighbouring Tanzania. On the 21th ofJune stations organized a media synergy through 2012, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. which they simultaneously broadcast the same media crackdown is taking Reporters Without Borders described the trial editorial message, calling on the Government place against a backdrop of as a ‘politically orchestrated travesty’. to cease their harassment and unwarranted Later that month, in response to the arrest ofjournalists and to uphold its a deteriorating political and difficult situation faced by journalists, four of constitutional obligations, respect the law and security situation in which the major independent radio stations asked the ensure that freedom ofexpression is public to sound their car horns for 15 seconds guaranteed in Burundi. the Government accuses at 12:20pm to protest against political violence The fundamental issue is that the journalists of siding with the and the muzzling ofjournalists. Having Government ofBurundi is highly sensitive to witnessed this protest first hand, I can confirm criticism, and the current media crackdown is opposition and/or rebel that it was met with popular support and those taking place against a backdrop ofa movements and fifteen seconds were some ofthe noisiest I deteriorating political and security situation in consequently treats them as have experienced in more than 18 months in which the Government accuses journalists of Bujumbura. siding with the opposition and/or rebel enemies" Both Human Rights Watch and Reporters movements and consequently treats them as Without Borders agree that the government is enemies. openly hostile to independent media and both The Government would do well to local and international experts assert that remember the key role that the open and free journalists who report on human rights abuses press and civil society in Burundi played in and on the political situation have been peacebuilding efforts following the end ofthe targeted with repeated summons and threats of war in 2008, and ensure that such advances in arrest. Yet another example is that ofthe chief basic human rights are not undone in an editor ofRadio Publique Africaine, a leading attempt to silence their political opponents. independent radio station based in Bujumbura, (Note: Photos used in the text were taken by who was summoned eight times to the public the author.)

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 8 Natural Resources Latin America

RICARDOMOREL GSDM Peru

“Conga [mining project] will go ahead with or preferring water over gold during his campaign won without social license” – announced Peru´s Prime a large number ofsupporters and raised hope for Minister in early June, after more than a year of change among rural communities. "After 21 years of neo-liberal intense disputes between the national government At that point, the Regional President of and the regional government over the viability of Cajamarca, Gregorio Santos, who publicly governments, left-leaning the US$4.8 billion mining project in Cajamarca, supported Humala’s campaign, had a flexible leader Ollanta Humala took northern Peru. The case ofConga project continues position towards mining, acknowledging the to dominate the national headlines while remaining economic benefits it brought to the region. The office in July 2011 amidst indefinitely suspended with no clear indication of Conga mining project’s viability faced no major huge popular support.His how this conflict will be resolved. problems, however, the idyll did not last long. A In the past two decades the Peruvian economy series oferrors committed by the Executive and the message of preferring water has experienced continued economic growth. This mining company transformed Santos into their main has been boosted by the rise ofthe mining industry, opponent, making Conga the first litmus test for over gold during his which comprises more than halfofthe national Humala’s left leaning government. campaign won a large GDP. Paradoxically, this achievement has been followed by a considerable increase ofsocial number of supporters and The political scenario conflicts, mainly related to extractive industries, Peruvian law dictates that a mining project with which operate in territories that serve as a source of raised hope for change an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) livelihood and cultural meaning for local approved by the Ministry ofEnergy and Mines is among rural communities." communities. This dynamic has gradually de- legally viable. However, the legality ofan approved legitimized the political system, diluted confidence EIAis not enough to put forward a project. in the central government, and created a Legitimacy needs to be upheld by all stakeholders, governance deficit. especially in a highly fragmented scenario where After 21 years ofneo-liberal governments, left- the central government –which concentrates all leaning leader Ollanta Humala took office in July decision-making powers over mining policy– is 2011 amidst huge popular support. His message of distanced from the local and regional governments,

World Water Day Demonstration on Proposed Conga Gold Mine Site, Cajamarca Region, Peru © Diego Cupolo

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 9 Natural Resources Latin America as well as the civil society. This is particularly true Soon opposition supporters from all over the when mining activities occur in remote region began to mobilize. In the midst ofintense communities where extractive industries tend to popular pressure, former Prime Minister and current operate. presidential spokesperson, Salomon Lerner, Regional and local governments lack capacity appeared in a press conference alongside "Conga, as a project, and and power to regulate activities that might raise Newmont’s Operations Vice-President to declare the conflict behaviours in their own territories. suspension ofConga’s activities. Having a high- Cajamarca, as a region, Consequently, all regional and local grievances ranking government official appear with a Newmont could be a milestone in regarding mining operations travel directly to the Executive on national television only served to capital city ofLima. Even at the national level, it is increase distrust for the government. Peru’s history if the right the Ministry ofEnergy and Mines –an institution Opposition continued and, in response, the generally seen as biased towards the private sector– government declared a state ofemergency in bridges are built" which has the final word when approving the Cajamarca, mobilizing police forces and closely viability ofprojects, without necessarily having to watching opposition leaders. By the end of2011, consult with other relevant Ministries regarding the the situation became unbearable. Prompting the "Mining companies need to issues ofenvironment or social development. resignation ofPrime Minister, Lerner was replaced by former Minister ofInterior, Oscar Valdes. improve their strategy by Briefchronology ofthe conflict: Succeeding Prime Minister Valdes called for an international prioritising the errors technical assessment ofConga’s EIA viability. As Cajamarca, a traditional farming and the report was delivered inApril 2011, President strengthening of stockbreeding region, experienced the mining boom Humala introduced a series ofnew conditions to the relationships before starting when Yanacocha –run mainly by US-based project, such as increasing labour and protecting Newmont Mining Corporation– started operations natural water sources. Yanacocha was not operations" over two decades ago. Newmont’s mining activities previously consulted on these changes, but in Yanacocha, the world’s second largest gold mine, eventually agreed to the new terms. have built up a negative reputation due to Still, since mid-June roadblocks have been environmental disasters and a record ofstrong occurring in different parts ofCajamarca, generating clashes with local communities. Despite this local shortage offood supply and other resources. (and even national) perception ofthe firm, Newmont decided to attach the Conga project to Lessons learned Yanacocha brand, thus transmitting Yanacocha’s Conga, as a project, and Cajamarca, as a region, stigmas to the yet-to-be-born Conga mine. could be a milestone in Peru’s history ifthe right In March 2011, Newmont announced in New bridges are built. The Government could strengthen York that not only Conga but also Quillish –another the decentralization process, giving more Yanacocha-brand project suspended since 2004 due participation to the regional government in EIA to strong opposition– would start operations in processes, mining concessions, right to prior 2016. This was later confirmed by President consultation, and wealth distribution. In general, the Humala who, in October 2011, after returning from idea is to get regional governments more involved the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) by increasing their responsibilities and, thus, Conference in Hawaii, personally gave the green making them part ofthe national political light to the Conga project. machinery. The decision generated surprise among the local Mining companies need to improve their strategy population, but particularly with Santos, who by prioritising the strengthening ofrelationships trusted his, friend-now-President, Humala and had before starting operations. Not only should these not been informed beforehand. Santos saw his efforts be focused on creating inroads with local power undermined. As NGOs and defence fronts communities but also should concentrate on started mobilizing, Santos saw an opportunity to bringing local and regional governments, as well as gain political relevance by joining the assault. Later NGOs, into the political fold. In essence, ifdialogue that month, the regional government ofCajamarca and transparency are not present across all fronts, turned radical by stating that the Newmont’s CEO history will repeat itself. Peru needs to add should declare Conga unviable. legitimacy to legality and sustainability to viability.

PHOTO CORNER

Education in Tanzania Despite significant achievement through massive investment under the government’s Primary Education Development Plans (I&II) for over 8 years coupled with numerous interventions by NGOs both local and National, the state ofeducation in some rural parts ofTanzania is still appalling. Learning outcomes not convincing and the learning-teaching environment is still far from being improved. Facing the situation like the pictured one at Mwamagembe Primary school in Kishapu district, Shinyanga region in Tanzania, one may wish to pause and ask a number ofquestions: what is wrong? Have, as a country and global community been able to identify let alone address the root cause ofthe education challenges? Even more importantly, how do we get out ofsuch alarming learning environment hampering quality education for all? Pictured is Oxfam’s Education Programme Officer, Mary Soko who visited the school to monitor progress ofthe WASH facilities that Oxfam sponsored. Photo by Lingson Adam/ GSDM West Africa

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 10 Cover Story Women of the Revolution

Women of the Revolution! In the Aftermath of the Arab Spring Women in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya played a prominent role in bringing down entrenched dictatorships, however, there are fears that previous gains made by women might be reversed due to rising social conservatism and religious fundamentalism in the post- revolutionary scenario.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 11 Cover Story Women of the Revolution

Photo: Gigi Ibrahim

After 18 days ofangry protests in front ofSana'a University, calling for Cairo's Tahrir Square, president Hosni Yemen's President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to Mubarak resigned on February 11, ending step down. Karman became an 30 years ofautocratic rule. Hundreds of international face ofpeaceful revolution thousands ofpeople gathered and chanted and was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace slogans against the regime until it finally Prize. toppled. Obviously, anger, frustration and While Asmaa Mahfouz ofEgypt and a deep rooted desire for change fueled the Tawakel Karman ofYemen were actively revolution, but many believe it was organizing protests and participating in Asmaa Mahfouz's YouTube video that did them directly, the Tunisian Lina Ben the magic and compelled people to turn Mhenni took a different approach. up to Tahrir Square and oppose Through a blog, Mhenni reported the dictatorship. protests throughout Tunisia, at times "The world hasn't forgotton The 26 year old university student becoming the only source ofinformation made a video and posted on YouTube to activists within Tunisia and also to the women's contribution in the announcing her intention to go to the outside world. Arab Uprisings, but the square on 25 January, she challenged These three names mentioned here are danger is that they are being Egyptians to take to the street, saying, 'If just representative examples ofhundreds you think yourselfa man, come with me ofthousands ofwomen that made the forgotten in their own lands by on 25 January. Whoever says women Arab Uprising possible. Through satellite their own regimes" shouldn’t go to protests because they will television and on social networking sites get beaten, let him have some honor and we saw how vigorously these women manhood and come with me on 25 organized themselves and bravely January. Whoever says it is not worth it challenged tyranny and dictatorship. The because there will only be a handful of world hasn't certainly forgotten that. But people, I want to tell him, 'You are the the danger is that due to a surprising rise reason behind this, and you are a traitor, ofconservatism and fundamental just like the president or any security cop religious ideologies after the revolutions who beats us in the streets.' in the region, women might be forgotten In Yemen, another woman, Tawakel and oppressed in their own lands, by the Karman, led the pro-democracy regimes that are built on the same campaigns, camping out for months in women's sweat, blood and toil.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 12 Cover Story Women of the Revolution

Photo by Clinton Verley

Tawakel Karman, 33, Yemen Photo: David Sasaki 'Mother of the Revolution' Lina Ben Mhenni, 29, Tunisia Asmaa Mahfouz, 27, Egypt The Revolutionary Blogger Tawakel Karman became the the woman who organized Egypt's international public face ofthe 2011 historic demonstrations During the rule offormer Tunisian Yemeni uprising that is part ofthe Asmaa Mahfouz is an Egyptian President Zine El Abidine BenAli, Lina Arab Spring uprisings. She has been activist and one ofthe founders of Mhenni was one ofthe few bloggers to called by Yemenis the "Iron Woman" the April 6 Youth Movement. She has blog using her real name rather than and "Mother ofthe Revolution. She been credited by journalist Mona adopting a pseudonym to protect her is a co-recipient ofthe 2011 Nobel identity. Her blog, as well as her Eltahawy and others with helping to Facebook and Twitter accounts, were Peace Prize, becoming the first spark mass uprising through her Yemeni, the first Arab woman, and censored under the Ben Ali regime. video blog posted one week before Mhenni began posting photos and video the second Muslim woman to win a the start ofthe 2011 Egyptian ofprotests ofthose injured throughout Nobel Prize and the youngest Nobel revolution where she said,'Ifyou Tunisia. In an effort to make the Peace Laureate to date. thinkyourselfa man, come with me government responsible for its actions Karman is a Yemeni journalist, on 25 January. Whoever says women and to the people who were harmed in politician and senior member ofthe shouldn’t go to protests because they these uprisings, she visited local ofAl-Islah political party, and human will get beaten, let him have some hospitals and took pictures ofthose rights activist who heads the group honor andmanhoodandcome with harmed by police. "Women Journalists Without In January 2011, she covered the me on 25 January. Whoever says it is early weeks ofthe Tunisian Revolution Chains," which she co-founded in not worth it because there will only 2005. She gained prominence in her from Sidi Bouzid Governorate in the be a handful ofpeople, Iwant to tell interior ofthe country. Mhenni was the country after 2005 in her roles as a him, 'You are the reason behind this, only blogger present in the interior cities Yemeni journalist and an advocate and you are a traitor, just like the ofKasserine and Regueb when for a mobile phone news service president or any security cop who government forces massacred and denied a license in 2007, after which beats us in the streets.'The video suppressed protesters in the region. Her she led protests for press freedom. went viral and hundreds ofthousands reports and posts provided uncensored She organized weekly protests after ofpeople appeared on the 25 January information to other Tunisian activists May 2007 expanding the issues for protest.She is a prominent member of and the international media. reform. She redirected the Yemeni Mhenni's blog, ATunisian Girl Egypt's Coalition ofthe Youth ofthe (http://atunisiangirl.blogspot.com), is protests to support the "Jasmine Revolution and in 2011, she was one Revolution," as she calls the Arab written in Arabic, English, and offive recipients ofthe "Sakharov French.Mhenni has been awarded the Spring, after the Tunisian people Prize for Freedom ofThought" Deutsche Welle International Blog overthrew the government ofZine El awarded for contributions to "historic Award and El Mundo’s International Abidine BenAli in January 2011. changes in the Arab world." Journalism Prize.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 13 Cover Story Women of the Revolution

CATRIONA KNAPMAN GSDM Middle East

Despite women’s full and dynamic representatives out of508, or 2% women. participation in the 2011 revolutions, their In global terms, Egypt has one ofthe "In Tunisia, ideas of equality participation in the evolving democracies lowest percentages ofwomen were already prevalent in in these countries has been marked with parliamentary representatives in the world, law and society, which has difficulties and complications. according to Inter-Parliamentary Union Each country has demonstrated its own (http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm). been reflected in a unique approach to these issues, However The election ofthe first Constituent reasonable representative they are linked by the common threat of Assembly also saw only 6 women chosen presentation of women. under-representation ofwomen in public for the 100 member panel. This first life and political participation. Assembly was abandoned due to protest Indeed quotas assured 50% In Tunisia, ideas ofequality were regarding its representation ofnot just inclusion of women on already prevalent in law and society, which women, but ofthe full diversity of electoral lists and ultimately has been reflected in a reasonable Egyptian society. The replacement 24% representation in the representative presentation ofwomen. committee, elected in June 2012, included Indeed quotas assured 50% inclusion of 7 women out ofthe 100 new members, Constituent Assembly, women on electoral lists and ultimately which was hardly much ofan which translated into 58 out 24% representation in the Constituent improvement. of 217 members,or 26.7% Assembly, which translated into 58 out of The Egypt’s streets, this issue is also 217 members, or 26.7% women prevalent. Various stories tell the tale of women parliamentarians." parliamentarians. A woman is also deputy harassment and attacks on women in speaker in this body. While the number do public life. The 2011 International "In Egypt, this under- not represent full equality, it is equitable to Women’s Day march was marked by most Western democracies in terms of harassment ofwomen protestors. Imposed representation has been women’s political participation. Indeed, it virginity testing was recorded as taking on seen in both the streets and is a higher number ofwomen MPs than in women protestors by human rights political bodies.The the UK, which has 22%. organisations. During protests in early June Tunisia has also not suffered the same 2012, women were reportedly being Parliament, elected in problems regarding safety and attacks of attacked in and near to Tahrir Square by November 2011, had a women protesters as have been seen in large groups ofmen. Reports stated that mere 10 women Egypt. Yet, there are fears ofan Islamic the women were sexually assaulted by representatives out of 508, resurgence from some parties. They are mobs of men. concerned that the majority presence ofthe Egyptian women’s group, Nazra or 2% women.In global Islamist party ‘Ennahda’ in the Institute for Feminist Studies claims that: terms,Egypt has of the Constitutent Assembly will mean the “(t)he attack on the women was calculated lowest percentages of creation oflaws which impose the sharia at and organized so as to scare women away the expense ofwomen’s freedoms. These from the public sphere, to punish women women parliamentary fears are still to be confirmed. for their participation, and to keep them at representatives in the In Egypt, this under-representation has home to avoid the premeditated attacks world" been seen in both the streets and political against them.” bodies. The Parliament, elected in These attacks show that women’s place November 2011, had a mere 10 women in public protests as well as public life is

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 14 Cover Story Women of the Revolution being itselfattacked and undermined. lobbying campaigns around Constitutional While the women organisations continue to and legal change. Women4Libya is "Yet women groups are fight, the continued dominance ofthe demanding that certain funds are ear- fighting back.Many have military in Egypt and the increasingly marked for women’s issues. Others have been organising training and tense and uncertain political situation is been involved in graffiti campaigns to rendering women’s participation more and paint women’s faces onto the walls ofthe support for women political more complex. streets. In Egypt, one organisation, called activists and Parliamentary In Libya, women have also faced Harassmap is recording and mapping candidates" challenges as well as an unstable incidents and testimony ofharassment environment. Following the revolution, against women. rape committed against women by armed It seems that the struggle for women’s "In Egypt, one organisation, forces became a key issue. Stories emerged rights continues in post-revolution Middle called Harassmap is ofhonour killings being carried out by East. Prejudices from certain readings of recording and mapping families against women who had been Islam appear to influence the attitudes and raped, demonstrating a strong patriarchy acceptation ofwomen’s participation in incidents and testimony of system. public and political life. The prevalence of harassment against women" While United Nations Security Council a strong patriarchal system also has its mandate 1325, highlights the important effect in limiting the progress ofwomen in role women play in peacebuilding, only post-revolution North Africa. somewhat stuck. The stance of one woman is a member ofthe National However, it can seem overly easy to women’s groups and movements Transitional Council, Dr. Salwa Fawzi El- assume that the culprit ofwomen’s remains defiant, yet answers must be Deghali. In terms ofpolitical exclusion in the Middle East originates untangled from a sticky web of representation, provision has been made to from women. In this sense it is worth social, political and religious politics. include a quota ofat least 10% women in noting how other societies included and What is certain is that these new the new Parliament, to be elected in July. excluded women, following revolutions. democracies offer a platform which Yet women groups are fighting back. As post-revolutionary new democracies ensures that this debate will continue Many have been organising training and in the Middle East and North Africa slowly to be discussed for a long time into support for women political activists and move forward, the question ofwomen’s the future. Parliamentary candidates. There are also equality and participation remains

Mohamed Bouazizi Tunisia in protest ofsocial and political Mohamed Bouazizi was a Tunisian street issues in the country. The public's anger and vendor who set himselfon fire on 17 violence intensified following Bouazizi's December 2010, in protest ofthe death, leading then-President Zine El confiscation ofhis wares and the harassment Abidine BenAli to step down on 14 January and humiliation that he reported was inflicted 2011, after 23 years in power. on him by a municipal official and her aides. His act became a catalyst for the Tunisian The success ofthe Tunisian protests inspired Revolution and the widerArab Spring, protests in several otherArab countries, plus inciting demonstrations and riots throughout several non-Arab countries.

Source: Wikimedia Foundation

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 15 Cover Story Women of the Revolution

TAWAKEL KARMAN

Tawakel Karman is a Yemeni journalist, politician and senior member of the ofAl-Islah political party, and human rights activist who heads the group "Women Journalists Without Chains," which she co-founded in 2005.She has been called by Yemenis the "Iron Woman" and "Mother of the Revolution" and is also a co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. In this edition we present a few excerpts from her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech where she talks about the success of the Arab uprisings and the future of freedom and democracy in the Arab world.

The revolutions ofthe Arab Spring in Tunisia, free people ofthe world. Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria, and the All ideologies, beliefs, laws and charters "the Arab world is today movement towards revolutions in other Arab produced by the march ofhumanity through all countries, such as Algeria, Morocco, Bahrain, stages ofits development, as well as all divine witnessing the birth of a Sudan and others, in terms ofmotivation, driving messages and religions, without exception, oblige power and objectives, did not take place on us to support oppressed people, be they groups or new world, which tyrants isolated islands cut offfrom all the rapid and individuals. Supporting an oppressed person is astonishing changes which our world is not only required because ofhis need for support, and unjust rulers strive to witnessing. The Arab people have woken up just but also because injustice against one person is to see how poor a share offreedom, democracy injustice against all mankind. oppose.But in the end, this and dignity they have. And they revolted. This What Martin Luther King called "the art of experience is somewhat similar to the spring that living in harmony" is the most important art we new world will inevitably swept through Eastern Europe after the downfall need to master today. In order to contribute to that ofthe Soviet Union. The birth ofdemocracies in human art, the Arab states should make emerge" Eastern Europe has been difficult, and victory reconciliation with their own people an essential emerged only after bitter struggle against the requirement. This is not merely an internal then-existing systems. Similarly, the Arab world interest, but also an international one required for "The peace in which they is today witnessing the birth ofa new world, the whole human community. The dictator who which tyrants and unjust rulers strive to oppose. kills his own people does not only represent a lived is a false "peace of But in the end, this new world will inevitably case ofviolation ofhis people’s values and their emerge. national security, but is also a case ofviolation of graves," the peace of The Arab people who are revolting in a human values, its conventions and its peaceful and civilized manner have, for so many international commitments. Such a case submission to tyranny and decades, been oppressed and suppressed by the represents a real threat to world peace. regimes ofauthoritarian tyrants who have Many nations, including the Arab peoples, corruption that indulged themselves deeply in corruption and in have suffered, although they were not at war, but looting the wealth oftheir people. They have were not at peace either. The peace in which they impoverishes people and gone too far in depriving their people offreedom lived is a false "peace ofgraves," the peace of and ofthe natural right to a dignified life. They submission to tyranny and corruption that kills their hope for a better have gone too far in depriving them ofthe right to impoverishes people and kills their hope for a participate in the management oftheir personal better future. Today, all ofthe human community future" affairs and the affairs oftheir communities. These should stand up with our people in their peaceful regimes have totally disregarded the Arab people struggle for freedom, dignity and democracy, now as a people with a legitimate human existence and that our people have decided to break out of have let poverty and unemployment flourish silence and strive to live and realize the meaning among them in order to secure that the rulers, and ofthe immortal phrase ofCaliph Umar ibn al- their family members after them, will have full Khattab: "Since when have you enslaved people, control over the people. Allow me to say that our when their mothers gave birth to them free?" oppressed people have revolted, declaring the When I heard the news that I had got the emergence ofa new dawn in which the Nobel Peace Prize, I was in my tent in the Tahrir sovereignty ofthe people, and their invincible Square in Sana’a. I was one ofmillions of will, will prevail. The people have decided to revolutionary youth. There, we were not even break free and walk in the footsteps ofcivilized able to secure our safety from the repression and

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 16 Cover Story Women of the Revolution

oppression ofthe regime ofAli Abdullah Saleh. edge offailure and collapse during the last 33 At that moment, I contemplated the distinction years. "Millions of Yemeni women between the meanings ofpeace celebrated by the Our peaceful and popular youth revolution is Nobel Prize and the tragedy ofthe aggression not isolated or cut offfrom the revolutions ofthe and men, children, young waged by Ali Abdullah Saleh against the forces of Arab Spring. However, with all regret and peaceful change. However, our joy ofbeing on sadness, I should note that it did not get the and old,took to the streets the right side ofhistory made it easier for us to international understanding, support or attention bear the devastating irony. ofthe other revolutions in the region. This should in 18 provinces demanding Millions ofYemeni women and men, children, haunt the world’s conscience, because it young and old, took to the streets in 18 provinces challenges the very idea offairness and justice. their right to freedom, demanding their right to freedom, justice and I would like to emphasize that the Arab Spring dignity, using nonviolent but effective means to revolutions have emerged with the purpose of justice and dignity, using achieve their demands. We were able to meeting the needs ofthe people ofthe region for a efficiently and effectively maintain a peaceful state ofcitizenship and the rule oflaw. They have nonviolent but effective revolution in spite ofthe fact that this great nation emerged as an expression ofpeople’s has more than 70 million firearms ofvarious dissatisfaction with the state ofcorruption, means to achieve their types. Here lies the philosophy ofthe revolution, nepotism and bribery. These revolutions were which persuaded millions ofpeople to leave their ignited by young men and women who are demands" weapons at home and join the peaceful march yearning for freedom and dignity. They know that against the state’s machine ofmurder and their revolutions pass through four stages which violence just with flowers and bare breasts, and can’t be bypassed: toppling the dictator and his filled with dreams, love and family, toppling his security peace. We were very happy and military services and his "These revolutions were because we realized, at that time, nepotism networks, that the Nobel Prize did not come establishing the institutions of ignited by young men and only as a personal prize for the transitional state, and Tawakkul Abdel-Salam Karman, moving towards constitutional women who are yearning but as a declaration and legitimacy and establishing the for freedom and dignity" recognition ofthe whole world modern civil and democratic for the triumph ofthe peaceful state. revolution ofYemen and as an Thus, the revolutions ofthe appreciation ofthe sacrifices of Arab Spring will continue "the revolutions of the Arab its great, peaceful people. through the efforts of youth, And here I am now, standing who are ready and prepared to Spring will continue through before you in this solemn launch each stage and to fully international ceremony. Here I achieve its objectives. Today the efforts of youth,who am, in this unique moment, one of the world should be ready and the most important moments of prepared to support the young are ready and prepared to human history, coming from the Arab Spring in all stages ofits land ofthe Arab Orient, coming struggle for freedom and launch each stage and to from the land ofYemen, the Yemen ofwisdom dignity. The civilized world should, immediately and ancient civilizations, the Yemen ofmore than after the outbreak ofthe revolutions, commence fully achieve its objectives. 5,000 years oflong history, the great Kingdom of the detention and freezing ofthe assets ofthe Sheba, the Yemen ofthe two queens Bilqis and figures ofthis regime and its security and military Today the world should be Arwa, the Yemen which is currently experiencing officials. In fact, this is not enough, since these the greatest and the most powerful and the largest people should be brought to justice before the ready and prepared to eruption ofArab Spring revolution, the revolution International Criminal Court. There should be no support the young Arab ofmillions throughout the homeland, which is immunity for killers who rob the food ofthe still raging and escalating today. people. Spring in all stages of its This revolution will soon complete its first The democratic world, which has told us a lot year since the moment it was launched as a about the virtues ofdemocracy and good struggle for freedom and peaceful and popular revolution ofthe youth, with governance, should not be indifferent to what is one demand: peaceful change and the pursuit of happening in Yemen and Syria, and happened dignity" free and dignified life in a democratic and civil before in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, and happens state governed by the rule oflaw. This state will in every Arab and non-Arab country aspiring for be built on the ruins ofthe rule ofa repressive, freedom. All ofthat is just hard labor during the militarized, corrupt and backward family police birth ofdemocracy, which requires support and rule, which has consistently brought Yemen to the assistance, not fear and caution.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS women’s rights groups in the Arab world governments to live up to their countries’ are fighting for rights set forth in the United commitments under the treaty and withdraw AND THE ARAB Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of all reservations. Many governments in the SPRING All Forms ofDiscrimination Against region need to take further steps to align Women (CEDAW), the most national laws with existing international comprehensive women’s rights treaty, and commitments under CEDAW. However, Successful uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt are using it to demand government action. while many area governments have yet to in 2010-2011 have sparked movements Written in 1979 and entered into force in live up to CEDAW’s principles, women’s against dictatorships across the Middle East, 1981, CEDAW has been ratified by 187 rights activists continue to leverage North Africa, and the Gulfregion. These nation-states, including every Arab country governments’ desire to appear to be in movements call for democratization, new except Somalia and Sudan. However, each compliance with CEDAW as a way to constitutions that protect equality, free Arab state has ratified the treaty with advance their cause. (Source:Women's speech and assembly, and fair elections. substantial reservations that undermine the Learning Partnership) Women have been an integral part ofthese treaty’s spirit. revolutions, organizing and marching CEDAW is a critical tool in the fight to alongside men. Now, as countries in the advance women’s rights in a democratizing region are in the process ofbuilding new Arab world. Across the region, women have governments, women’s activists know they been using CEDAW to pressure must fight to play a substantial role. governments to take meaningful steps to Today, just as before the Arab Spring, advance women’s rights, and to push new

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 17 Cover Story Women of the Revolution Sierra Leone:Are more women in parliament enough? Legislating Equality Ahead of Sierra Leone’s 2012 Elections

Awoman in the village of Njama in Kailahun District, Sierra Leone

"Despite impressive abundance of agricultural

IOULIA FENTON and natural mineral GSDM Assistant Editor resources, Sierra Leone has a deep aid dependency Sierra Leone is a country marred by political and less than 5% were women (six in total with two social instability. It was not until 2002 that it saw additional female Cabinet Ministers and Deputy problem, relying on donors an official end to its brutal 11-year civil war, in Ministers). Like many other African countries, which tens ofthousands were killed, hundreds of Sierra Leone is pushing for passage ofthe The for most of its basic service thousands were displaced and numerous youth Gender Equality Bill ahead ofits November 2012 were abducted as child soldiers. The struggle still election. It is a legislation currently awaiting a provision and government continues as weak security, legal and political parliamentary vote to be passed into law that aims institutions threaten stability in this fragile state to stipulate mandated quotas, reserving at least spending.This requires the that ranked bottom of177 in UNDP’s 2005 Human 30% ofparliament and local council seats for Development Index, a composite statistical women. This is proportion called for at the 1995 country to meet donor analysis measuring quality oflife and standard of UN Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women criteria, such as placing living. Despite the impressive abundance of that put “gender mainstreaming” as a top donor agricultural and natural mineral resources, Sierra priority on the global development map. more females in the highest Leone has a deep aid dependency problem, relying More women in parliament is, in part, the right on donors for most ofits basic service provision idea. But putting more pant suits on political seats echelons of the country’s and government spending. This requires the does not go far enough, according to Ms Khadija country to meet donor criteria, such as placing Bah, who has a long and distinguished career as a democratically elected and more females in the highest echelons ofthe senior policy advisor and gender mainstreaming country’s democratically elected and specialist at the World Bank, United Nations, the decentralising certain decentralising certain government operations, to New Partnership for Africa's Development and the qualify for funding. like. For her, gains through higher representation government operations, to Sierra Leone has an estimated population of6 in numbers are only superficial ifthey come about million, 51-53% ofwhom are women. Yet, as a result ofquotas and other forms oflegislated qualify for funding." political representation at the turn ofthe century equality. She posits that the problem with quotas was dreadfully low. Out of124 parliamentarians, lies in the fact that the appointed women have little

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 18 Cover Story Women of the Revolution

or no experiences in the process to make any Leone her absolute highest priority, calling for a significant change: “[these women] don’t know zipper style ofrepresentation: one man, one anything about the process, they can barely write - woman, with the ultimate goal offollowing in the all they do is go meeting to meeting to conference footsteps oftheir African neighbours - Liberia and to conference without making a change… They Malawi - by electing their first female president. would not be good candidates to run on their own for parliament”. The 50/50 group was This truly is the crux ofthe matter formally launched in since, for many, ‘gender the Sierra Leone mainstreaming’ in the form ofquotas House ofParliament can be detrimental to the cause. They six months before the are an imposition ofsorts and only 2002 general serve to reinforce the men’s view that elections. Through women’s place is anywhere but advocacy, lobbying politics because they are not and grass roots "for many,‘gender competing on merit. These statutes training work, it can are also threatening and boast an impressive mainstreaming’ in the form confrontational, leaving some list ofachievements in observers unhopeful that the Sierra the run up to the of quotas can be Leone Gender Equality Bill will ever elections: it has be passed. Officially, on paper, the trained a network of detrimental to the cause. Government ofSierra Leone over 60 trainers based subscribes to the Beijing call for at least 30% of across Sierra Leone, published a training manual, They are an imposition of female representation in politics. Yet, despite this trained over 2000 women in campaign, and the apparent widespread popular female sorts and only serve to communication and advocacy skills and the role of support for the Bill, it is not well received by those women in Parliament and produced a women’s currently in power, as one male Parliamentarian reinforce the men’s view manifesto. At the end ofthe 2002 elections, ofthe noted, “Why would I support a law that would aim 165 women who stood for election,18 were to de-seat me?” that women’s place is successful. There was a 50 per cent increase in This reasoning can be seen to be a major hurdle female candidates running in the ministerial and for many gender mainstreaming efforts. Ms Bah, anywhere but politics deputy ministerial categories, but most impressive for example, has seen her fair share offailures, ofall, the elections recorded the country’s very stating that “Gender work is not taken seriously, it because they are not first female presidential and vice-presidential is sidelined and done just because without it there candidates. " would be no donor money”. In her experience competing on merit Despite these improvements, according to UN working in Sierra Leone and over twenty other Women, today, “female political participation rates African countries, the gender focal point is rarely [in Sierra Leone] remain abysmally low”. Out of more than a receptionist or a specialist ofanother "It is not enough,for 124 parliamentarians, only 17 are women (14%) topic who has been saddled with being the “gender and only 18.9 per cent ofcouncillors in the local girl”. example, to have parliament government are female, with less than 10 per cent Replacing gendered parliamentary quotas and involvement in top civil service positions and other imposed ‘quantitative’ measures with the seats or higher education virtually zero representation at the level of selection and nourishment ofwomen who can chairperson or the ranks ofParamount Chiefs, actually do the job well is what Khadija Bah places reserved for women. Ministers, foreign service and alike. And the would prefer. But the road is long and she is women who do succeed are not without their realistic that greater physical numbers do serve as To save gender equality critics. Most tend to be from the ranks ofthe well- good starting points. However, to really make a educated, urban middle and upper classes, leaving difference, she would see Sierra Leone and Africa from becoming little more open the question ofwhether they can truly “do away with gender altogether”. Instead, she represent the needs ofthe majority ofSierra than lip service paid to keep believes, they should focus on social inclusion, Leone’s rural and poor women. being mindful ofthe differences in the needs of There is a third and crucially important part of the donors content, a men and women and pitching the two sexes as social transformation that needs to accompany allies rather than enemies towards shared goals. It greater representation and capacity building of transformation on the is not enough, for example, to have parliament women. For Ms Bah, the term ‘gender’ itselfhas seats or higher education places reserved for become a problem. societal level is needed to women. To save gender equality from becoming “It comes with a lot ofbaggage,” she said little more than lip service paid to keep the donors “when people hear the word ‘gender’ they see it as create lasting change " content, a transformation on the societal level is women taking over men, whilst the concept is too needed to create lasting change. Providing women abstract to operationalize and thus is stuck at the time offand pay sufficient enough to support institutional level, without trickling down to the women’s reproductive duties at home and ensuring social level. Therefore, legislation without an equal level oftraining that will allow women to enforcement and social transformation will not succeed by their own virtue would be a good start. help women,” she continued, “if, instead, we focus A two-pronged approach ofincreasing the on issues ofsocial inclusion, such as talk about presence ofwomen in the public sector and inequalities different groups like women, youth, building their capacity is already underway in the disabled and so on experience, we can do a Sierra Leone since the mission to achieve higher whole lot more”. female representation in government has been It is true that some progress in absolute given significant boosts by a few notable numbers offemale representation in the politics of organisations that have championed the cause. The Sierra Leone has been achieved and the November 50/50 Group is one such example. It was set up by 2012 elections promise to be the most feminised in a handful ofSierra Leonean women in 2000 under history. How much this is having a real impact on the leadership ofDr. Nemata Majeks-Walker and female empowerment and greater equality in has now risen to the self-professed heights of“a access to opportunities remains debatable and the movement for Women’s Empowerment and a force critics are many. Certainly larger scale changes to reckon with”. across societies and cultures would need to take “I have always believed in women’s rights and place before true equality is achieved, however, that women have a role to play in politics and the greater numbers are a sure step in the right government”, said Dr Majeks-Walker in an direction. After all, as Khadija Bah said: “You interview. For over a decade, she made women’s cannot build a house from the roofup and you participation in the political process ofSierra cannot promote women ifthe women are absent”.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 19 Country Profile Mexico MÉXICO

CAROLYNN LOOK GSDM country profiles

12 PM, Mexico City. Astreet vendor followed, until the Spanish resistance finally was also responsible for widespread prepares some ofthe most delicious (and gave in and recognized the Mexican Empire’s inequality and political repression. A likely spiciest!) tacos in the world, based on independence in 1821. fraud that led to his fifth re-election finally centuries ofrich culinary tradition. At the Two years later, an internal revolt sparked the Mexican revolution in 1910, a same time, in Juárez, a woman working at a established the United Mexican States along war that killed roughly 900,000 people and factory goes on her lunch break. the lines ofa Republican Constitution, but ended with the establishment ofthe 1917 Simultaneously, in Chiapas, an indigenous the following decades were marked by severe Constitution, the same that governs Mexico farmer harvests some ofthe world’s best economic instability and constant internal today. coffee beans. But what unites these vastly political strife. When civil war finally broke Mexico was governed by revolutionary different people in their gigantic nation? out, three new governments declared heroes in subsequent years, but these were What lies behind this country that was once independence: the Republic ofTexas, the soon replaced with the creation ofthe one ofthe most developed ancient Republic ofthe Rio Grande, and the Republic Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), civilizations, and is now such a key figure in ofYucatán. which ruled Mexico for 71 years. This large contemporary Latin America? It was perhaps Mexico’s disunity and portion oftime in Mexico’s history saw many The flourishing Aztec Empire came to its instability that made it the weaker player in economic and social reforms, miraculous brutal end when Hernán Cortés ofSpain the 1846 Mexican-American War, which economic growth, but also later on faced conquered it in 1521 after only two years of caused it to lose more than halfofits land to severe social inequality and brutal crisis, battle. On their search for gold and other the U.S. Also, Mayan uprisings in 1847 culminating in the 1982 oil crisis and the riches, the Spanish unintentionally brought established relatively independent enclaves neoliberal reforms that linked the nation to with them an epidemic ofsmallpox that that lasted until the 1930s. The fragile nation the North American Free Trade Agreement wiped out more than halfofthe Aztec attempted to create unity under another (NAFTA), resulting in an opposition population, and left the remaining portion constitution in 1857, but the internal movement started by the Zapatistas that with a deepened respect for the Christian differences led to yet another war, which was continues today to fight against the injustices God, resulting in the widespread acceptance eventually won by the Liberals in 1861who ofneoliberalism and globalization. ofCatholicism and Spanish reign. The wanted a federal, secular state. France put In 2000, for the first time, the PRI lost a ensuing period ofcolonial rule was Mexico under military occupation in the presidential election against Vicente Fox responsible for much ofthe identity, culture 1860s, establishing the Second Mexican from the PAN, followed in 2006 by Felipe and architecture ofMexico today. Empire, ruled by Maximilian ofAustria. His Calderón, who only narrowly defeated the In 1810, however, Mexico was the first clergy, however, soon joined sides with the leftist candidate López Obrador, raising Latin American country to declare Liberals, forcing him to surrender and be speculations about electoral fraud once more. independence from Spain. A Mexican priest executed. Obrador contested, but lost the 2012 election named Miguel Hidalgo spoke out against From 1876 to 1911, Mexico was ruled to Enrique Peña Nieto, the candidate ofthe colonial government in the small town of almost the entire time by Porfiriato Díaz, Institutional Revolutionary Party and the Dolores due to the events ofthe Peninsular who invested a lot into the arts and sciences Green Ecologist Party ofMexico. War. Roughly a decade ofbloody battles and had many economic achievements, but Mexico has a history marked by

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 20 Country Profile Mexico exploitation, internal disputes, and countless governments that have manipulated electoral exciting time for Mexico: with the recent corrupt governments that kept replacing each processes and the media to put certain birth ofa powerful student movement against other since the nation’s independence. It is its candidates in a favourable light, and media manipulation, and the rising interest in current events, however, that will determine governments that have failed to combat one the alternative government pledged by López which path the country will follow in the ofthe worst and most violent drug cartel wars Obrador (following the leftist trend ofother future. With governments that have in recent ever seen, it is important that the Mexican Latin American countries), the country seems decades catered largely to U.S. interests and people do not remain silent. to be on the verge ofa great change. forgotten the needs oftheir people, Right now, however, is a very hopeful and

KEY INDICATORS

EDUCATION -Compulsory and free until secondary school -Adult literacy 93.4% -Roughly equal among men and women -Doesn’t cover the needs ofthe entire population, universities are overcapacitated

ROLE OF WOMEN -Violence and murder offemale factory workers in Ciudad Juárez without due justice -Very low employment ofwomen (41.3%, vs. 82.5% ofmen in 2004) -Misogynistic attitude towards women leads A religious procession in San Juan Chamula, to domestic violence Chiapas. Photo: Luis Gutierrez Arias

CHILDREN Capital: Mexico City Official language: Spanish, -In rural areas may suffer from malnutrition Population: 114,975,406 (July indigenous languages (Mayan, -Walk long distances to get to school 2012 est.) Nahuatl and other regional Area: 1,964,375 sq km languages) spoken by 6.5% of FREEDOM Geography: Shares borders with population -Abuses, kidnappings, and killings by drug the USA, Guatemala, and Belize, as Ethnic groups: Mestizo 60%, cartels are a serious threat to the population, with more than 60,000 deaths in 5 years well as with the GulfofMexico, Amerindian 30%, White 9%, Other -Security threat against journalists: at least 9 Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. 1% have been killed and scores ofothers have Climate varies from tropical to Religion: Roman Catholic 76.5%, been attacked and intimidated desert, and the terrain is mostly Protestant 5.2%, Jehovah's -Media manipulation and electoral fraud mountainous. Volcanoes and Witnesses 1.1%, other 0.3%, have severely inhibited legitimacy of government earthquakes pose destructive unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1% natural hazards to the center and Human Development Index: ECONOMY south ofthe country. 0.770; rank 57 out of187 -GDP growth: 3.8% (2011); GDP per capita: $15,100 (2011; one third ofper capita income in the US) -Income distribution highly unequal -Mixture ofmodern and outmoded industry and agriculture, increasingly dominated by the private sector -37.5% ofGDP goes to public debt -2-3% ofGDP made by migrant remittances

ENVIRONMENT -Mexico City: one ofthe most polluted cities in the world -Lack ofwaste disposal facilities -Severe water pollution -Deforestation -Rapid urbanization -Reliance on oil industry for national economy and extremely low investment in renewable energies

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 21 Series Tips from the field Tips from the Field - Positive youth development through sports

"Sports competition is one of the few traditions shared by every culture in every country on the globe.From cricket to soccer to table tennis, sports have captured the hearts of nations, world over,and if harnessed the right way can be used as an extremely powerful agent for change, especially in schools"

NOAH MARWIL GSDM Latin America

In 2000, with the announcement ofthe programming helps students to learn job and master challenges. When “healthy” second Millennium Development Goal skills, increase socialization, and/or re-enter opportunities to belong are not found in their (universal access to primary education), the the formal education system. In addition environments, youth will create their own world began to see a meteoric rise in providing coaches and mentors for children (often less healthy) alternatives (Roth, 2000; international educational development who do not receive this level ofsupport in the Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2000, 70). efforts. Organizations and government alike household can raise self-esteem and build Sports and play can promote physical furiously began building schools, training confidence. well-being, combat discrimination, build teachers and developing curriculum to meet The core ofeffective sports programming confidence, and a sense ofsecurity, as well as the UN’s ambitious challenge. As of2012, does not focus on sports training per se, but play an important role in the healing and there has been moderate success in achieving rather the application ofsport lessons to rehabilitation process for all children affected goal number two, and although 61 million personal skill development essential to by crisis, discrimination, and marginalization children worldwide still do not have access to employment training. In order to be a fair and (McCarthy, 2007). education, coverage is indeed growing. respected competitor, one needs to However, what many have not taken into understand, practice, and promote the core Who is doing this? consideration is that, although a child may values ofrespect, teamwork, leadership, A Ganar is a youth sports work-force have access to education, it does indicate that discipline, communication, confidence, self- development program run by Partners ofthe he or she is attending class or truly learning. esteem and continued self-improvement. Americas. Started in 2005, it currently There is much more to education than a These are not just life skills, but operates within 14 countries in the Caribbean classroom, a teacher and a few books, and the employability skills as well. and LatinAmerica and has trained over 4,000 world would be remiss to settle for such In addition, after school activities mitigate youth. They have seen great success over the superficial gains. For this reason, GSDM is gang violence through participation in past years, with roughly 70% ofprogram proud to present the first in a series oftips organized activities, as well as promote participants graduating from secondary from the field, showcasing effective physical well-being, combat discrimination, school, and 70% ofthose either finding techniques proven to improve worldwide and build a sense ofsecurity. Additionally, employment, returning to study or starting a education and affect deep, lasting change. sports can play an important role in the business within one year. They have also healing and rehabilitation process for all made gains in partnering with the private children affected by crisis, discrimination, sector organizations to increase funding and This quarter’s tip and marginalization. Sports competition is one ofthe few training other organizations to implement traditions shared by every culture in every their methodology. country on the globe. From cricket to soccer Evidence of Efficacy Soccer without Borders uses soccer as a to table tennis, sports have captured the Engagement in team sports has been vehicle for positive change, providing under- hearts ofnations, world over, and if associated with higher self-esteem and served youth a toolkit to overcome obstacles harnessed the right way can be used as an greater academic achievement and unrelated to growth, inclusion, and personal extremely powerful agent for change, to antisocial behavior. No moderation by success. They have grown greatly over the especially in schools. gender, race/ethnicity, or school context is past 6 years and have been successful in observed (Mahoney, 103). growing a major following. Adolescents need opportunities for Love Futbol, a Guatemala based NGO, Theory ofChange physical activity, development ofcompetence has focused their efforts on creating greater The goal ofscholastic sports programming is and achievement, self-definition, creative village cohesion by gaining buy in from to incentivize parents and children alike to expression, positive social interaction with communities to participate and contribute to participate in the formal education system peers and adults, a sense ofstructure and their soccer field construction projects. By and provide students with the life skills clear limits, and meaningful participation in using their projects as a community rallying necessary to become productive and civically authentic work (Quinn). point, they have been able to bring together responsible members ofsociety. Building Groups ofinterconnected members fractured communities that were once safe athletic facilities to run sports related encourage youth to take on responsibilities plagued with derision and competition.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 22 Analysis Latin America Taking the Pulse: Argentines frustrated with economy and government

SARAHFERST

Economy every day Buenos Aires. Not only does it The Argentine economy is crumbling right remain a popular topic ofnews and before everyone’s eyes, a fact most visible to conversation, but also the city is littered with any inhabitant or visitor to the country anti-British graffiti, imploring the Anglo through its skyrocketing prices. Last Month, occupiers to leave the contentious island. "The government is for instance, the Buenos Aires subte (subway) Some think that one ofthe political groups fare jumped from $1.10 pesos to $2.50 pesos, spearheading the graffiti campaign, controlling in everyday life, more than doubling in one shot (there are Quebracho, is being paid by the government about 4.5 pesos to the US dollar). Local to write these messages. Ofcourse, this enough so that a new law businesses were also affected. The cost of cannot be validated beyond hearsay and has recently been ratified to breakfast in one central hostel went up from conjecture. $60 to $75 pesos between February andApril Disdain for the British is as Argentine as restrict the amount of 2012, a rise of25%. Meanwhile, restaurants beefand yerba mate. Many Argentinian have not been able to continually reprint schools villainize the English in the retelling foreign books imported into menus to keep up with fluctuating prices and ofthe conflict, propagating a culture of the country" now hand-written new prices over whited out agoraphobic dislike for the isle-nation. It is old ones, an amateur touch over otherwise not an uncommon story for the English to professionally produced Cartas. There is become the subject ofridicule when traveling "All indicators seem to be simply no denying the country-wide increases through Argentina, and it is therefore ofeverything from basic food staples to recommended for Brits to hide their pointing towards the same luxury treats, yet the Argentine government is nationality when asked. adamant that there is next to no inflation. common thread; the According to The Economist, practically Big Brother no one believes the inflation figures economic and political Propaganda is visible practically everywhere announced by the Argentine government in Buenos Aires. Street photos ofPresident climate in Argentina is (about 10%). This is compounded by the fact Kirchner, known as Cristina, next to photos of that there are so many varying inflation rates Eva Peron, known as Evita, often compare becoming stormier with floating around in the news. A financial these two women in an angelic light. Evita services firm, known as State Street, for each rise in inflation and was known for helping the poor, and was example, announced a 24.4% inflation rate loved by her countrymen in an overwhelming restrictive political with the cumulative rate since 2007 as 137%, way. It seems as though Christina may be whereas the government claims a cumulative trying to project a similar image. legislation. The status quo rate ofonly 44% for the same time period Unfortunately, there still exists a strong anti- (The Economist). A more trustworthy Peronist sentiment among Argntines and in BuenosAires is not estimation comes from a survey ofvarious many worry that Christina is straying too far sources conducted by the Torcuato di Tella sustainable and, if left towards Evita’s proletarian sympathies. University in Buenos Aires that concluded The government is controlling in everyday unchecked, could mean a that the real inflation rate as ofFebruary 2012 life, enough so that a new law has recently is likely to be somewhere between 25% and been ratified to restrict the amount offoreign repeat of the 2001 crash" 30%. books imported into the country. For every foreign book imported, a book written by an Citizens on Government Argentine author must be exported. The The average Argentine is not pleased with the government claims not restricting freedom of economy and the government’s reaction to the speech, but rather protecting its citizens from global financial crisis. Many people are the over usage oflead ink in foreign print nervous and scared, remembering the shock materials, a thinly veiled attempt to hide its ofthe last economic crash in 2001. Given the protectionist activities. rough ten-year cycle ofpast economic All indicators seem to be pointing towards crashes, many feel as though another crash is the same common thread; the economic and right around the corner. political climate in Argentina is becoming In addition to ongoing financial strife, stormier with each rise in inflation and Argentines are also struggling with a number restrictive political legislation. The status quo ofpolitical issues, such as the war over the in Buenos Aires is not sustainable and, ifleft Malvinas (Falkland) islands in 1982. Two unchecked, could mean a repeat ofthe 2001 decades later, the conflict is still present in crash.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 23 Feature Climate Change

Unless climate change challenges are more fully and urgently addressed, current progress will be difficult to sustain,and the brunt of the impacts will be faced by the poor of Central Asia.

MEERIM SHAKIROVA GSDM Central Asia

The vastness ofCentral Asia is for trade. This intensive use, increased by spectacularly diverse. It is incredibly rich in numerous economic and sociopolitical issues, cultural heritage and natural resources with makes the region highly vulnerable to climate geographically breathtaking mountain passes, change. seemingly never-ending deserts and There are many political implications to grasslands, and glacier-fed river basins: the this as shortages are aggravating conflicts Amu Darya, the Syr Darya and the Indus. over transboundary water and energy "The region has lower However, this largely arid and semiarid resources. Moreover, many countries in Central Asia depend on glacial melt in the greenhouse gas (GHG) region is at serious risk from climate change impacts, which threatens ecosystems as well Tibetan Plateau for water flows for emissions than more as economies and infrastructure that depend hydropower. The Energy Sector Coordinating on natural resources, especially the region’s Committee Meeting at Almaty estimates the developed parts of the world, water supply. These changes could undermine capacity ofthe installed hydroelectric stations the hard-won gains ofrecent decades, making ofCentral Asia`s rivers to be 4.037 megawatts but this is changing because it more difficult to achieve the Millennium (MW) in Tajikistan; 2.910 MW in the Kyrgyz Republic; 2.248 MW in Kazahstan; and 1.420 of economic growth fueled Development Goals and improve the lives of many vulnerable communities. The region has MW in Uzbekistan (Saghit Ibatullin, 2009). by excessive oil, gas, and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than Now climate change is making these flows more developed parts ofthe world, but this is more unpredictable, thus threatening mineral reverses" changing because ofeconomic growth fueled downstream energy generation. At the same by excessive oil, gas, and mineral reverses. time, rising surface temperatures are also Central Asia is exposed to climate change leading to increases in energy consumption, mostly caused by greenhouse gases (GHG) for instance, through greater use ofair produced elsewhere. Its culturally diverse conditioning and increases in water pumping. population relies heavily on fragile land and In arid and semiarid Central Asia, arguably water resources, and pumps out the region`s the most vulnerable natural resource is water. river basins to the extreme for agriculture, for Glacier retreat and changing rainfall patterns energy sources, and for production ofgoods will alter water cycles, lessening the potential to generate hydropower and irrigate fields. Global South Development Magazine July 2012 24 Feature Climate Change

Moreover, as a result ofclimate change, rainfall and more frequent and more intense glaciers are retreating across Asia, but in the droughts, floods, heat waves, and other Himalayas they are receding faster than extreme weather events. Households, anywhere else in the world. According to the communities, and planners need to put in "In arid and semiarid Asian Development Bank, glacial melt will place initiatives that “reduce the vulnerability also make the weather more variable and ofnatural and human systems against actual Central Asia, arguably the extreme, affecting ecosystems, energy and expected climate change effects” (IPCC generation and agriculture. 2007). It is very important to achieve low- most vulnerable natural Furthermore, climate change has carbon growth in the region and become more significant implications for food production. resilient to climate change extremes and resource is water.Glacier As temperature rises in the arid and semiarid variability. Without adaptation and mitigation retreat and changing areas ofthe region, rainfall is expected to modalitites, development progress in Central decline and become increasingly erratic, and, Asia will be threatened, perhaps even rainfall patterns will alter as already mentioned, water resources are reversed. likely to dry up. As the climate becomes ever Unless climate change challenges are more water cycles, lessening the more variable and extreme, the region will fully and urgently addressed, current progress potential to generate become increasingly dessertified. will be difficult to sustain, and the brunt of Even with global emissions ofgreenhouse the impacts will be faced by the poor of hydropower and irrigate gases (GHG) drastically reduced in the Central Asia. coming years, the global annual average Photos by NURJAMAL IRSALIEVA fields" temperature is expected to be 2C. This warmer world will experience more intense

Alternative Energy

Mongolian Family Uses Solar Energy to Power Home A family in Tarialan, Uvs Province, Mongolia, uses a solar panel to generate power for their ger, a traditional Mongolian tent. Photo:Eskinder Debebe/UN

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 25 Report South Asia Yet another form of child abuse

SANDEEP SRIVASTAVA GSDM Special Correspondent

Birth, marriage and death are three most Usually, children subjected to marriage are important events in many people's lives. not consulted for their decision and nor do When birth and death are considered more or they know about the serious implications of less choiceless, marriage, however, is marriage. Child marriage affecs different parts still today an considered a matter ofchoice. ofthe world differently and it has different Though it is considered as a moment of causes and tradition attached in different parts celebration and a milepost in one’s life, when ofthe world. estimated 10 million it is in the form ofchild marriage, it does not In SouthAsia, ifa girl child is subjected to give real meaning for celebration. Child marriage at or soon after puberty, that is girls are married every marriage is one ofthe problems that cripples considered a child marriage. In many cases, social development in the developing world spouses are older, sometimes even twice their year before they and still today an estimated 10 million girls age. are married every year before they reach 18 or Whether a girl or boy is subjected to such a reach 18 or before before they become adult. marriage, there is no doubt that it is obviously A child marriage, by popular definition, is violation ofhuman rights and basic child they become adult imposition ofa marriage partner upon a child, rights. In the Universal Declaration ofHuman and while doing so, fundamental rights ofthe Rights (1948), the right to full & free consent child is curtailed or severely compromised. to marriage has been recognized. Consent

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 26 Report South Asia

cannot be consider as full or free until the developing world (excluding China) partner is immature and has critical were registered at birth for the period Child Marriages in physical, psychological, intellectual or 2000–2009. emotional impact. Curtailing education In SouthAsia Figures opportunity or personal growth does not Nearly halfofall girls (46%) marry before fall in full and free consent. the age of18 in South Asia, higher than any other region in the world. Global Scenario In some South Asian countries and regions, Across the globe, the average age of however, the rates are much higher. An estimated 10 million girls marriage is rising but the progress is slow. Though the average age at first marriage is are married every year before There are still very high rates ofchild gradually increasing in South Asia, the rate marriage in some sub-populations, such as ofprogress is slow. Social norms around they reach 18 years. in the Surkhet district ofNepal, where old gender and marriage, cultural traditions traditions, customs, and moral codes are like the dowry, customary law condoning still in place. It appears that community the practice, and a lack ofaccess to 1 in 3 girls in the developing level factors are influencing child educational opportunities are all factors world is estimated to be marriages. Child which influence marriages are also fuelled the rates ofchild married before the age of 18 by poverty, concerns marriage across years. about security and the region. protection ofgirls, lack More than ofeducation or distance halfthe world’s 1 in 7 girls is married before to schooling facilities, adolescents live gender discrimination, in either South her 15th birthday and some cultural traditions, and Asia or the East child brides are as young as religious traditions. Asia and Pacific eight or nine. National level factors region and child that influence child marriage rates in marriage rates include: South Asia have Girls from poor families are the country’s birth been closely registration system linked with early nearly twice as likely to marry (which provides proofof pregnancies and before 18 as girls from age for girls); lack ofan adequate reproductive health implications. legislative framework that can be enforced In the last 20 years, infant/child wealthier families. to address cases ofchild marriages; and mortality rates have fallen significantly in whether customary or religious laws SouthAsia but are still higher than the condone the practice. global average. South Asia has the highest Child marriage occurs around Child marriage is generally more percentage ofinfants with low birth weight the world; 46% of girls under prevalent in jurisdictions that offer fewer and underweight under- 5 year olds in the 18 are married in South Asia; protections for women and girls. While world, sometimes almost twice the global most countries legislate for a minimum average (data 2005-2009). 38% in sub-Saharan Africa; legal age for marriage, this is often not Child marriage often means that girls 21% in Latin America and the enforced. Some countries continue to have are not able to attend school. The regional legal age for marriage lower than in the net attendance ratio for girls is 80% at Caribbean; 18% in the Middle UN Convention on the Rights ofthe Child. primary school and 47% at secondary East and North Africaiii; and in The legal age for marriage is also higher schools. Education is difficult to access in for men than women in many countries. countries across the region (rates ofgirls some communities in Europe The rates ofnational birth registration are attendance in school in Afghanistan, for and North America too. still low – just 51 per cent ofchildren in example, are especially low). The Early Marriage in International Human Rights Conventions & Declarations Number ofhuman rights conventions & Convention on the Abolition ofSlavery, the this Convention). No marriage shall be declaration has been made in past which Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices legally entered into by any person under this covered issues ofage, consent, equality Similar to Slavery includes in the institutions age, except where a competent authority has within marriage, and the personal and and practices similar to slavery: granted a dispensation as to age, for serious property rights ofwomen. Few are as Article 1(c) Any institution or practice reasons, in the interests ofthe intending follows: whereby: (i) A woman, without the right to spouses. Article 16 ofthe 1948 Universal refuse, is promised or given in marriage on (3) All marriages shall be registered y the Declaration ofHuman Rights (UDHR) states: payment ofa consideration in money or in competent authority. (1) Men and women offull age … have the kind to her parents, guardian, family … Article 16.1 ofthe 1979 Convention on right to marry and found a family. They are Articles 1, 2, and 3 ofthe 1964 the Elimination ofAll Forms of entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during Convention on Consent to Marriage, Discrimination against Women prescribes marriage and at its dissolution. Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration equally for men and women: (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with ofMarriages state: (a) The same right to enter into marriage. the free and full consent ofthe intending (1) No marriage shall be legally entered into (b) The same right freely to choose a spouse parties. without the full and free consent ofboth and to enter into marriage only with their free Similar provisions were included in the parties, such consent to be expressed by them and full consent. 1966 International Covenant on Economic, in personas prescribed by law. Article 16.2 states: The betrothal and the Social and Cultural Rights and the 1966 (2) States Parties to the present Convention marriage ofa child shall have no legal effect, International Covenant on Civil and Political shall specify a minimum age for marriage and all necessary action, including Rights. (“not less than 15 years” according to the legislation, shall be taken to specify a Article 1 ofthe 1956 Supplementary nonbinding recommendation accompanying minimum age for marriage. Global South Development Magazine July 2012 27 Report South Asia

minimum legal age for marriage for girls in Nepal, and Bangladesh). While all countries the region varies with age 16 (Pakistan) to 20 in the SouthAsia region are State Parties to Prema's story (Nepal). In some countries (Pakistan, India, the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child Prema is a 16 year-old girl from a rural Afghanistan, Bangladesh) the legal age for and the Convention on the Elimination ofAll community in Bihar who wants to delay marriage is lower for girls than for boys. Forms ofDiscrimination against Women, her marriage because she believes that her While all countries have legislation implementation is varied. Only Bangladesh young body is not ready to bear children. providing for a marriageable age, has acceded to the Convention on Consent to “Our bodies, our internal organs are implementation in practice is a struggle, due Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and tender,” she says. “Ifyou put water in an to factors such as ignorance ofthe law Registration ofMarriages 1962. There are unfired pitcher it will break.” Prema (including among law enforcement officials), increasing numbers ofchild marriage doesn’t believe she is mature enough to the absence or lack ofimplementation of programmes in South Asia, which address have a baby and wonders how she can marriage registration requirements, gaps in child marriage through legal reform efforts, possibly take care ofin-laws too ifshe the country’s birth registration system, and educational programmes, cash incentive marries before 18. inadequate punishment for breaking the law schemes, skills enhancement programmes Prema knows many girls who were (or low rates ofprosecutions even where and opportunities, among others. married young. She describes their life as there are legal penalties, such as in India, 'hell'. She recounts the story ofone friend who was married at just 12 years-old. She "Child marriages are also fuelled by poverty, concerns about security and knows that her friend is unhappy; she has protection of girls,lack of education or distance to schooling facilities, gender become angry and aggressive towards friends and her relatives. discrimination, cultural traditions, and religious traditions" Prema participates in a local community programme run by Pathfinder International that empowers young people – both boys and girls – to mobilise and take the lead in efforts to stop child marriage. Prema says that it is the responsibility ofher and fellow young people to stop child marriage, as well as parents. She believes that ifyoung people spread the message among each other about the harm that child marriage can cause, they will never marry their children young: “We must first educate our generation so that we can lead the next generation.” She claims the local authorities do little to stop child marriage – “but they should”, she concludes. *To protect Prema’s identity her name has been changed for the purposes ofthis story. Media coverage such as this one in India has helped raise awareness and reduce child marriage incidents

Girls Not Bride was Launched in together to promote peace and human rights. Asia. Participants from Afghanistan, September 2011 in NewYork, and is a Chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri global partnership ofover 70 organisations group includes the Finnish Nobel Peace Lanka came together to share experiences, working to end child marriage at the Laureate Martti Ahtisaari, former UN ideas and information, and to discuss the grassroots, national and global levels. Secretery General Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, potential for working together to end child Members ofGirls Not Brides have joined Lakhdar marriage in the together to accelerate efforts to prevent child Brahimi, Gro region. marriages and to support girls who are or Brundtland, Child marriage have been married. Fernando affects nearly half Girls Not Brides aims to maximise the Henrique ofall girls (46 per collective impact ofits members across the Cardoso, cent) in South world by supporting them to learn from each Jimmy Carter, Asia. The other’s experiences and successes; to raise Graça Machel participants, awareness ofthe harmful impact ofchild and Mary including marriage through encouraging open and Robinson. programme informed discussion at the local, national and The first implementers, international levels; and to mobilise policy, regional experts and financial and other support to end child meeting of advocates, shared marriage. Girls Not the beliefthat The organization was initiated by The Brides was held in New Delhi from 9 to 10 child marriage can and should be ended in Elders as part oftheir effort to foster gender February 2012. It brought together 70 SouthAsia. They brought a wealth of equality worldwide. Brought together by women and men from a range ofgrassroots, expertise and experience, some participating Nelson Mandela, The Elders is a group of national and international organisations organisations had been working to end child independent global leaders who work working to end child marriage across South marriage for over 20 years.

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 28 Development In the News How many more fish Drink your milk: waste is 53 arrested in Sri in the sea? equal to gas emissions from 20,000 cars Lanka in anti- mosquito searches

COLOMBO: Police arrested 53 people for failing to eliminate stagnant water and other mosquito breeding grounds as Sri Lanka tries to prevent dengue fever, which has infected thousands already Waste milk creates a carbon footprint this year. equivalent to thousands ofcar Police, army and health officers searched 11,500 houses in the capital Photo:Giles Revell exhausts, according to a study that highlights the environmental costs of Colombo over seven hours, police Seafood is the primary source ofprotein inefficient farming and the aggressive spokesman Ajith Rohana said. Those for more than one billion people - can marketing ofsupermarket food. arrested for not cleaning up their they live without it? Scientists have calculated that the surrounding environment face fines and Worldwide, 90 per cent oflarge 360,000 tonnes ofwaste milk that is up to six months in jail. predatory fish stocks are now gone due to poured down British drains each year He said this is the first time police overfishing. creates greenhouse gases equivalent to made such a large number ofarrests The UN Food andAgriculture 100,000 tonnes ofcarbon dioxide, from Colombo for failing to clean Organization (FAO) estimates that 85 per which is about the same as that mosquito breeding places. cent offish stocks are "overexploited, emitted in a year by 20,000 cars. Dengue fever has killed 74 people depleted, or recovering from depletion". Figures show that 99 per cent of this year and infected 15,000. Health Speaking on the occasion of milk that is thrown away by British officials say it has increased because International World Biodiversity Day on consumers is designated as "avoidable residents have become more careless May 22, UN chiefBan Ki-Moon warned waste". Almost halfofthis waste is a about cleaning their properties and that over-consumption and rampant result oftoo much being served, with eliminating mosquito breeding grounds. pollution was threatening the world's the rest discarded for being sour or oceans and marine biodiversity. past its sell-by date. "Commercial over-exploitation ofthe The scientists also found that ifthe world's fish stocks is severe," he said. developed world cut its poultry "Many species have been hunted to consumption to Japanese levels – fractions oftheir original populations. about halfofthose in the West – the More than halfofglobal fisheries are cut in global greenhouse gas emissions exhausted, and a further third are would be equivalent to taking about depleted." 10 million cars offthe road permanently. community can pool their expertise to create m- Mobile phone boom in developing world learning services that improve teaching and learning, and therefore promote long-term could boost e-learning development. "It's a big step in the right direction in terms of putting the possibilities in front ofthe GSMA's galvanising influence ofsocial media on the Arab members and raising awareness ofthe commercial spring – has described the internet as "the Che and business opportunities education represents in Guevara ofthe 21st century". the developing world," says John Traxler, Ifthe global spread oftechnology can do all professor ofm-learning at the University of this, what else might it achieve? Quite a lot, Wolverhampton in the UK. "Clearly it's a small according to the authors ofa report prepared by sample, covering only four countries, so it's the GSMA mobile industry body and published to indicative rather than representative. But ifthe coincide with last week's eLearning Africa networks get the message, it's a valuable piece of conference in Cotonou, Benin. work. Networks don't need to hear it's virtuous, Shaping the future – realising the potential of they need to hear it's profitable – just enough to informal learning through mobile, explores mobile encourage them to get out there and do technology's potential to improve access to something." education for young people in developing Mobile phones are increasingly ubiquitous in In Kenya, mobile phones have become an integral countries. The study looks at Ghana, Morocco, poor countries, which now account for four in part ofcash transfer schemes, enabling poor Uganda and Maharashtra, in India, identifying every five connections worldwide. As Elsie Kanza, people in urban areas to buy food. In remote rural young people's aspirations and priorities, ofthe World Economic Forum, recently said: areas ofPeru, computers provided by the Euro- exploring the education and employment "Regardless ofsocial class, almost everyone [in Solar programme are fuelling an appetite for challenges they face, and scrutinising their mobile Africa] has a mobile phone, or two or three. Even learning among children. And the senior US phone use.The endgame is to establish how the in remote villages, mobile phones have replaced political adviserAlec Ross – acknowledging the mobile industry and international development the bicycle or radio as prized assets."

Global South Development Magazine July 2012 29 Final Remarks From the Editor

MANOJBHUSAL GSDM, Editor-in-Chief

It hasn't yet been 2 years since the world elected bodies in the post- for the first time saw the magical protests in revolutionary Arab states. the Arab world where hundreds ofthousands The Tunisian Islamist party, ofwomen, along with their male Ennahda, which won 89 seats counterparts, took to the streets and chanted in the 217 seat assembly, slogans for freedom and democracy. called for the Shariah law to be recognized Women's activism in the Arab world is not a as the principle source oflegislation. The new phenomenon. For instance, in 1919, a Islamist Muslim Brotherhood won number ofveiled women in Egypt took to presidential and parliamentary elections in the streets against British rule, demanding Egypt and the 28% ofseats went to the more independence. However, the peculiarity of extreme Salafi parties. After their victory, the latest movement was that the global some media reports claim, women in more media was constantly present when the rural areas ofEgypt were punished for the women, once again, shunned conservative way they dress and talk. norms and veils ofsuperstition and camped Women rights activists in Egypt fear that in Tahrir Square, protested in Sana'a and the status ofwomen is going to deteriorate hoisted their fists in the streets ofTunis. than before. ' I was shocked the We saw that almost on real times on our fundamentalists took over and I didn't TV screens and social networking sites. We foresee a male gender constitution. That's saw the revolutions taking place out there. not what I went to Tahrir Square for,' an We saw the dictators being toppled and Egyptian activist writes on an internet killed and exiled. We praised the brevity and forum. the courage ofthe revolutionaries. We Some argue that the Arab Spring was for assumed the dark days ofthe Arab World democracy and political freedom, not were over. We assumed there is nothing but specifically for women's rights, and political freedom and equality and democracy for all, democracy is not enough to abolish social for men and women, for the rich and the conservatism and patriarchy. So they believe poor, equally, absolutely. another revolution is needed in order to We extended our moral support and strengthen women's rights in the Arab sympathy. Some revolutionary leaders World. instantly became global celebrities, one of The revolutions seem to be hijacked by them, Tawakel Karman, the Yemeni activist, the fundamentalists, but there are people even received the Nobel Peace Prize. who still see room for optimism. Though When the heydays ofthe revolutions political rights have been compromised, have subdued, that promising, bright and legal rights have advanced and dictators mesmerizing picture ofthe Arab world has have been overthrown. Some court verdicts started to fade. Recent media reports claim have been encouraging, and the level of that, in Egypt, women have been repeatedly awareness among women seems to have harassed in political rallies and, reportedly, unprecedentedly heightened. But then again, have been asked by men to 'go back to their the rise ofthe fundamentalists has been kitchen and feed their babies' as the unprecedented and scary too. revolution was over and everyday politics The way doesn't look very smooth, but isn't women's affairs. Women's one thing is sure: the desire for freedom is representation was zero on the committee abundant, so abundant that soon in the future that drafted Egypt's transitional we might see another series ofrevolutions constitutional declaration. sweeping throughout the Arab world, once Contrary to popular expectations outside again led by women, but this time for the Arab World, the Islamist fundamentalist women.(Editor can be reached at and semi-fundamentalists dominate the [email protected]) Global South Development Magazine April 2012 30 Read it Anywhere.

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