This blog post tells the story of Purity, a 13-year-old girl from northern Kenya, who wants to help girls and their parents in her community better understand the harmful repercussions of female genital mutilation and child marriage, and why girls should instead be enrolled in school. Read More
Blog
We Need to Change the Mindsets Around the Uncut Girl, Nigeria
This blog post discusses a special radio program in Nigeria that highlighted the need to communicate that, “an uncut girl is a healthy girl and is able to be a part of society without bearing the everlasting effects and pains of FGM [(female genital mutilation)].” The radio segment featured questions from local citizens on issues related to FGM and comments from guest speakers, including a midwife and a human rights lawyer. Read More
Spotlight on Couple-Focused Interventions in Family Planning Programs
This article discusses how couple-focused interventions provide an opportunity for gender-transformative programming. “If you focus on the couple and aim to change something in their relationship—like their quality of communication around family planning—you will likely get a better outcome,” states Eric Ramirez-Ferrero, technical director of Evidence to Action Project. Read More
Breaking Down Employment Barriers in Zambia: Increasing Opportunities for Female Community Scouts
In Zambia, Game Management Areas are patrolled by joint teams of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) Wildlife Officers and Community Scouts sourced from local communities. Men disproportionately hold these Community Scout jobs due to gender biases and stereotypes. USAID is working with the DNPW, conservation NGOs, community resource management groups, and the private sector to increase gender equality and create a pipeline of...Read More
The Voice of Leadership: Women in Wildlife in Zambia
USAID and local partners have recently tested a pilot to use elections for Community Resource Boards in Zambia as an entry point to increase women’s participation in local natural resource management. In celebration of International Women’s Day, this blog post shares the voices of some women who stood up to challenge gender norms and of local champions who supported women’s leadership in wildlife community governance.Read More
Our Year to Roar
The events of 2020 were especially hard on women and girls, leading to increased rates of gender-based violence, child marriage, and teen pregnancy. This blog explores the possibility of 2021 creating a window of opportunity for women to renegotiate their rights. According to the author, two things can make a fundamental difference in the lives of women and girls everywhere: an education and the ability...Read More
