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Pakistan’s labor quandary: comprehensive reforms and human rights protection needed

Labor Day is celebrated on May 1st and commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago, United States of America, where many workers lost their lives fighting for eight-hour workdays. In response to this historical event, Pakistan has adopted this day as a public holiday. Every year, newspapers across the country display a picture of a laborer carrying bricks in the scorching heat, a kiln worker with a miserable expression, a security guard on the brink of exhaustion, or a sanitary worker staring at the camera lens with lifeless eyes. However, although it is a widely recognized holiday, most daily-wage laborers [...]

2023-12-18T16:33:24+00:0012th December 2023|

Empowering Global Youth: A Path to Inclusive Democracy

By Kibo Ngowi Amidst the challenges faced by democracies worldwide, a beacon of hope is emerging as young people take charge of their futures. Youth across the globe are stepping up to redefine their roles in shaping governance. And the call for increased youth participation resonates strongly in the global south.  Despite a lower-than-desired voter turnout in the Nigerian elections earlier this year, the resilience of the 'Not Too Young To Run' movement demonstrated the transformative power of youth cohesion as several young candidates who benefitted from the campaign took office for the first time. Pakistan, with its youthful population, [...]

2023-12-07T10:05:42+00:007th December 2023|

Youth-Led Initiatives and the Future of Democracy: A Conversation with McDonald Lewanika

Governments and institutions have a crucial role in supporting and empowering young people in their efforts to promote democratic change and innovation. International Democracy Day Brussels is an annual event that gathers organizations and experts to celebrate democracy and discuss its challenges. The theme for this year is ‘Empowering the next generation,’ focusing on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring their voices are included in decisions that profoundly impact their world. In this year's event, McDonald Lewanika, the Regional Director for East and Southern Africa at Accountability Lab, shared his insights on youth-led initiatives, the state of [...]

2023-12-18T16:05:55+00:0020th November 2023|

CSO tasks NOA DG on national gender policy implementation

A Civil Society Organisation, Accountability Lab Nigeria, dedicated to promoting gender equality and women empowerment, has called for concerted efforts with the newly-appointed Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on gender equality in workspace and every other human endeavor to afford women a levelled playing field. Accountability Lab made this call during a crucial meeting with the newly-appointed Director General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, and its Programs and Learning Manager, Ehi Idakwo. At the meeting, the CSO harped on the critical importance of NOA’s commitment to implementing the National Gender Policy in [...]

2023-11-07T10:38:49+00:007th November 2023|

Mali’s Youth Take the Lead on Inclusive Education Advocacy

By Zeinabou Walet Mohamed Ali In Mali, critical issues such as insecurity and climate change are hampering the successful implementation of educational strategies. Socio-cultural constraints are leading to a depressingly low level of girls' education, as demonstrated by a 2018 UNESCO study which highlighted that only 37% of girls were enrolled in secondary school compared to 44% of boys. As a result, only a third of women are able to decipher a simple sentence, compared with 80% of men. I recently had the opportunity to participate in a consultative day with young leaders involved in educational issues in Mali aimed [...]

2023-10-10T10:16:28+00:009th October 2023|

Liberia’s complex path to lasting peace

Liberia, situated on West Africa's coast, claims the distinction of being Sub-Saharan Africa's oldest republic. Established in 1821 by freed American slaves through the American Colonization Society, it became independent in 1847. For 102 years, from 1878 to 1980, Liberia was governed by the True Whig Party, operating under a single-party system. Unfortunately, this era was defined by underdevelopment, widespread corruption, and the mismanagement of precious natural resources. A significant turning point emerged on April 12, 1980, when the People's Redemption Council (PRC), descendants of the military, orchestrated a brutal coup that thrust Liberia into an internal maelstrom. Tribal tensions [...]

2023-08-18T12:41:07+00:0018th August 2023|

“Supporting Zimbabwe to get free and fair elections is not an event but a process”: The Role of the EU Election Observation Mission

The European Union deploys one of the largest observer missions to monitor the 2023 Zimbabwe elections. We spoke to Dr McDonald Lewanika, politics and development professional, about the importance of the verdict by EU election observers and what contributions European actors can make to assist Zimbabweans in getting the elections they want. By McDonald Lewanika and Katrin Seidel Earlier in the year, the European Union had sent 46 long-term observers and 11 political analysts to Zimbabwe. On Election Day over 150 observers from EU member states as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland will be monitoring the elections. This is [...]

2023-08-18T12:32:05+00:0018th August 2023|

Five reforms to strengthen World Bank engagement

The urgency for global climate action has prompted World Bank management to rethink the Bank's mission, vision, operations, and financing through the Evolution Roadmap. Following a public consultation that ended in July, the Bank has hosted regional consultations to inform stakeholders and gather their feedback. Despite the global scale of the climate crisis and the need to co-create solutions at the community level, the Evolution Roadmap, in its current form, does not identify citizen engagement and social accountability (CESA) as a significant pillar to deliver its ambitious goals. Much of the current focus has been on mobilizing finances to increase [...]

2023-08-21T10:31:01+00:0017th August 2023|

Ingredients for a meaningful and ethical career

Written by Dridhata Silwal Kalpana Adhikari is an Integrity Icon winner in Nepal whose remarkable journey from doubt to becoming a champion of integrity is a shining example of resilience, perseverance, and believing in oneself. Her story is not just a personal triumph but an inspiration for all who face challenges in pursuing a meaningful and ethical career. Kalpana's journey is a testament to the power of integrity, the importance of empathy, and the transformative potential of dedication to a higher purpose. Turning adversity into opportunity Kalpana's choice to enter the government sector was filled with doubt. She dreamed of [...]

2023-08-15T14:06:24+00:0015th August 2023|

Shaping the narrative: strategic communication as a catalyst for effective governance

By Enene Ejembi  People in positions of power need to improve how they communicate, and be more open, collaborative with their communities. Transparent and inclusive communication between the government and the public is essential for building trust, promoting accountability, and fostering a thriving democracy. Thus, strategic communication is a fundamental aspect of effective governance and leadership. When citizens have access to accurate and timely information, it helps build public trust. It's not just about disseminating information; it's about empowering citizens and enabling active participation in the democratic process. It provides material evidence for holding government officials accountable for their actions [...]

2023-08-24T16:50:09+00:0015th August 2023|
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