Africa | Burundi | Crimes

Merck Wants To ‘Empower’ Infertile Women In Africa. Can Music Videos Help?

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In June, an unusual email arrived in the inbox of an NPR global health correspondent. The headline was: "Merck Foundation together with First Lady of Burundi release 'Plus Qu'une Mere' an empowering French Song as courtesy to all infertile women in Burundi and Africa." The email had a link to a video of a performance with an all-female choir. Wearing traditional African clothing printed with the Merck Foundation's logo, they sing a song with lyrics that encourage people not to blame women for infertility. They're performing before an audience of maybe a hundred people, most of them in
South Asia | Sri Lanka | Corruption

Sri Lanka women cricketers ‘forced into sexual favours’

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Members of Sri Lanka's women's cricket team were forced to perform sexual favours to keep their places in the team, the sports ministry has said. The ministry said evidence of sexual harassment was uncovered in an investigation begun last year. It was launched following reports a player had been dropped for refusing to have sex with cricketing officials. Disciplinary procedures would now be initiated, the ministry said, without naming the individuals involved. "It is a shameful incident," Sri Lankan Children's Minister Rosy Senanayake told the AFP news agency. It is not clear what
Africa | Kenya | Crimes

Kenya: Women MPs Wants DPP to Probe Sexual Harassment in Parliament

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More than 50 women parliamentarians on Wednesday urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate claims of sexual harassment against women. In a media briefing, the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association noted increased cases of sexual assault. Mbita MP Millie Odhiambo said that KEWOPA will use the legal machinery to force the government into action. Kibwezi East MP Jessica Mbalu urged the government to protect the women by ensuring that the Sexual Offences Act is implemented fully.