Efforts to Stop Gender-Based Violence!

                Violence comes in many different forms, sexual, physical, and emotional are the forms most often seen.  Zambia has been in recent news for having a significant amount of cases reported.  According to this article I read, “52 per cent of women aged between 15 and 49 reported that they had experienced either physical or sexual violence.”  I was shocked by this number; I would have never thought that half of the women population was a victim of abuse.  It makes many wonder why that many?  Is their cultural values that much different?

                While gender based violence has reached some of the highest numbers in Zambia history, women of the communities in Zambia felt it was time to start fighting back through awareness.  Violence is a punishable crime in Zambia, but only 22 per cent of the reported acts of violence are prosecuted!  Therefore, it is time that the women of this nation start to unite together and speak out. 

                This year the women of this country took part in a 16 day activism to stop all types of violence.  The women also celebrated International Day of Elimination of Violence.  All of these prevention ceremonies started in late November and are continuing through the first part of December.  The women of the nation are not the only ones speaking out about the violence; they have now have support from the United Nations and other government foundations.  Violence is not just a crime, but it also costs the governments much money through medical bills when these women enter emergency rooms with serious damaging effects of violence.

                This was one article that really shocked me with statistics, but at the same time I was really impressed to see the women of this nation taking action and doing something about it.  These women are role models and I am sure that with the cultural differences it is harder to speak out in this nation.  That is why what these women are doing currently could be life changing to other women.  There is no need for abuse, and the women of Zambia are helping to give victims a future. 

                I really hope their efforts to put a stop to these damaging statistics are a success.  I also hope that they encourage other nations in Africa to do the same sort activism.  I am sure Zambia is not the only country with that many cases of violence, and therefore, they need to spread their knowledge and help to other countries.  I am sure they could inspire many women in the United States to get help as well if they could just hear their stories and tell them where they could get help.

Here is a picture of a march during these 16 days

This is one of the campaign t-shirts worn during this time



Possible Solution to Hunger!

                It is not a secret that majority of the people in Africa are suffering from starvation and the continent as a whole needs some answers to this hunger issue.  In this article, the author points out that Calestous Juma, a Harvard professor, has a solution to this mind boggling problem.  Apparently, the solution involves better equipment for agriculture areas, better accessibility to farms, and the use of genetic modification in crop production.  The African officials have been concentrating on the issue, and are going to advance to help the starving nation be nourished. 

                With all the negative media published about Africa, this news is good news.  The solution seems simple, but all the details for modernizing farms can become complex very fast.  The United States and other countries have been using genetic modification in crop production for quite some time now, and now many farmers have yields per acre that are unheard of in history.  If the right tools and practices are provided to Africa maybe over time this hunger issue may begin to resolve itself.  I know it is a long stretch, but maybe with help from other nations this plan could be a success.

                The article points out that so much of this problem lie in the hands of leaders of Africa and other nations.  This appears to be very true.  It takes leaders to pass bills to build roads to farms, and it takes leaders to approve grants and bills to get farming equipment.  There are actually many farmers who live in Africa, but the right tools are not available to them to mass produce for the whole continent.  In fact, Juma believes things will stay the same until the president of Africa addresses the problem and looks into taking some action. 

Many people see the pictures plastered all over television of the starving children in Africa that need food or they will die.  I think if many nations stood together and provided Africa with tractors, plows, education on farming and the necessary seeds to produce a good crop that we could finally develop a productive plan to help.  Giving money to the country is wonderful in all, but I think what they really need is a plan of action with supplies.

 

This is a picture of some of the crops Juma suggested Africa to grow

This crop is millet, and it is believed that it would grow great in some areas of Africa.

This is a picture of sorghum.  It is actually a popular crop in some areas of the world and may just work in Africa too!

Yams are another crop that is actually grown in some areas of Africa now, but there is possibilities of mass production of this crop.



Homosexuality a Crime?

            Homosexual’s rights are an issue that many parts of the World are addressing currently.  It is an important issue when it comes to politics and society in general.  In relation to the rest of the World it seems as if America is becoming more and more accepting and accommodating to the gay public.  However, this is the complete opposite in Kenya according to this article.  The Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, made it very clear to the public of Kenya that the constitution in the country does not support the gay community.  According to the article he also, “warned that men or women found engaging in homosexual acts would be arrested.”  Wow!  Some seem to think that the United States is very unaccommodating to the gay community, but compared to Kenya the United States seems to be more accepting.

This is a picture of Raila Odinga

            It is hard to imagine people getting arrested for homosexual activity.  Honestly, I am sure there are a many other problems that the country faces; maybe attention should be focused elsewhere.  It seems like Kenya is moving backwards when every other country in the World is moving forward with this issue.  According to the article, homosexual activity has been illegal for a long time, but until now the gay community was more just left alone.  It is questioning why now the prime minister decided to actively punish homosexuals when the problem has gone unpunished for so long. 

            In America the citizens may forget how fortunate and lucky they really are to have rights.  Even though homosexual attitudes are also split in the United States, those that are homosexual are able to live as they please, and in some states it is legal to marry now.  In Kenya those who chose to arrange a homosexual wedding would be thrown in jail!  It seems very extreme that being gay is a punishable crime.

In America this is a very popular saying in the homosexual community...

          It must be difficult to be a “different” citizen in Kenya

and other countries similar to Kenya.  When a popular leader

like Raila Odinga openly bans and condones homosexuals, it

seems like he would almost brainwash other citizens in the

county that this way of life is a horrible crime.    

Terrorism Sweeps Kenya

Terrorism is sweeping the nation.  It almost seems inevitable that terrorism is in every country at some point.  More and more cases are reported and it seems that this violent world that we live in is not getting better at this point.  The idea of peaceful settlements has left the minds of many and now this cruel world of violence has entered.  We have seen in it in the United States recently and in Africa there have been an outrageous number of terrorist actions within the nation.  Countries within Africa are having conflicts with neighboring countries.

                In this article I read, the author pointed out that there has been some terrorist activity in Kenya.  In fact, a member of Kenya’s police force was killed in terrorist action.  However, they are still investigating the chances of it being an act of terrorism, but based on evidence they have collected now they have come to the conclusion that was the motive behind the police officer’s death.

                The article points out that an onlooker say men in a ditch at the time of the crime, and those suspects are believed to be the terrorist.  After research the investigators found that a grenade was the cause of death to the police officer; it was thrown into his moving vehicle.  Therefore, it is believed that the suspects threw the grenade from the ditch.  The murder took place in Estleigh, Kenya, and authorities believe that the murders were Somalia immigrants that have been fleeing frequently into Kenya for economic reasons.

                Terrorist action is something that is a serious ordeal that can be prevented.  It seems silly to wish World peace in today’s society, because looking around at the corrupt society it is hard to imagine a world without violence or terrorist activity.  Africa needs relief and some support within the continent so that terrorist actions can be reduced. 

The following is the location of the crime

Narobi, the stared city, was near the city of the murder

Water Shortage Devastates

Weather change has more of an effect on a nation’s well-being than most may think.  In this article the public becomes aware that Africa is currently facing water shortage issues, and it has the potential to devastate the nation in the long run.  It appears that the people in Africa will be most affected, and it may cause many deaths.  According to the article children and women will be most affected by the water shortage, and it could devastate more than two million people. 

                The article lists many different effects water shortage will have on the public.  Apparently, this water shortage is going to cause almost a chain reaction.  Food production will decrease in the nations affected, and therefore those who need the nutrients will not be receiving them, because the water and food will not be available.  Disease will be more prevalent, and the article points out that it will be harder for those affected to bounce back without proper nutrition.

                It is disappointing to hear that especially this part of the world is having this damaging effect in their nation.  It is very obvious that the nation already has its own problems with other illness, nutrition, and living conditions.  This nation is already in need of aid for the people, but this water shortage is going to escalate the problem.  Africa already has too many people that are suffering with illness, and it appears that the problem will only get worse.

                It is becoming more and more important to help those that are in need of help and to educate the public about problems that are facing the nation.  It is time for people to raise awareness about this problem and work on getting more fresh water to the parts of Africa that need it the most. 

These pictures help illustrate the water shortage in Africa

Kenya's Starving Future

Lack of nutrients to youngsters in Kenya is now being seen as a health and economic problem.  Today’s children are tomorrow’s work force, and officials in Kenya are starting to see a future that is not looking so bright.  In this article, the author states that many children in Kenya are suffering from malnutrition.  The children lack important nutrients like iodine, iron, and vitamin A; deficiencies in these key nutrients are causing retardation, death, and stunted growth in many children.

It is heartbreaking to hear of children struggling to survive in this country, and even more devastating that situations in economics are not looking up because of the nutrition struggle.  Apparently, nutrition in infants is where a major problem exists.  Mothers choose to bottle feed young children instead of breastfeeding, which is causing many issues for the little ones because the water that is being mixed with the formula is not boiled to the right temperature and is very toxic.  Therefore, children are consuming toxins at such a young age and they are being deprived of the nutrients that are in breast milk.

The article stresses that good nutrition to expecting mothers and young children are very important for developing a stronger nation in the future.  Kenya depends on the upcoming children to support them and compete with other nations, but it is going to be extremely difficult to depend on children when "Out of every 100 child deaths, 55 per cent have under nutrition as a contributing factor."  It is clear that nutrition needs to be a major concern, but Africa as a whole needs more aid to help in the nutrition process.

While the economy and nutrition of children are indirectly related there will come a day when Kenya will have major problems, maybe even more than the present day issues they are trying to overcome, if they do not make nutrition a top concern.  I think other countries also need to look at these struggling counties and try to make an effort to save lives and qualities of life for young children in Africa.  In America we are very lucky to have the amenities and luxuries that most do not have.  I think now more than ever donations and supporting children in Africa is so important for the future of economics.   

This is an excellent graph to show the importance of nutrition and how it is all interlinked





ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This is an example of the water supply Kenya has to make formula for the children.  Not healthy looking at all!

ehw.org

This is a link to a website showing examples of the malnutritioned children in Africa.

E-Wastes Dumped in Nigeria

In this article I read about a major problem that is reoccurring in modern day Africa.  I read the article, “Nigeria probes disappearance of 'toxic waste' ship”, and it is disappointing to hear that Nigeria and other parts of Africa are becoming dumping points for electronic waste.  Apparently a ship from the United Kingdom (UK) dumped off seven containers that officials believe contained electronic waste.  The electronic waste that the article talks about could be anything from computers and electronics of that sort or other toxic waste.

Here is a picture of Lagos, Nigeria ports

travel-images.com

Here is a picture of electornic wastes that are over polluting Nigeria

weblog.greenpeace.org

I begin to wonder why Nigeria?  It must be the thought of many people that dumping toxic waste in Africa is an easy way to avoid responsibility.  Not disposing of electronic waste is pollution, and it is ridiculous to hear that trusted, educated officials are sending ships to Nigeria to pollute the world and a different country.

The second question I begin to ponder is how did the ship leave the port after dumping the electronic waste?  After reading the article, it is clear that security is a continuing problem in the ports of Nigeria.  Employees working at the port have record of the ship arriving, but have not the slightest idea of how or when exactly the ship left.  Lack or security is most likely the major reason other countries are choosing Nigeria to dump off toxic materials.

It is important that they act sooner rather than later on developing a better security system and documentation system in the ports of Nigeria, because it is unfortunate to see in the news that 400,000 second hand computers end up in the ports of Lagos, Nigeria every month!  The people of Nigeria have the right to live a safer less toxic life, and this issue could raise many health concerns in the future.            

Here is a link a helpful, informative clip on e-waste.  It talks about e-waste in relation to the United States.

African Education Initiative: 600 million dollars enough?

Knowledge is the most important tool to have.  Knowledge is, in most cases, obtained through education systems.  I am passionate about having knowledge and learning more, and this is the primary reason I wanted to research some of the African education systems.  I went through many different websites, and it is clear that African people do not have the high caliber education resources to gain the knowledge that other people have access to in other parts of the world.  The most helpful site I visited was this one; the author really focused on Sub-Saharan Africa and their typical education systems there.

The African Education Initiative (AEI) is a program that has just recently awarded 600 million dollars to the Sub-Saharan area of Africa.  This is exciting to know, because with more education tools the students in Africa are finally able to receive the knowledge to compete with the rest of the world.  Apparently, this large sum of money is going to go to scholarships, clubs, textbooks, and other educational tools.  In fact, the site pointed out that “AEI also seeks to strengthen and extend development partnerships between the United States and Africa by actively engaging African leaders and educators, the international development community, and U.S. interest groups.”  This is huge for the development of education. 

AEI is working to also get Africans more literate on the wide spread HIV/AIDS disorder and the program is also working on getting parents involved in youngsters education.  Not only is this organization reaching out to adults, but they are also reaching out to youngsters who are living very unfortunate lives.  They are working to educate orphans, homeless, and those who have educational disabilities.  I think these ideas are a must have as well, but it seems very difficult to change so much so fast.  

600 million dollars seems like a huge sum of money to most people.  However, I still wonder is this enough money to save the education crisis over there?  There is so much work and advances to make with the education system, and once 600 million dollars is split between so many different areas of education and different countries I do not think enough money will be left to make a significant impact.  I think the overall idea of reaching out and giving money to these countries is an education need and must have, but I think reaching out for more support is needed.  

Sub-Saharan School Children

http://www.avert.org/aids-picture.php?photo_id=928

Sub-Saharan map where money is distributed

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sub-Saharan-Africa.png 

Sahara Desert: Hot, Dry, Unlivable!

I have been to one desert my entire life, which is why I decided to do some research on the Sahara Desert. To learn more information about this particular landmark, I went to this website. California Academy of Sciences did a wonderful job of giving some major facts and other interesting information about the Sarah Desert and the characteristics it possesses.

I had no idea that this desert was as large as it is. It is actually 3.5 million square miles and is almost as big as The United States of America. Imagine if America was all one humid, dry, sand area; I highly doubt that there would be a large population or people or animals. I have learned from the article that the people of Africa really have to work with the resources and land that they have in their continent. In Africa many of the different populations choose not to live in the Sahara Desert, but since it is such a large area many have to travel around or into it, and that is why they have oases (places in the desert where there are sources of water and areas for rest), but sometimes a traveler may encounter one only every few days of travel. Therefore, I would highly suggest taking a couple water bottles if you want to make this voyage.

The site also pointed out other key features of this remarkably grand desert. Living in Iowa, I thought 100 degrees was hot and unbearable; I strongly dislike the hot and humid days and choose air conditioning on those days in the summer. There are times that the Sahara Desert has reached temperatures around 136 degrees F; that seems like deadly temperatures without water! Not only is the Sarah hot, but it is also very dry. In fact, places in the desert only see up to three inches of water per year. In Iowa we can see that amount sometimes in a couple days!

Whenever I thought of the desert I always thought of old western movies where it was all flat ground with no cohabitants and many dust storms. In reference to the Sahara Desert, some of this is true, but the site I reviewed pointed out many distinct features that surprised me. Most of the Sarah is flat dusty planes, but this desert is also characterized by high rocky plateaus and sand dunes. I never would have thought that there were high elevations in the desert! This desert does see more wind than many areas of the world. This site actually pointed out the names they give wind in the Sahara. Haboob is wind that very wild and blows much sand. Khamsin is wind that lasts for sometimes 50 days between the months of March and May.

Sahara Desert: Map

http://elesciab7w2008.blogspot.com/

The Land

http://questionshaveanswers.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-does-sahara-constantly-change-shape.html

Oasis

http://www.naftali-hilger.com/naftali/pages_ir_en/stock_list/stock_list/stock_list.php?stock_int=libya

Ebola...Death strikes many!

Ebola

Going into a healthcare field, I find different viruses that are or have attacked different areas of the world interesting.   I once heard of a virus called Black Death in one of my health classes, but I was not able to learn much about it except that it originated from Africa.  Therefore, I thought it would be interesting to investigate this Black Death further.  When I was researching, I stumbled upon this site with an immense amount of information.

The site gave good information on the overall background of the virus and gave the possible causes and symptoms of the Black Death.  After reviewing the site I found out that the real name for Black Death is Ebola, and it is a virus that you would never wish upon anyone.  The mortality rate of those affected by Ebola is 88 percent, which is one of the most fatal viruses on the Earth!

Africa is the only place where Ebola has been spotted, and that is how everyone should want to keep it.  The virus can spread rapidly and is commonly spread by person- to- person contact.  I think it has appeared only in Africa because of the current and past living conditions.  Africa is a continent where supplies are harsh, health is declining, and resources are just not as readily available.  I think with the installment of universal precautions in their healthcare settings  would be very beneficial, but it is obviously unrealistic.   

There were many key points in the article that I found to be interesting.  For example, the site pointed out that it usually attacks and takes over the body in a time frame of 7 to 14 days, and it damages several different tissues while the person affected is still alive.  It is a stage 4 pathogen, which apparently ranks higher than AIDS, and there is no known cure and no vaccination to prevent Ebola from attacking.  The most recent cases of Ebola have been spotted in Congo, and while the virus can be isolated it apparently cannot be stopped, because the reservoir is still unknown!

Here is a map of Africa with the latest cases of Ebola in 2007 in Congo.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sciencenews.org/view/download/id/38794/name/NEW_EBOLA_OUTBREAK&imgrefurl=http://www.sciencenews.org/view/access/id/38794/title/NEW_EBOLA_OUTBREAK&usg=__k9fHimt_ac-agUpYFjs21Pp7L7w=&h=385&w=445&sz=41&hl=en&start=47&zoom=1&tbnid=plwIenDFpih5yM:&tbnh=162&tbnw=187&prev=/images%3Fq%3Debola%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1362%26bih%3D502%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C1549&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=411&vpy=113&dur=3572&hovh=209&hovw=241&tx=173&ty=190&ei=vsKWTO-xAYX_ngfm14jBCA&oei=icKWTKOmG8GengfOsISXBw&esq=2&page=5&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:47&biw=1362&bih=502

Here is a picture of the bacteria responsible for this deadly virus.

http://mrbarlow.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/ebola.jpg




Here is also a video I found about a recent outbreak. 


http://uk.reuters.com/news/video?videoChannel=2603&videoId=66368