Press Release: Official YOWLI 2010 Logo & Slogan

The African Women's Millennium Initiative (AWOMI) is pleased to share the official YOWLI 2010 Slogan and Logo, and the theme for the YOWLI International Conference on Wednesday December 29, 2010 in Dakar, Senegal.

YOWLI 2010 Slogan: 

"Engaging Africa's Women and Youth to Lead Economic and Climate Justice"

Design By: Sughey Abreu

YOWLI 2010 International Conference Theme: 

"Economic Governance and Climate Justice: Developing the Knowledge and Capacity 

of Africa's Youth to Lead and Organize"

Meet the YOWLI 2010 Participants (II)

Kula Aatoz Zodua -Liberia- 24 years 

I am  Kula Aatoz Zodua from Liberia.I was born on the 17th of September 1986 at the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre.As a child, I attended the Miss Simmons KinderCare; and at the age of five I was later transferred to the St. Theresa’s Convent High School where I acquired a solid learning foundation under the watchful eyes of the Convent Sisters and great school teachers.I participated in several competitions back in primary school, where I was able to win for myself several awards. Competitions like the spelling bee, Arts Contest, Essay Writing, Basketball etc.

Due to the fourteen-year crisis, my family and I were forced to leave Monrovia for Accra, where we spent a total of five years in exile, roaming around Ghana and Nigeria. Upon my return to Liberia, I didn't get a place at St. Theresa’s Convent, because classes were full and their fees were really low, that every parent  could afford it  regardless the social status.  With this, I was compelled to enroll at the B.W. Harris Episcopal High School and won a full basketball Scholarship. I obtained my High School Diploma in 2005. 

Upon completing High School, I enrolled at a Secretarial School, where I successfully graduated as an Executive Secretary.  With this, I felt motivated to continue my college education. I gained admission to the African Methodist Episcopal University in 2007, where I am presently reading Sociology and Public Administration.I like Playing basketball, reading, writing, volunteering, singing and surfing the net; but using the net and reading are what keeps me on bridge waters.  For a particular reason, I got drawn into advocacy and social work.  I am a friend to all, I am recognized by all, and I give my ears to all.   For this, I do comprehend fully the disparity among the upper, middle and lower class in a given society.  In my little effort, I tried to work in close relation with the lower and mid class and at the same time affiliate these two, most especially the formal with the upper class.  In so doing, we can all work together in rebuilding MAMA Liberia without encountering social barriers.

Additionally, I have been equipped and armed by numerous national and international training exercises that serve as motivational tools in helping me continue my good work as a Young Feminine Activist. I envision a world wherein we are all treated free and equal; a world without gun men or tormented check boarders.  I hope to incorporate more young women in same area and thereby encourage men to support our cause.


Marion Akinyi Ochieng - Kenya - 24 years

 My name is Marion Akinyi Ochieng’ 24 years. I am a Diploma Graduate in Community Development and social work. I love dancing, singing and making friends.

I am a good leader, having been in leadership positions since early childhood and have managed to get recognition from my fellow participants in activities i am involved in.

I currently work at YADEN EAST AFRICA as a programs assistant in charge of the S.H.E program. I am a mother of one.

Namumbya Justin Ntule -Uganda- 24 years

My name is Namumbya Justin Ntule.  I was born in Kampala, Uganda, on August 25th, 1986 and have lived in Uganda all my life. I graduated from Makerere University Business School this year  (January 2010) with a degree in Human Resource Management. I Currently work as a Human Resource Operations Officer for Future Options Consulting Ltd, a Human Resource Consultancy firm in Kampala and part time as HR and Cultural Consultant for Seafast Holdings, a logistics and Security Firm.

I am a very social person, I love interacting with different people especially the rural girls. I am reliable and conscientious in my dealing with individuals from all walks of life. I am a very open minded person who respects opinions from different people.I am also aware of cultural differences between, male, female, young and old, as well as Africans and beyond.


I am currently in Icon Leadership Academy and a member of movements such as the Uganda women’s movement and Girls to leaders Movement. I am able use my experience to assist young women and men in understanding the ethos of empowerment and  advocacy and mentoring and also have a passion for being a role model to young girls and Youth in the rural area where I come from.My hobbies include playing active sports such as Volley ball, participating in interactive debates, information sharing and reading inspirational literature.

WORLD AIDS DAY

Source : www.avert.org

World AIDS Day

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World AIDS Day is important for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2009 some 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS. The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

World AIDS Day theme: Universal Access and Human Rights

The theme for World AIDS Day 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towardsuniversal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

What can I do? - Wear a red ribbon and raise awareness

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

The red ribbon started as a "grass roots" effort; as a result there is no one official AIDS ribbon manufacturer, and many people make their own. It's easily done - just use some ordinary red ribbon and a safety pin!

If you want to take your awareness raising a step further then try finding a local event to take part in. Around the world there are hundreds of activities taking place to mark World AIDS Day, including candlelight vigils, art shows, marches and religious services. If you can't find anything in your area then why not organise an event yourself?Food for thought!!

Meet the YOWLI 2010 Participants (I)

Noreen Mukhwana Mutoro - Kenya - 22 years
My name is Noreen Mukhwana Mutoro and I come from Nairobi, Kenya. I am a 3^rd year student at the University of Nairobi doing Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management and Conservation. I am 22 years old, vivacious and with a joie de vivre attitude. I was born on the 24^th of May 1988 and I am the 6^th born in a family of seven. 

My true passion lies in languages and nature. I enjoy learning new languages, new vocabulary and writing or reading quotes. So far, my favorite foreign language is French. I also speak Swahili which is our national language, English and a bit of my mother tongue, Luhya. Everything about nature fascinates me. 

The current project I am working on, together with my community group, involves the making of traditional baskets and all purpose bags, using eco-friendly materials and labor from the locals. This project would help to reduce the use of plastic bags in our community which have become one of the leading causes of environmental pollution. It was also provide job employment for the youth who we plan to train to make our products and last but not least, it will preserve the culture in our community as people would return to use traditional baskets like in the olden days. From our profits, we plan to set recycling bins in designated areas around the town. 

David Takawira - Zimbabwe - 25 years

I am a realist driven by facts, values and ethics as embroilment of character. I value the sanctity of life and equal opportunities in life. I am conscious of the existence, meaning, purpose, potential and destiny of humankind, people, and self. I am motivated by a self-felt, self-accepted calling to the cause of good, growth, and gain in the lives of others. Influential communication of ideas is a primary way of achieving those objectives. My perception and thinking tend to be holistic and conceptual, by seeing the big picture and moving strategically towards it.

My mission is to nurture, contribute to and initiate actions that lead to empowerment and a sense of purpose in my life and that of others. I therefore undertake to promote, inspire and partner with others in striving for development and equality in all cultures, classes, genders and ages. I am thus committed to transforming people and building the capacity of organizations for better development implementation to benefit deprived communities in Zimbabwe, Africa and ultimately the world.

I have a niche for Democracy, Governance, Leadership, Partner Engagement and Human Rights especially Economic, Social and Cultural rights. 

Eunice Kirunda Nsaire - Uganda - 24 years

As principle researcher at Uganda Development Link, Eunice Nsaire works on gender, human traficking and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues with youth in Uganda's slums. She has worked in collaboration with some U.N. agencies as a social worker and helped launch a drug and substance abuse project targeting youth in schools. Additionally, she trains youth on HIV/AIDS and provides them with practical vocational skills and knowledge.

Official YOWLI 2010 Agenda

Dear YOWLI 2010 Participants,

Please find below the official YOWLI 2010 Agenda. You can follow the link to download the agenda and start doing some basic research on the modules. We should send you additional information shortly with course descriptions and some resources to help you prepare.

Best,
YOWLI 2010 Committee

Yowli 2010 Agenda

Creating space for women - Interview with Talent Jumo (YOWLI '08) on YOWLI Zimbabwe

Talent Jumo, YOWLI '08 Grad

What inspired the formation of the Young Women’s Leadership Initiative?

In 2007 a group of young women came together to discuss issues, things that were happening around us. We realised that spaces were getting smaller and most young women weren’t able to participate because of the environment - it was getting volatile. It had also been unfriendly out there for young women to come out and speak. So we thought we should create our own space.

Our focus is young women and leadership, but we have also decided to look at sexual and reproductive health and rights. We felt that it was important for young women to be able to relate to themselves, to know their bodies so that they can gain some form of control over their bodies and their sexuality. It’s only when we are comfortable that we can then manoeuvre into the public space and assert ourselves in those spaces. 

Given all the things that young women are ordinarily concerned about; school, getting a husband, a job, etc; how does YOWLI get young women to think about and actively participate?

The fact that we are talking about our bodies and sexuality is what makes it possible for us to maintain that interest. We are talking about things that are happening to us everyday. In really addressing issues that are affecting us now, and also trying to see how we can live a more meaningful life and be able to participate more fully in other spaces.

So sexuality is an interesting topic for people?

It is. You know people get excited, and when you start talking you never finish. For us we thought we would start talking about issues, which have been deemed ‘sacred cows’. We have players who have been looking at this thematic area for a long time, but not talking about abortion for example. We know that women are aborting. And we know that if a woman wants an abortion they will go ahead and have one. These are the real issues that young women are facing. Issues of lesbianism, bisexuality and being gay, those are issues that we thought we have to talk about it. Issues of sex work: we have a programme where we are helping sex workers to organise through the sisterhood agenda. 

How does the subject of Feminism relate to YOWLI’s work amongst young women?

YOWLI is a feminist organisation. We share the same principles [as feminism], we believe that women have rights; women’s rights are human rights. Human rights are indivisible and they are universal. These are all issues we are pushing through. But because we are at different levels we felt that it would be important to continuously build our own capacities, to strengthen our understanding of feminism, and also to reflect on our lives.

The feminist circle that YOWLI is currently hosting is called the Chimurenga Sisterhood. It’s unique in that it’s not just an academic space. We look at feminism from our lived realities. We want to bring it into our homes and our lives.

Is there a brand of Feminism that may be considered uniquely African?

As a feminist circle we have just started exploring what feminism should be for Africans. I think this feminism for me would be a feminism that [understands] that there is need for us to look at our background and traditions and see the good therein, and be able to build on that, rather than labelling all traditional practices as negative. Take for example the practice of roora, personally I feel that if we do away with roora, we may have trouble. Women may find themselves in huge trouble, where men may feel that women today are worthless. Creating a balance would be for people to be able to exchange gifts. The imbalance comes in because a woman is being equated to a herd of cattle and some cash. 

Would you say this is the beginning of a Zimbabwean Feminist movement?

I believe that feminism is a title that has been stigmatised for a very long time. The arrival of the gender-mainstreaming ideology swept out feminist ideologies. Most women’s groups wanted to be identified with being gender activists and not really feminists. Some people believe that feminist has something to do with being radical extremist pro-abortionists who don’t take time to think. We have had a women’s movement, we have had a gender sector, but I also believe that women’s groups have tended to mainstream gender. Most organisations have taken that approach and used it as an excuse for not really committing resources and time to look at women’s’ empowerment issues. It has watered down the struggle in a way

To find out more about YOWLI Zimbabwe's work and initiatives, check out their website: http://www.pepeta.org/

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Interview & Photo Source: http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/women/101006inzwa2.asp?sector=WOMEN

ATT : PRE-TRAVEL MEDICATION (YOWLI PARTICIPANTS)

Summary of recommendations: YOWLI participants, you are advised to visit your personal physician or a travel health clinic  4 weeks before departure and enquire  about anti-Malaria medication. Vaccinations: pre-travel medication  Malaria in Senegal: Prophylaxis is recommended for  all travelers. Prophylaxis with Lariam (mefloquine),  Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil), or doxycycline is  recommended. Either mefloquine (Lariam), atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone), or doxycycline

 may be given. Mefloquine is taken once weekly in a dosage of 250 mg, starting 

one-to-two weeks before arrival and continuing through the trip and for four weeks 

after departure. Mefloquine may cause mild neuropsychiatric symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, and nightmares. Rarely, severe reactions occur, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, hallucinations, and seizures. Mefloquine should not be given to anyone with a history of seizures, psychiatric illness, cardiac conduction disorders, or allergy to quinine or quinidine.

Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) is a recently approved combination pill taken once daily with food starting two days before arrival and continuing through the trip and for seven days after departure. Side-effects, which are typically mild, may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, or dizziness. Serious adverse reactions are rare.

 Doxycycline is effective, but may cause an exaggerated sunburn reaction.