Model and Actor Stella Chuisse: ‘I Want to Be Like Her Is My Way of Paying Tribute to 10 Exceptional Africans’
New Age Islam News Bureau
03 July 2024
· Model and Actor Stella Chuisse: ‘I Want to Be Like Her Is My Way of Paying Tribute to 10 Exceptional Africans’
· Afghanistan Women Want ICC to Create Refugee Cricket Team After Afghanistan Script History at T20 World Cup
· UN’s Brief Side Meeting with Afghan Women Ends
· Pre-Arrest Bail of Imran Khan's Wife Bushra Bibi Approved In £190m Reference
· Suspected Female Suicide Bombers Death Toll Rises To 32 In Nigeria
· Fawe Calls for the Prioritization of Girls' Education in Kenya During the Day of the African Child Celebration
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New Age Islam News Bureau
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Model and Actor Stella Chuisse: ‘I Want to Be Like Her Is My Way of Paying Tribute to 10 Exceptional Africans’
Wed 3 Jul 2024
Actor and model Stella Chuisse
impersonates Angélique Kidjo, a singer, songwriter and composer from Benin as
part of her I Want to Be Like Her photography project. Photograph: Stella
Chuisse
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For generations, African women have played a critical role in the political, economic, social, artistic and spiritual growth of our continent. Many have not received due recognition for their incredible contributions. I Want to Be Like Her is my way of paying tribute to 10 exceptional African women, both living and past. They include writer ChimamandaNgoziAdichie; director general of the World Trade Organization, NgoziOkonjo-Iweala; Cameroonian lawyer and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Alice Nkom; and the late Kenyan environmentalist Wangarĩ Maathai.
These brave trailblazers have changed – and are changing – narratives about Africa. They are examples of what African women are able to achieve and are proof that our continent needs more women in leadership positions. In this image I am posing as AngéliqueKidjo, a singer, songwriter and composer from Benin, who has produced 16 albums and won five Grammy awards. When she was in high school, Kidjo created the word “batonga”, which means “get off my back, I can be whoever I want to be”, as a response to bullying boys. It is now the name of her charity foundation which is supporting the education of young girls in Africa.
To tell these stories, I decided as an actor and model to impersonate each of the women in a series of photos that represent their profession or accomplishments – or both. After realising the strength of the attachment they all have to their own cultures and traditions, I added elements of African lifestyle and crafts to the images, as well as, in this case, two “silhouette” figures draped in ndop cloth.
The idea behind the silhouettes is to show how culture can contribute to the particular identity and strength of these women, from NgoziAdichie’s use of the Igbo language in her books, to the particular ways Nkom, Okonjo-Iweala, Edna Adan and Maathai wrap their head ties, to Kidjo’s use of different African languages and instruments in her songs.
This attachment and faithfulness to the continent is something I wanted to be present in the images to suggest that African culture and traditions have a role to play in shaping future generations of African female leaders. The ndop cloth, which originates from northern Cameroon, was chosen for its beautiful patterns and symbolism. Before being popularised, wearing ndop cloth was restricted to royalty and important officials. It is said to symbolise power, majesty and intelligence; attributes which I believe apply to all the women in the project.
Black and white photo of a women with a long plaited ponytail, wearing a striped outfit and standing against a patterned background
Women behind the lens: ‘I’ve photographed more than 2,000 people in my mobile studio’
A soundtrack containing excerpts of inspiring speeches from some of these women accompanies the images. This is an ongoing project: I plan to feature at least another 30 women from even more countries, and to turn it into a children’s book. Girls have to know that they too can be instruments for Africa’s development, that they are the leaders of tomorrow and that, just like the women profiled, they can influence and inspire future generations with their work and achievements.
Source: theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/jul/03/women-behind-the-lens-i-want-to-be-like-her-stella-chuisse-tribute-to-10-exceptional-africans
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Afghanistan Women Want ICC To Create Refugee Cricket Team After Afghanistan Script History At T20 World Cup
Jul 03, 2024
Afghanistan team logo is seen on a
player's uniform during the men's T20 World Cup cricket match between
Afghanistan and Bangladesh (AP)
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With Rashid Khan's Afghanistan side scripting history at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, a group of Afghan women’s cricketers have again reached out to the sport’s international governing body to help them reform as a refugee side based in Australia. The women have shared a letter with the International Cricket Council (ICC) after Rashid and Co. capped off an unforgettable World Cup in the Caribbean. The Afghanistan men’s team made it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time in their history. After the Taliban took over and enforced bans on women’s sports in Afghanistan, more than two dozen women, who had been in been in the Afghanistan Cricket Board system, sought refuge in Australia in 2021. The group of Afghan women’s cricketers first approached the ICC in 2023. Members of the group have remained keen on playing in domestic competitions in Australia. However, they haven’t had access to international cricket despite ICC regulations needing all Test-playing nations to support men’s and women’s national teams.
'We are asking ICC to assist us in setting up a refugee team'
“A profound sadness remains that we, as women, cannot represent our country like the male cricketers,” the women wrote in a letter to ICC chairman Greg Barclay, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday. "We are asking the ICC to assist us in setting up a refugee team in Australia. Through this team we aim to represent all Afghan women who dream of playing cricket but are unable to in Afghanistan.”
According to the report filed by the news agency, the letter mentioned that ICC's assistance for the refugee team could provide Afghan refugees with a chance to play, coach and administer the team without borders. “The creation of this team will allow all Afghan women who want to represent their country to come together under one banner," the letter continued.
"Our goals in having a refugee team are to develop and showcase our talent, give hope to the women remaining in Afghanistan, and to draw attention to the challenges women of Afghanistan face. Like the Afghanistan men’s team are afforded, we aim to compete at the highest levels."
Cricket Australia has previously supported Afghan women’s players in Australia. The record-time World Cup winners refused to play a bilateral series against the men’s team due to concerns over women’s rights.
Source: hindustantimes.com
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/afghanistan-women-want-icc-to-create-refugee-cricket-team-after-rashid-khan-and-co-script-history-at-world-cup-101719936964236.html
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UN’s Brief Side Meeting with Afghan Women Ends
July 2, 2024
The United Nations meeting with representatives of Afghan civil society and women, held on the sidelines of the Doha Peace Conference, has concluded.
Deputy UN Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo described the session as “useful” in the closing conference, emphasizing the Taliban authorities’ reluctance to engage with Afghan civil society and women.
DiCarlo, who led the side event with Afghan women, acknowledged the dialogue among Afghan stakeholders, noting that the Taliban representatives were unprepared to engage with Afghan civil society and women.
She called the three-hour session with Afghan civil society and women “constructive and beneficial,” highlighting discussions on women’s rights, minorities, media, civil society, and other pertinent issues.
The UN deputy stressed the “privacy” of participants from Afghanistan in this session, refraining from disclosing their identities despite widespread criticisms and symbolic refusals by several individuals invited by the UN due to the perceived tokenism of the event.
Criticism has surrounded the event, questioning the legitimacy of those who accepted the UN’s invitation, including prominent women and civil society members active in various aspects of women’s rights.
In her post-side event press conference in Doha, Rosemary DiCarlo affirmed, “We respect the privacy of participants and do not disclose their names unless they wish to do so themselves.”
Source: khaama.com
https://www.khaama.com/uns-brief-side-meeting-with-afghan-women-ends/
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Pre-Arrest Bail of Imran Khan's Wife Bushra Bibi Approved In £190m Reference
July 02, 2024
RAWALPINDI: The pre-arrest bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's wife and former first lady Bushra Bibi was on Monday approved by an accountability court in the £190 million reference.
The development comes after a two-member Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq MehmoodJahangiri had approved Khan's bail plea in the said case in May.
The former prime minister, along with Bushra and other PTI leaders, are facing a NAB inquiry related to a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon, which allegedly caused a loss of £190 million to the national exchequer.
The couple, however, remains behind bars due to the iddat case and is unlikely to be freed after a district and sessions court rejected their pleas seeking suspension of the sentences in the aforesaid case.
During the hearing today, the NAB presented three more witnesses who were cross-examined by the defence lawyers.
So far, statements of 30 witnesses have been recorded in the case, of which, 27 have gone through cross-examination.
The accountability watchdog's counsels also apprised the court that the arrest warrant for the former first lady has not been issued yet.
The court then summoned other witnesses on the next hearing and adjourned the case till July 5.
The case
The NAB had filed a reference against Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi and others back in December 2023 relating to £190 million that were transferred from the UK.
Amongst those named in the reference are FarhatShezadi (Farah Gogi), Mirza Shehzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari and others.
In the reference, the NAB Rawalpindi said that the accused persons in connivance with each other have committed the offence of corruption and corrupt practices as defined and punishable under the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999.
The watchdog has accused the former PM and others of allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion — £190 million at the time — sent by Britain’s NCA to the Pakistani government as part of the agreement with the property tycoon.
They are also accused of getting undue benefit in the form of over 458 kanals of land at MouzaBakrala, Sohawa, to establish Al Qadir University.
During the PTI government, the NCA seized assets worth 190 million pounds from the business tycoon in Britain.
The agency said the assets would be passed to the government of Pakistan and the settlement with the Pakistani property tycoon was “a civil matter, and does not represent a finding of guilt".
Subsequently, then-prime minister Khan got approval for the settlement with the UK crime agency from his cabinet on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the details of the confidential agreement.
It was decided that the money would be submitted to the Supreme Court on behalf of the tycoon.
Subsequently, the Al-Qadir Trust was established in Islamabad a few weeks after the PTI-led government approved the agreement with the property tycoon.
Bukhari, Babar Awan, Bushra Bibi, and her close friend Farah Khan were appointed as members of the trust.
Two to three months after the cabinet’s approval, the property tycoon transferred 458 canals of land to Bukhari, a close aide of the PTI chief, which he later transferred to the trust.
Later, Bukhari and Awan opted out as the trustees. That trust is now registered in the name of Khan, Bushra Bibi and Farah.
According to the NAB officials, Khan and his wife obtained land worth billions of rupees from the property tycoon, to build an educational institute, in return for striking a deal to give legal cover to the property tycoon’s black money received from the UK crime agency.
Source: thenews.com.pk
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1205677-bushra-bibis-pre-arrest-bail-approved-in-190m-reference
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Suspected female suicide bombers death toll rises to 32 in Nigeria
The number of people who have died in a series of deadly blasts in Nigeria thought to have been carried out by female suicide bombers has risen to more than 30, the vice-president says.
KashimShetim visited the hospital treating the wounded in Borno State capital Maiduguri on Monday and said there were 42 people injured, according to AFP.
The horror of Saturday's brutal co-ordinated attacks that targeted a wedding, the victims' subsequent funeral and a hospital in the town of Gwoza, close to the border of Cameroon, has left the community reeling.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks calling them "desperate acts of terror".
He vowed stern action against those responsible for the killings in the town of Gwoza and insisted that the incident had not undermined recent gains made against jihadists.
"The president declares that the purveyors of wanton violence shall have a certain encounter with justice, and that these cowardly attacks are only but an isolated episode as his government will not allow the nation to slither into an era of fear, tears, sorrow, and blood," a statement issued by his spokesperson on Facebook said.
No-one has admitted carrying out the attacks, but the Nigeria-centred Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents have previously claimed deadly bombings in Borno.
The degree of injuries ranges from abdominal ruptures to skull and limb fractures.
A curfew has been imposed by the military.
Source: bbc.com
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgrlkj9l443o
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Fawe Calls for the Prioritization of Girls' Education in Kenya During the Day of the African Child Celebration
Theme: Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now
Nairobi, Kenya, June 2024: In a vibrant celebration of youth and education, the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, commemorated the Day of the African Child under the theme "Education for All Children in Africa: The Time is Now." This significant event, held at the St. John's Catholic Primary School in Korogocho, underscored the urgent need to ensure quality education for every child across the continent.
The Day of the African Child serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by African children and the imperative to safeguard their rights. This year's theme highlights the critical importance of education as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for sustainable development in Africa. In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, FAWE Kenya is implementing the ImarishaMsichana program, which seeks to significantly reduce incidences of teenage pregnancy in Kenya, a major barrier to adolescent girls and young women's participation in quality education. The program is implemented in 20 counties in Kenya, by three implementation partners - FAWE Kenya, Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) and Kenya Red Cross.
Speaking during the event, Ms. Teresa Omondi-Adeitan, Deputy Executive Director, FAWE Africa, emphasized the critical nature of this mission: "We are honoured to join forces on this important day to advocate for the educational rights of every African child. The time is indeed now to make bold strides towards inclusive and equitable education."
"Enabling diverse young women to access quality learning - particularly at the secondary school level - is ultimately an investment in stronger, more prosperous, and more resilient economies. We cannot afford to leave any talent behind powering Kenya's economic progress, and there is a role everyone can play in addressing the barriers preventing young women from fulfilling their potential," said Ms. Hannah Tsadik, Country Director, Kenya, at the Mastercard Foundation.
Prioritizing education investment, building resilient systems, and embracing innovative approaches are ways of empowering Africa's youth to become leaders, innovators, and architects of a brighter future for the continent. "By coming together to celebrate the Day of the African Child, we reinforce our dedication to creating a future where every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive. The time for action is now," said FAWE Kenya CEO Jeanette Nyanjom.
As partners in promoting educational equity, FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation reaffirm their commitment to advocating for policies and practices that support inclusive education. Together, they urge governments, communities, and international bodies to prioritize education and implement policies that support inclusive education for all children in Africa.
Together, let us transform the promise of Africa's young population into a vibrant reality.
About FAWE
The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) is a Pan-African Non-Governmental Organization founded in 1992 by five women ministers of education to promote girls' and women's education in sub-Saharan Africa in line with Education for All. The organization's members include female ministers of education, university vice-chancellors, education policymakers, researchers, gender specialists and human rights activists.
About FAWE Kenya
Forum for African Women Educationalists - Kenya Chapter (FAWEK) is a Non-Governmental Organization registered in 1996 under section 10 of the NGO Coordination Act, Laws of Kenya; and a member of FAWE network of 34 Chapters in 33 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. FAWEK's vision is to have a just and inclusive society where gender parity and equality in education and training prevails, and the mission is to support girls and women in the acquisition of quality education and training for development. FAWE Kenya aims to ensure that Kenyan girls receive quality education for equal chances in life through championing girls' enrolment, retention, performance, and completion in school.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization separate from the company, with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by the Foundation's Board of Directors and leadership.
Source: allafrica.com
https://allafrica.com/stories/202407020636.html
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