Samiha Yunus’ Post

If you ask me how I'm doing lately, I'll be honest with you - my answer will likely be "tired" and "exhausted"! 😓 Not physical exhaustion, but emotional, spiritual, and mental fatigue. Why, you ask? Because the world out there is exhausting. 🌍👩👧 In 2024, we're facing challenges that should be unthinkable in our modern world. And particularly for marginalized groups most affected being women and girls in their diversities. Today in particular has been those days when I’ve been reminded of the sheer amount of work that is yet to be done. As I moderated a conversation with Kenya's Generation Equality Kenya commitment makers, hosted by UN Women Africa We discussed progress, challenges, and ways forward in our fight for gender equality. To give you a snapshot particularly of the challenges I want to highlight that in 2024 we still have … - Some countries DARING to reverse FGM laws, forgetting that it's an act of violence against girls and women, causing lifelong trauma or even death. 💔 - Attempts still in some countries to reduce the age of consent for marriage to 9 years old. A 9-year-old is a child, period. 🚫👰♀️ - Girls around the globe are denied their right to education due to repressive regimes. 📚❌ - Thousands of children in Palestine, Congo, and Sudan are dying from hunger or worse bombs yet it's deemed "politically incorrect" to speak about these atrocities. 🕯️ - Women are losing their lives in childbirth due to poor nutrition and lack of resources. 🤰💔 - Women can be brutally murdered, yet their perpetrators are protected. 😞 I'm tired, but we must keep pushing forward. Because 5, 10, 20 years from now, I don't want our children exhausted by the very things tiring our souls today. The poignant reminder of the reality we live in today from the discussions today have however come as powerful reminder: we must continue to push forward through the pushback. Our persistence today paves the way for a better tomorrow. 🌟🌍💖 #WomensRights #HumanRights #GlobalIssues #KeepFighting #pushingforwardagainstthepushback #restpeaceRebeccaCheptegei #GenerationEquality #Beijing+30

Join this all male panel discussion on advancing the rights of women and girls: the impact of a legal framework such as the Maputo Protocol. The advancement of women's rights is not just a "women's issue" but a societal one that requires more inclusive dialogue that can help shift mindsets across different genders. 👇🏿From the lips of men #MaputoProtocol #africanwomen #InclusiveAdvocacy #Allyship #SOAWR Equality Now Alliances for Africa UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women Co-Impact BAOBAB NG African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) Open Society Foundations Open Society-Africa Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)

During the national launch of the 16 days of activism against GBV in Makueni county, Kenyan government committed to: 1. Establish safe houses and crisis centres, so far the government in partnership with civil society has set up 50 safe houses across the country for thousands of women and children survivors of GBV.The government in collaboration with development partners implemented economic empowerment programs that offer survivors literacy training and entrepreneurship opportunities to rebuild their lives. 2. Ensure enhancement of justice systems, and work with communities to ensure safer homes and safer spaces. All citizens were urged to uphold the essential role of women full and equal participation in every sphere of society. Citizens were urged to pledge to nature a culture where women and girls can live with out fear, where their potential is celebrated, not silenced. #16DaysOfActivismAgainstGBV #StoptheViolence #EndGBV #YW4A #YWRG YW4A Partnership & Initiative YWCA Kenya World YWCA Equality Now

"We know how to boost women’s economic prospects, points out Rudo Kayombo of BRAC International. In Africa, for example, “research and experience have shown the effectiveness of providing women and girls living in extreme poverty with a productive asset, support to meet their basic needs, and long-term coaching and training.” But while countries have “the resources, the evidence, and the technical knowledge,” they often lack “the political will to act.”" #BRAC #Ultrapoor #Povertygraduation #womenempowerment #elites #politicalwill #Developmentbargain #Assettransfers https://lnkd.in/eNrBfUgP

As we approach #Menstrual Hygiene Day, dispelling myths about mental hygiene is essential. Here's one #myth you should be aware of before the day arrives.

Women Centered Documentary Projects I would be honored to produce: 1. Empowerment Portraits: Documenting the lives of women who are making significant contributions to their communities or overcoming challenges. 2. Cultural Heritage Series: Capturing the diverse cultural practices, traditions, and ceremonies specific to women in different regions of Nigeria. 3. Health and Wellness: Raising awareness about women's health issues and documenting efforts to improve access to healthcare services. 4. Community Advocacy: Partnering with local women's rights organizations to document their advocacy efforts and the impact they have on women's lives. 5. Motherhood and Family Life: Exploring the joys and challenges of motherhood and family life in Nigeria, highlighting different perspectives and experiences. 6. Fashion and Style: Showcasing the unique fashion and style of Nigerian women, celebrating their creativity and individuality. #IWD2024

Through effective implementation, the policy will help alleviate caregiving burden, promote social acceptance, and empower caregivers, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and inclusive Ghana. Also, expanding inclusive education can advance gender equity and social justice by ensuring that caregivers receive the support they need while improving outcomes for CWDDs. Ultimately, the project aims to expand solutions that promote inclusive education as a means of reducing care work among women and girls. By translating research into actionable policy recommendations, it strives to create a more supportive environment for caregivers and foster gender equity and social inclusion in Ghana. The work of SCIAAfrica, in conjunction with initiatives like this, emphasizes the importance of care work in development. By recognizing and addressing unpaid care work, we can establish more inclusive, equitable societies where caregivers and the people they support can thrive. In summary, this Care Innovations project has the potential to foster a more inclusive society by enhancing the lives of both CWDDs and their caregivers. @IDRC_CRDI @GAC_Corporate @SongtabaNGO @clcdghana #InternationalDayofCareandSupport #ScalingCareInnovations #CareEconomy #SDG5 #GenderEquality #IDRC #CLCD #cdsafrica #songtaba

🚨 New Partnership Announcement! 🚨 We at Save The Slum Initiative are excited to share our new partnership with UNICEF Nigeria, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and key stakeholders in Kaduna State, focused on a critical initiative: Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This partnership aims to confront and eliminate this harmful practice that affects millions of girls and women worldwide. FGM not only poses serious health risks but also infringes upon the fundamental rights of women and girls, impacting their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Our project is centred around community engagement and capacity building. We believe that by empowering communities with knowledge and resources, we can foster a culture of support that protects girls from FGM. Through education and advocacy, we will work closely with community leaders, healthcare providers, and local organizations to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM. We will also provide training and resources to help individuals and families understand their rights and the long-term implications of this practice. Our goal is to create safe spaces where girls can thrive and be free from harm. Together, we are working towards a future where no girl suffers the pain and long-term effects of FGM. By uniting our efforts, we can pave the way for meaningful change and contribute to the #SustainableDevelopmentGoals, particularly Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. We invite everyone to join us in this vital mission. Let’s stand together to #EndFGM, protect the rights of our daughters, and support the health and well-being of our communities. Your voice matters, and together, we can make a difference! 📍 Target Areas: Kaduna South & Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State 🔗 Learn more about our initiatives and how you can get involved at www.savetheslum.org.ng #EndFGM #PartnershipForChange #SaveTheSlum #UNICEF #UNFPA #KadunaState #SDG5 #WomensRights #CommunityEngagement #HumanRights #GirlsRights

Increasing Women's participation and localizing UNRSC 1325 in breaths peace and social cohesion. It's all about amplifying women's voices in local dialogue structures. #MOHCAM and the #OpenSociatyFoundation are #breaking the #barriers and engaging more women as Community #Mediators in the North West Region of Cameroon. #Together Let's Engage More Women as Community Mediators Women Peacebuilder's Network - WOPEN,Sustainable Women Organization-SWO,Positive Vision Cameroon,Anppcan Cameroon Youth Empowerment And Resilience Network,Association for the Wellbeing of Women and Indigenous People,Community Initiative for Women's Engagement in Development - CIWED,Center for Strategic Communication, Peace Building and Sustainable Development

Did you know that in Kenya, 75% of femicide victims are killed by someone they know? Partners, relatives, or friends? Or that in Tanzania, nearly half of all women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime? In Kenya, over 90 women were killed in femicide cases in just three months last year, and the Nairobi Women’s Hospital handles around 4,000 GBV cases every month. In the past three months alone, 97 women in Kenya have been murdered, one every single day. Among the recent cases is the tragic story of Waris Daud, her daughter Nuseiba, and her niece Amina, brutally murdered in Nairobi and Machakos in October. Their deaths are a painful reminder of the systemic failure to protect women from violence. These aren’t just numbers, they represent silenced voices, stolen dreams, and lives lost. This past week, I’ve been reflecting on how deeply entrenched violence is in our systems and cultures. Why are young women forced to stay in abusive relationships? Why do we normalize traditions that harm instead of empower? Why do we look away until the violence is too loud to ignore? Violence against women doesn’t come out of nowhere. It is rooted in systems that silence women, normalize control, and excuse harm. It’s in the way we overlook harmful traditions, fail to address economic dependency, and ignore the subtle ways our words and actions perpetuate inequality. As I reshare this post for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, I’m inviting us to think about the answers. Change starts with acknowledgment. It starts with asking ourselves hard questions about how our society allows these tragedies to continue. This is not just a women’s issue. It’s a human issue. And it’s time we treated it that way. #16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #StopFemicide #ProtectHerFuture #EndFemicideKenya #StopEarlyMarriageTanzania #StopViolenceAgainstWomen #BreakTheSilence #HerVoiceMatters #UNiTE