Jezebel: Africa

University Institutes Dress Code to Keep Students From Getting Raped

Anna North — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:20:00 EST

Cameroon's University of Buea has been nicknamed "Government High School Buea" for its restrictive dress code, and students — especially women — are annoyed at the school's attempts to police their clothing. But the university says the dress code is necessary to keep students from getting raped. More »

Sexual Violence Against Women Soars In Somalia

Margaret Hartmann — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST

Somalia has been devastated by conflict for decades, and now the country is dealing with famine as well. These factors have made living in what was already one of the most dangerous areas on the planet even harsher for women. Recently there's been an increase in various forms of sexual abuse against women, ranging from forced marriages to gang rapes. More »

Turns Out Diamonds Aren't Really Your Best Friend After All

Erin Gloria Ryan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:30:00 EST

A global advocacy group called Global Witness has recused itself from a coalition that aims to eliminate the flow of blood diamonds into the global marketplace, saying the safeguards that have been put in place aren't preventing tainted conflict gems from being bought by consumers. I guess diamonds are maybe more like a girl's best frenemy. Especially if the girl is from Africa. More »

Senegal Moves Toward Ending Female Circumcision

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:10:00 EDT

For years human rights organizations have been working to put an end to the tradition of cutting off a girl's clitoris, which an estimated 92 million African women and girls have been subjected to. Particularly rapid progress is being made in Senegal, thanks to a local movement that addresses the problem with sensitivity to cultural practicies. More »

Birth Control Shot Found To Double HIV Risk In African Women

Margaret Hartmann — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:20:00 EDT

As if the AIDS crisis in Africa wasn't bad enough, scientists now believe that a birth control method that's popular in the eastern and southern parts of the continent is increasing women's HIV risk. A major peer-reviewed study found that women who get a hormone shot every three months double their risk of becoming infected with HIV, and the male partners of HIV-positive women are twice as likely to conract the disease. More »

Nasty Foot Stench Could Help Fight Malaria

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EDT

Fredros Okumu, a 29-year-old entomologist from Kenya, is in the process of developing a mosquito trap that uses rancid socks as bait. After his mentor discovered that mosquitos are drawn to human foot odor, Okumu began working on a way to make a cheap trap. He plans to have villagers wear cotton pads in their socks, then drop them into a wooden box with battery-operated fans to spread the odor. He hopes that the trap can be used along with drugs, bed nets, and spraying to cut malaria deaths in Africa. More »

Strauss-Kahn's Accuser Portrayed As Noble Savage, "Perfect" Victim

Anna North — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:20:00 EDT

When they're not speculating about her HIV status or ogling her ass, the media paint a consistent picture of Dominique Strauss-Kahn's accuser as naive, docile, almost without a will of her own. In so doing, they're playing into stereotypes about immigrants — and rape victims. More »

Lack Of Pads And Tampons Keep South African Girls Home From School

Sadie Stein — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:11:00 EDT

A lack of basic essentials is limiting some girls' education. More »

Beyoncé's Face "Voluntarily" Darkened For Fashion Shoot

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:51:00 EST

Beyoncé is featured on the new cover of noted French fashion magazine L'Officiel Paris. The publication is celebrating its 90th anniversary; Ms. Knowles joins the festivities by "paying tribute" to Nigerian musician and human rights activist Fela Kuti. Apparently she went to see the Broadway show Fela! and was inspired to use his music as an influence on her upcoming album. The magazine photo shoot is tied in somehow, with an "African Queen" theme. According to a statement from the mag: More »

Toe The Line

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST

Peiti, Sudan, Jan 9: Southern Sudanese women wait to cast their votes at a polling station. About four million Southern Sudanese voters began casting their ballots in a referendum on independence that is expected to split the nation in two.

Somali Town Bans Man-Woman Handshakes and Other Perfectly Innocent Things

Lauri Apple — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:00:39 EST

Residents of Jowhar say Islamist insurgents have promised to whip, imprison, or kill them if they violate new edicts banning unrelated women and men from shaking hands, talking, or walking together. Good luck promoting your town now, Johwar Tourist Bureau. More »

More Than 1 in 3 South African Men Admit To Being Rapists

Erin Gloria Ryan — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 13:40:00 EST

Of the men who admitted to committing rape, one third did not feel guilty about what they'd done. I wonder what Privilege Denying Dude has to say about this. More »

L.A.M.B.: The Hippest Afro-Beat Party You've Never Been To

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:47:00 EDT

You can almost hear the music as you look at pictures from Gwen Stefani's spring 2011 collection for L.A.M.B. According to reports from the show, people were dancing in their seats. More »

What Will Naomi Campbell Say About Her Blood Diamond?

casey reed — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:52:00 EDT

British supermodel Naomi Campbell has been called to testify in the trial of former Liberian president Charles Ghankay Taylor at The Hague in the Netherlands — will she talk about her blood diamond? More »

Lip Service

Anna Holmes — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:10:00 EDT

[Berlin, June 9. Image via AP]

Fashion Enthusiasts Ponder Vogue Africa

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:40:00 EDT

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Blogger/stylist/former model Rosemary Kokuhilwa writes: "I think it's about time we have Vogue magazine in Africa." She's referring to images by Paris-based Cameroonian photographer Mario Epanya, which illustrate what Vogue Africa could look like. Good idea? Yes and no: More »

Sexual Assault In Congo: Activists Speak Out

Katy Kelleher — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:20:00 EDT

Lisa Shannon became an activist in Africa after watching a moving episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Alice Walker has played a key part in the feminist movement for years. Recently, they shared their thoughts on rape in the Congo. More »

Price Of Beauty: Jessica Visits Ugandan "Fattening Hut"

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EDT

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Last night's episode of The Price Of Beauty involved Jessica Simpson and her friends visiting a village in Uganda, where the Hima — a "tribe" of people in Eastern Africa — believe that a beautiful woman is a fat woman. More »

Wee Are The World

Anna Holmes — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:10:00 EST

[Wee, Kenya; February 23. Image via Getty]

Trojan Explains How To Prevent "Mistakes" • Palin Takes Book Tour To Fort Hood

Margaret Hartmann — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

• The consequences of unprotected sex are pretty obvious nine months later, but this ad from Trojan shows there can also be unforeseen consequences 32 years later when your "mistake" is annoying other people in a movie theater. • More »

White (Wo)Man's Burden: Madonna, Malawi, & Celebrity Activism

LatoyaPeterson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EDT

On Monday, Madonna broke ground on a new school project in Malawi; today, she takes to the Huffington Post to ask for donations. Her megawatt star power helped engage media attention - but are high profile celebrities actually hurting progress? More »

Watch Out Victoria Beckham: African WAGs are Putting a Stylish Foot Forward

LatoyaPeterson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EDT

The Wives and Girlfriends (WAGs) of Footballers (soccer players) enjoy a sort of notoriety in the press. Victoria Beckham is by far the most famous, but a new crop of African women are showing off their glamor as well. More »

Woman-Owned Shoe Company Poised To Become "Africa's Answer To Nike"

LatoyaPeterson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Ethiopian brand "SoleRebels", owned by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, is rapidly becoming a model for socially responsible companies around the globe. More »

African Fashion Magazines On The Rise

LatoyaPeterson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EDT

Arise, True Love, Haute, and Helm are among the titles leading Africa's entrance to the world of fashion glossies. An article in the New York Times takes us inside this emerging market and illuminates the growing sartorial scene. More »

Jessica Simpson's Human Sensitivity Fail, Updated

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EDT

While filming her new reality show in Uganda, Jessica Simpson was incredulous over having to sleep with a mosquito net, tweeting, "WTF?!? Do I really have to sleep like this?" and posted this pout-y picture. [Us] More »

"Mom, You Think They're Giving Me Fufu At School?"

Sadie Stein — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:20:00 EDT

The documentary Bronx Princess is all about culture clash. Rocky is a literal princess; her father is a chief in Ghana. We watch her take two journeys: her first trip to Africa, and Freshman year at couldn't-be-farther-from-the-Bronx college. More »

How Is Climate Change Affecting Women in West Africa?

LatoyaPeterson — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:20:00 EDT

Gendered effects of climate change? Women and girls in Togo are being disproportionately affected due to loss of work in the agricultural sector, and the increased chore load for tasks like gathering firewood and searching for clean water. [VOA News] More »

Malawian Studies At Phillips Exeter Academy, But Faces Challenges Back Home

Margaret Hartmann — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:20:00 EDT

16-year-old Malawian Idah Savala attends school on an American scholarship and studied at Phillips Exeter this summer, but the difficulty of being accepted to Malawian universities and paying tuition may still derail her dream of becoming a doctor. [CS Monitor] More »

Truck Stop Girls Just Want "Someplace Safe"

Sadie Stein — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EDT

There's a heartbreaking account in this week's New York Times magazine about Swaziland's "truck-stop girls." And the sad thing is, this is one of the better stories. More »

Real Life Soapdish: Susan Lucci Assists Abandoned Children

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:20:00 EDT

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Susan Lucci visited Kenya last week for the Frances Jones Abandoned Babies organization, where she cuddled with kids, hung out with wildlife, and helped serve food — while wearing heels. It reminded me of the film Soapdish. "It's so warming!" More »

Tina Brown-Style "Tide Of Trivialization" Threatens To Swamp Clinton Trip

Anna North — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EDT

Tina Brown continued her belittlement campaign against Hillary Clinton today, telling Morning Joe that Clinton "needs to get back in the gym." Will this "tide of trivialization," as the Times' Judith Warner calls it, keep Clinton from doing her job? More »

"My Husband Is Not Secretary Of State, I Am"

Sadie Stein — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EDT

The fact that an audience member reportedly asked Hillary Clinton "what her husband thought" about a matter of policy in a Congolese town hall meeting today hints at some of the underlying issues Clinton was there to address: More »

Standing On Ceremony

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:10:00 EDT

[Nairobi, August 6. Image via Getty.]

Girl Soldiers Continue To Suffer As Taylor's War Crimes Defense Begins

Margaret Hartmann — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:40:00 EDT

Former Liberian president Charles Taylor may be taking the stand in International Criminal Court tomorrow to defend himself against war crimes charges, but women in Liberia say they continue to suffer after Taylor turned them into child soldiers. More »

Colorful, Captivating Clothes At Arise Africa Fashion Week

Dodai Stewart — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EDT

All week, Arise Africa Fashion Week has been taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The show features elite designers from the continent in the first of what will become an annual showcase. More »

Elder Stateswoman

Anna Holmes — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:10:00 EDT

[Koute, Ivory Coast. June 4. Image via Getty]

Football Teams Aim To Educate And Empower Female Athletes

Margaret Hartmann — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:30:00 EDT

In a conservative province of Kenya, a football team Unicef organized six years ago to encourage girls to attend HIV education classes has spawned thousands of teams for women. More »

The Good Old Days, For The Lucky

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:20:00 EDT

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A description of an item on this Out Of Africa-inspired page: "There's a wonderfully colonial sensibility to this locket." Wonderfully colonial? Hmm. More »

Nigeriens, Iraqis Denounce Female Genital Mutilation

Margaret Hartmann — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EDT

Promising news in the campaign against female genital mutilation: 10 villages in Niger have publicly denounced the practice and the parliament in Iraq's northern autonomous region of Kurdistan is preparing to issue a ban. More »

When African Women Farm, African Women Eat

Megan Carpentier — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:30:00 EDT

Liesl Gerntholtz of Human Rights Watch has a great OpEd in the Boston Globe tracking how women's lack of property rights in some African countries directly affects their ability to feed themselves and their children. More »