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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

[Berlin, June 9. Image via AP]

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:

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

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]

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]