On Friday 9 August 2024, the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate handed over working equipment to the Country Monitors of the ECOWAS Early Warning System (ECOWARN) in Togo. The handover ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Togolese branch of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP-TOGO) in Lomé where the equioment was handed over on behalf of ECOWAS by the Representative of the ECOWAS Early Warning Directorate, Mr Marcel Komi Koko BOSSOU, Acting Head of Systems Management and Planning Division, in the presence of the National Coordinator of WANEP-TOGO, Mr Seyram ADIAKPO.

During the ceremony, the various speeches presented, emphasized the importance of data collection and early warning in West Africa’s changing security context. These data are necessary for the production of security reports, essential elements for decision-making and rapid intervention by ECOWAS bodies, in the face of conflict situations and all risks of human insecurity in the ECOWAS region.

Mr. Bossou, urged the Country Monitors, to intensify efforts to cultivate a culture of relevance and quality in the preparation and submission of their reports.

The kit officially handed over comprises a HP Probook 440 G10 laptop and a Galaxy S23 Ultra smart phone, which are epected to reinforce the operational capacities of the Country Monitors in the production and real-time submission of early warning reports.

The Country Monitors took the opportunity to express their sincere gratitude to the President of the Commission, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, and the Vice-President, H.E. Mme Damtien Larbli TCHITCHINBIDJA, for these working tools that support them in the production of effective data,  and pledged to make optimal use of this equipment to improve the quality and promptness of the reports transmitted, thus contributing more effectively to crisis prevention and management in the region.

ECOWARN is a system set up by ECOWAS to provide regional decision-makers with relevant information on incidents, trends in peace and security, and options for intervention. The system is ran by a range of actors, including the ninety-two (92) Country Monitors across ECOWAS Member States.

This initiative is part of the ongoing strengthening of the ECOWARN system, a key component of the ECOWAS conflict prevention, management and resolution mechanism. It bears witness to the regional institution’s commitment to providing its Country Monitors with the resources they need to better fulfill their mission of monitoring and early warning in the service of peace and security in the ECOWAS region.

On Saturday August 3, 2024 in Cotonou, Mr Marcel BOSSOU handed over the same equipment to the Country Monitors in Benin. This program is ongoing for all member states till September 2024.This equipment were funded with the financial support from the African Union’s APSA project.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President Cyril Ramaphosa is leading the call to men across South Africa to take a stand against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by signing a virtual pledge at https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/endGBVF.

President Ramaphosa launched the call to action by signing the pledge alongside men from all sectors of society at Pofadder, Northern Cape, on the occasion of Women’s Day on Friday, 09 August 2024. 

Among signatories who joined the President were Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Alvin Botes, members of the provincial executive, local government leadership and representatives of community- and faith-based organisations and learners.

The pledge commits men to be allies and part of the solution by maintaining positive behaviour and attitudes and to take responsibility for their actions. 

The pledge commits men to never raise a hand against a woman, to treat women as equals, to respect the rights of women and relate to women with dignity.

President Ramaphosa urges all of society to work together to end gender-based violence and calls on men who live by positive values to assist other men to mend their conduct and to report instances of abuse and related wrongdoing.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 15 August 2024, preside over the signing of the second Presidential Health Compact at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

The second compact follows the 2023 Presidential Health Summit which built on the inaugural summit of 2018 and brought together government, business, labour, civil society, health professionals, unions, service users, statutory councils, academia, and researchers to develop sustainable and inclusive solutions to challenges in the national health system.

The stakeholders involved in the Presidential Health Compact are integral to supporting the Department of Health in improving the health system.

It initially consisted of nine pillars with a 10th pillar added during last year’s summit. 

These include development of human resources; improving access to medicine, vaccines and health products; upgrading infrastructure; private sector engagement; quality healthcare; public sector financial management improvements; governance and leadership; community engagements; information systems and pandemic preparedness.

The signing of the second Presidential Health Compact will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 15 August 2024 
Time: 14h30 (Media to arrive at 13h00) 
Venue: Union Buildings Courtyard, West Wing, Pretoria

Members of the media wishing to cover the event are asked to send their details to  Makungu Mbetse on makungu@presidency.gov.za and copy Patience Mtshali on patience@presidency.gov.za not later than today, Tuesday, 13 August 2024 at 17h00.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

As part of its Beijing+20 Campaign and its work to engage men and boys in gender equality and transforming social and gender norms, UN Women participated in the Men Engagement Capacity Enhancement Training. The workshop was hosted by Advocates for Social Change Kenya (ADSOCK) and a national network of civil society organizations and journalists.

“When the man becomes that transformation, he will automatically model the change we are seeking,” said Faith Nashipae, head of the Male Engagement Thematic area for the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Actions.

The social norms that give men more power and autonomy than women, and the cultural expectations around masculinity also shape men’s decisions and behaviours. Men often feel the pressure to conform to society’s standards of what it means to be a ‘real man.’

Thuku Njuguna, the vice chair of Men for Gender Equality Now, shared, “Masculinity is both a prejudice to manhood and a book of social laws, or we can even say a guide to which men are held.”

Many men are starting to challenge the pressure associated with traditional masculinity. They are using their voices and privilege to shift norms and perceptions about gender, and are working to address the patriarchal beliefs, practices, institutions, and structures that have contributed to inequality between men and women.

Fredrick Nyagah, the Chairperson of Men Engage Kenya Network, adds, “Male engagement is an approach to constructively involve men and boys for the benefit of both genders, ultimately achieving gender equality.”

Transforming deeply ingrained gender norms depends on a few critical factors, and UN Women is collaborating with various stakeholders to encourage discussion and promote understanding of the social construction of masculinities within specific contexts.

Men’s participation in helping to shape the future of gender roles and relations is crucial. The training appealed to men to take personal and collective responsibility to help end gender inequality and emphasized accountability and building alliances towards systematic change.

“Women and men should be equal partners. There is no other way to live,” explained Phil Otieno, Executive Director of ADSOCK. He added that the engagement of both parties as a complementary approach has the potential to accelerate the achievement of SDG 5 on Gender Equality and the reduction of harmful gender and cultural norms in Kenya.

UN Women and the participating stakeholders charted a course for action, including engaging male policymakers in discussions about dismantling harmful aspects of traditional masculinity. By involving men as partners and beneficiaries of change, the workshop participants hope to build a future where everyone can thrive.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.