Fighting inequality in India

India and South Africa are thousands of miles apart but share a struggle against discrimination and inequity. Mahatma Gandhi spent his formative years in South Africa, where he forged his identity as a political activist before returning to his native India. Nolwazi...

Shea: Women’s Gold

(All photos by Sarah Watson) By Akinyi Ochieng I knew it was used in cosmetics. But chocolate and medicine? Before I started working with the Global Shea Alliance in Accra, Ghana, I was familiar with shea as a cosmetic product. So I was surprised to learn that shea...

Your chance to change an ancient rite

Your chance to change an ancient rite

Our article on female genital cutting has attracted global interest. Now’s your chance to propose an alternative to this age-old rite. A six-year-old girl screams while being cut in Somalia, 17 June 1996. (AP Photo/Jean-Marc Bouju) Earlier this week,...

Decoding Human Rights

Decoding Human Rights

Human rights are relatively new to international law. But these values safeguard our dignity and protect against government oppression around the world. (iStock.com/Rawpixel Ltd) This article is part of a News-Decoder series of “decoders” that explain...

Women