In traditionally macho Brazil and in the male-dominant sports world, a female coach, Yuko Fujii was appointed head coach of the country’s renowned judo men’s team. Today, she has made history as the first female head coach of Brazilian men’s judo. The only woman to ever coach the Brazilian women’s national football team was fired after less than a year, prompting protests by players. The Brazilian Judo Confederation hopes it is playing a part in changing that. “Our selection of Yuko as head coach for the men’s team really surprised the judo world. I’m sure other federations and other sports teams in Brazil will follow the example.” “Yuko is an excellent example of the increasing recognition of women’s role in sports, especially since judo is a martial art that women have had restricted access to throughout history,” says Ney Wilson, a confederation administrator. Yuko says that she just wants…

A flight school in Saudi Arabia is opening its doors for women, following the end of a decades-long driving ban. Oxford Aviation Academy, a leading trainer and crew recruiter, has already received applications from hundreds of women hoping to start lessons in September at a new branch in the eastern city of Dammam. According to applicant Dalal Yashar, who aspires to work as a civil pilot “People used to travel abroad (to study aviation), which was difficult for women more than men.” “We are no longer living in the era where women were allowed (to work) in limited areas. All avenues are now opened for women. If you have the appetite, you have the ability,” she said. The academy is part of a $300 million project that includes a school for aircraft maintenance and an international center for flight simulators at the airport. Students receive three years of academic…

Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, a former Ghanaian minister of Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs, has been appointed as the director-general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Hanna Tetteh replaced Ethiopian diplomat Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde who will now be the Special Representative to the African Union and head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU). This disclosure was made by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh served as Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2013 – 2017, prior to which she was the Minister for Trade and Industry between 2009 -2013. While at Foreign Affairs, she was a member of her country’s National Security Council and the Armed Forces Council. She was also the chairperson of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a 15-member state bloc, from 2014 to 2015. During her tenure as Trade minister,…