By Edmond Gyebi Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisah Djaba has pledged government’s commitment towards fighting any forces or socio-cultural practices that are inimical or disadvantageous to the development and welfare of young girls in Ghana, especially child marriage and child labour. The Minister vowed to use every legitimate means (full enforcement of the law) to deal decisively with any individual who would force any young girl into marriage at the expense of their formal education. Mrs. Otiko Afisah Djana said this in Tamale when she paid courtesy calls on the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, Chief of Tamale, Naa Dakpema Alhassan Dawuni and the Gulkpegu Naa Alhaji Alhassan Abdulai on her three-day working visit to the region. She passionately condemned the rate at which most parents in the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions were sacrificing their children’s education for marriages and other personal…

By: Molly Hennessy-Fiske As Saudi Arabia’s ambitious economic and social reform plan initiated by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman takes shape, some Saudi women are just now realizing that many social practices in the kingdom are not enshrined in law. Saudi lawyer Nasreen Issa, 30, recently created an app for iPhone and Android called “Know Your Rights” after more and more women approached her for clarification. The app is in both Arabic and English, designed for both Saudis and foreign women living in or visiting the kingdom. There’s an intro video explaining women’s basic rights, and icons to help navigate the legal system, which relies in part on Islamic religious law, or Sharia. According to the lawyer, this idea was born out of the desire to meet the needs of a lot of women who until this time do not know their writes. “I thought since everyone uses apps…

By: Sascha Wilson The judiciary worker who made a false report that a taxi driver raped her yesterday walked away with a slap on the wrist after the victim begged a Princes Town magistrate to give her chance. After Deonath Ramsubhag, 51, urged the court not to impose a fine, send the accused to jail or do anything which would result in her losing her job, Second Court Magistrate Nalini Singh ordered Wendy Isahark, 45, to serve 250 hours of community service. However, the magistrate felt an appropriate sentence for the crime would have been six months jail. She said, “What you have done is grave and malicious. I think to fabricate a rape case against a man is one of the most horrendous things you could do as a woman. All he has at the end of the day is his word.” …

By: Emily Tsang University of Hong Kong scientists have discovered an antibody that could treat gut inflammation in HIV patients – a common condition for sufferers that can prove fatal. By blocking the pathway that leads to acute gut inflammation, the antibody can also delay the virus from weakening the immune system and prevent sufferers from contracting Aids. But HKU researchers said the treatment, which has so far only been tested on mice, would require further study before being used on HIV-infected patients. Hong Kong could see 35 per cent surge in HIV cases by 2021, report says “This study solves the mystery of an inflammatory mechanism during the acute HIV infection,” said Professor Chen Zhiwei, director of the Aids Institute and microbiology professor at HKU. “It also anticipates developing the antibody as a new immunotherapy to fight against Aids and other inflammation-related diseases.” The findings…

For the first time in cruise industry history, a female seafarer will navigate the rich archipelago of the Galapagos as captain. A native of Ecuador, Nathaly Albán will command the ultra-exclusive Celebrity Exploration; as captain of the recently revitalized catamaran. With a total of 12 years experience sailing throughout the Galapagos, Captain Albán has worked on several ships in the region, first joining the Celebrity family in 2006 as a third officer onboard the 100-guest Celebrity Xpedition. Continuing the brand’s dedication to advancing the role of women in leadership, Albán’s appointment follows that of Celebrity Summit’s own Captain Kate McCue. “Empowering strong women and elevating them to deserved leadership roles is a cause that is close to my heart, and one that Celebrity Cruises truly values,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President, and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “When the opportunity presented itself to promote Nathaly, who radiates passion and love for her job…

A six-member all-women crew of the Indian Navy is set to embark on an eight-month voyage in September to circumnavigate the world, the first such feat to be attempted from Asia. The naval officers led by Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi will set sail in the naval auxiliary vessel INSV Tarini from Goa, and they are expected to depart early September. “We will be passing through some of the roughest patches of the sea during the voyage,” Joshi told reporters today. “This all-women circumnavigation attempt would be the first of its kind, not only from India but also Asia. They are well-trained and with their maritime odyssey, they will also set sail for the record books,” Naval Chief of Personnel Vice Admiral A K Chawla said. “They are going to set benchmarks not just for India but the entire world,” he said. Fellow crew member Pratibha Jamwal, who had joined the…