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Two themes dominate coverage across our AlertNet and TrustLaw news sites this week – and much of our multimedia reporting will touch on both.
The first is Kenya’s high-stakes election – the first presidential poll since a disputed 2007 election unleashed weeks of tribal bloodshed.
Already, machete-wielding gangs have killed at least 15 people, even as millions wait in long queues to cast their votes. Tensions are high, and many are bracing for a possible repeat of the kind of ethnic violence that killed more than 1,200 people and displaced thousands last time around.
Our correspondent Katy Migiro will be live-blogging as the story develops. We are also following the election through the eyes of several ordinary (some would say extraordinary) Kenyans. One is Grace Omondi, who hopes to become a Nairobi MP in a deeply chauvinistic society. Keep an eye on our special coverage section for the latest news, photos, videos and blogs, including Katy’s must-read Kenya Election Diary.
The other big theme this week is violence against women in general, a topic at the heart of International Women’s Day on Friday and the ongoing U.N. Commission on the Status of Women.
From an extraordinarily effective doorbell-ringing campaign in India to the work of a Thai beauty queen turned campaigner, we’ll be exploring innovative solutions to tackling violence against women. You’ll find them all on our International Women’s Day 2013 blog on TrustLaw Women.
Here are some other issues on our radar:
Q: What is life like for transgendered people in Latin America?
Too many transgender people face widespread discrimination and crimes against them go largely unpunished, according to a new report. Violence and discrimination, often by state security forces, also prevent effective HIV response for transgender people. Anastasia Moloney will have the story.
Q: Why does China see cleaner energy as a matter of self-interest?
As China’s leadership transition continues, the country increasingly sees clean energy as being in its self-interest and new possibilities on energy are emerging. Could a carbon tax be a possibility in the future? Chelsea Diana is looking into it.
Q: What does India’s budget say about government attitudes towards women’s rights?
Nita Bhalla will continue her analysis of last week’s Indian budget, asking what it says (or doesn’t say) about the government's attitude towards women's rights ahead of general elections. She’ll be pouring over the figures and making comparisons with previous budgets. Is this really a new sign of change in how government see women's issues?
If you missed Nita’s coverage last week, here are some highlights:
- India's gender budget is tokenism, populist, say women's groups
- India budget sees women only bank, fund for safety after gang rape case
- Women need more funds for safety, empowerment in India budget - experts
Meanwhile, here’s how we got on answering last week’s questions:
Q: Why hasn’t Britain’s Disasters Emergency Committee launched an appeal for Syria?
A: Katie Nguyen explained all:
- Why no Syria appeal from UK's Disasters Emergency Committee?
- Which DEC members have their own Syria appeals?
- FACTBOX-The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
Q: Has the human rights situation improved in Colombia?
A: Sadly, no. New criminal gangs, bent on maintaining control in their fiefdoms and along cocaine-smuggling routes, are threatening and murdering rights defenders, reported Anastasia Moloney in Colombia's rights defenders under fire.
Q: How can telephone hotlines stop backstreet abortions?
A: Female volunteers are advising women who want abortions how to induce them safely using the drug misoprostol, which is recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Q: What next for climate finance?
A: That was the theme of our live debate, All that glitters: What next for climate finance? More than 800 people worldwide took part. See Megan Rowling’s blog for a round-up of the issues mulled over.
Q: Have Sri Lankan security forces been using rape to torture suspected Tiger supporters?
A: Yes, according to Human Rights Watch.
- Sri Lanka is being targeted over rights abuses, says envoy
- UK should rethink asylum policy to protect Sri Lankans at risk of torture - HRW
Q: Why are rape survivors suing the Kenyan government?
A: Katy Migiro explains in Kenya's rape victims fear fresh attacks with March 4 election.
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