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Thinking local in Haiti

New report highlights the importance of devolving decisions to local level in Haiti

A new report published by Progressio, in partnership with CAFOD, International HIV-AIDS Alliance, SCIAF and Tearfund, calls for the international community to encourage increased decision-making at local level (or “decentralisation”) in Haiti. Haitian civil society voices argue in the report that taking decisions at local level whenever possible is key to successfully tackling Haiti’s reconstruction and development challenges for the long term.

Timor-Leste: The fighting spirit of Timorese women

Progressio's media officer Lucy Jenkinson writes:

A week before my arrival in Timor Leste, Ban-ki Moon and Gordon Brown were here to formally announce the withdrawal of the UN from this millennium's first new country - more than 10 years after the UN arrived in the wake of the Indonesian army's reluctant retreat following a bloody war of independence.

Somaliland: Local elections will be tough test for democracy

Somaliland will need to overcome several obstacles if it is to successfully hold local elections this year, according to a new report from Progressio.

The report, Preparing for local elections in Somaliland: Plans, challenges and progress (1MB PDF), says that obstacles to credible elections include a high level of complexity in the planned process, and recent challenges to press freedom.

Zimbabwe: Women showing men the way

In a village surrounded by African bush, where it is ‘normal’ for men to have three wives and 15 children to call their own; a place entrapped in Tonga-tribe traditions, peppered with Catholic ideology, it is a wonder that women have any say at all.

But after meeting women at the Kariyangwe Parish Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) group, Binga, I was thrilled to see that women are in fact fighting tradition. They are becoming more vocal, active members of the community, thanks to the support of Progressio development worker, Arkmore Kori (pictured below).

Dominican Republic: Progressio partner launches national guide on gender

Progressio partner FEDOMU (Federacion Dominicana de Municipios) has drawn on its successful work to mainstream gender in local government policy and practice to publish a guide for national use.

The tool, which encourages greater consideration of gender issues and equality within development planning and programmes, was launched at a ceremony attended by key figures from government, representatives from the World Bank, and Progressio’s sub-regional manager, Nicolo Schiaparelli.

Zimbabwe: Women leaders in churches and communities

No sooner had I arrived in Zimbabwe than I realised how much tougher life is simply being a woman. There are many burdens faced by women in Zimbabwe: they are the breadwinners, they provide food and water for the family, collect firewood, take care of the children and the sick and are central to family life. But despite playing such a significant role in society, women are struggling.

Zimbabwe: Why gender is an issue of justice

Philemon Handinahama is a Progressio development worker working for the National Faith-Based Council of Zimbabwe (NFBCZ) to inform and influence opinion-formers within the churches to promote a greater understanding of gender issues, stigma and discrimination, and to reduce violent sexual behaviour towards women in the context of HIV and AIDS. Phil has been working for Progressio for five years.

Yemen: We want peace, stability and better lives

Progressio's country representative in Yemen, Abeer Al-Absi, writes about the elections held on 21 February 2012:

Today, as I voted, I felt part of a Yemeni nation eager for democratic state-building.

In this period of transition for Yemen, support from the international community is crucial to secure a peaceful and stable future for ordinary Yemeni people.

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