Syrian women fight back against sextortion – DW – 12

The article discusses the increase in sexual exploitation and sextortion in Syria, exacerbated by social media and the ongoing conflict. It highlights the story of Nour, a victim who was blackmailed with her own pictures by her ex-boyfriend. The piece details the efforts of the Gardenia initiative, founded by Syrian doctor Zainab AlAassi, which empowers women and offers legal and psychological support to victims. The initiative's 'It Is Your Right' campaign has encouraged over 1,100 Syrian women to share their stories. The article also mentions the work of lawyer Bara Altrn, who provides free legal advice to victims, and the 'No to Electronic Sexual Harassment' group, which aims to shut down harassing Facebook accounts. The initiatives mentioned operate independently of the Syrian government and are non-political in nature. The article was produced in collaboration with the media network Egab.

Syrian women fight back against sextortion – DW – 12

The article discusses the increase in sexual exploitation and sextortion in Syria, exacerbated by social media and the ongoing conflict. It highlights the story of Nour, a victim who was blackmailed with her own pictures by her ex-boyfriend. The piece details the efforts of the Gardenia initiative, founded by Syrian doctor Zainab AlAassi, which empowers women and offers legal and psychological support to victims. The initiative's 'It Is Your Right' campaign has encouraged over 1,100 Syrian women to share their stories. The article also mentions the work of lawyer Bara Altrn, who provides free legal advice to victims, and the 'No to Electronic Sexual Harassment' group, which aims to shut down harassing Facebook accounts. The initiatives mentioned operate independently of the Syrian government and are non-political in nature. The article was produced in collaboration with the media network Egab.

Lebanon’s economic crash leads to surge in period poverty

The article discusses the severe impact of Lebanon's economic crisis on women's ability to afford sanitary products, leading to a rise in period poverty. With the local currency losing about 90% of its value, the cost of sanitary pads has more than quintupled, pushing women to seek cheaper, often substandard alternatives. The article highlights the efforts of individuals and organizations to address this issue by promoting eco-friendly and reusable menstrual products. Shops like Earthona and BDeal have seen an increase in sales of reusable pads, while online shop Juniper promotes menstrual cups. The American University of Beirut has studied the cost-effectiveness of reusable pads, and NGOs like Fe-Male, Plan International, and Dawrati are working to raise awareness and provide menstrual products. The article also covers the Jeyetna festival, which distributes free eco-friendly menstrual products across Lebanon. Despite these efforts, the high initial cost of reusable products remains a barrier for many women in Lebanon.

Delivering babies in a Nigerian camp: ‘I’ve had to use plastic bags as gloves’

Liyatu Ayuba, a 62-year-old internally displaced person (IDP) in Nigeria, has become the sole midwife at the Durumi 1 IDP camp in Abuja after witnessing the death of a woman and her baby due to lack of access to healthcare. Ayuba, who has no formal medical training, has delivered 118 babies and is known as the 'woman leader' in the camp. The article highlights the challenges faced by IDPs in accessing healthcare, particularly maternal and neonatal services. It cites the high maternal mortality rate in Nigeria and the additional barriers for IDP women. The camp relies on donations for medical supplies, which have dwindled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ayuba received four months of training from a private hospital to improve her obstetrics skills. The article also mentions the efforts of the Paged Initiative, an NGO advocating for the recognition and basic services for IDPs by government agencies.

A Nigerian developer’s app joins efforts to fight sexual crimes

The article discusses the launch of Helpio, an Android app developed by Sa’adat Aliyu to help combat sexual assault in northern Nigeria. The app allows victims to report cases anonymously and seek help from a network of counsellors, doctors, and legal representatives. The need for such a platform is underscored by the high rates of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) in the region, exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite government measures like the establishment of WARAKA-SARC and harsher penalties for sexual crimes, challenges remain due to limited resources and fear of stigmatization. Helpio aims to break cultural barriers and has gained the support of the federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. However, it faces challenges in user adoption and accessibility in remote areas with poor internet connectivity.