Africa

Bodo/Glimt 39;s fairytale Champions League run continued as Sporting were swept aside in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Norway. It was a fifth straight win for the minnows who, in their debut season in the competition proper, sneaked into the play-off round by finishing 23rd in the league phase.

A near pristine desert and coastal wilderness in Namibia could soon host a huge hydrogen production facility.

A near pristine desert and coastal wilderness in Namibia could soon host a huge hydrogen production facility.

Leo Brent Bozell apologises after weighing in on a dispute rooted in the country's apartheid past.

Witnesses say drone strikes hit a residential building frequently occupied by expatriates and aid workers in Goma.

Forecasters say storms are becoming more intense in the region, partly due to global warming.

Bellarmine Mugabe will negotiate a plea deal after being accused of attempted murder and other charges in South Africa.

Bellarmine Mugabe will negotiate a plea deal after being accused of attempted murder and other charges in South Africa.

Ce lundi soir, tous les partis conservateurs, nationalistes et souverainistes se sont alliés pour adopter en commission un règlement majeur visant à faciliter l’expulsion des clandestins.

Col Randrianirina, who seized power last year, did not give a reason for dissolving his government.

LE TOUR DE FRANCE DES MUNICIPALES - Un quart de siècle après avoir quitté l’hôtel de ville, la socialiste de 75 ans rêve d’en reprendre les clés à la maire sortante.

DÉCRYPTAGE - Le prétendant d’Horizons, qui doit décliner mardi ses mesures face au scandale du périscolaire, connaît une difficile fin de campagne. Accusé de « diviser la droite », il campe sur une ligne autonome vis-à-vis de Rachida Dati, avant un éventuel rapprochement avant le second tour.

En marge de la journée internationale des droits de la femme, célébrée le 8 mars de chaque année, le deuxième vice‑président de l’Assemblée nationale et autorité morale du parti Convention pour la République et la Démocratie (CRD), Christophe Mboso, a encouragé les femmes congolaises à s’autonomiser.

ENTRETIEN - La candidate de la droite et du centre est la mieux placée dans les sondages pour espérer battre son principal adversaire de gauche, Emmanuel Grégoire. «Ce ne sont pas les alliances d’appareil qui vont nous faire gagner», prévient-elle, appelant à «la responsabilité des électeurs».

Deux mille trente‑deux détenus, dont 91 femmes accompagnées de 14 nourrissons, sont incarcérés dans des conditions difficiles à la prison de Beni, au Nord‑Kivu.

Le Réseau pour les droits de l’homme (REDHO), une organisation basée dans la région, a livré ces statistiques dans son rapport de monitoring publié le 7 mars à Beni.

Au lendemain du derby lushois interrompu à la suite de tensions au stade de Kamalondo, le TP Mazembe et le FC Lupopo se rejettent mutuellement les responsabilités.

Dans des communiqués parvenus ce lundi 9 mars à Radio Okapi, les deux clubs, leaders du groupe A du championnat national (LINAFOOT), condamnent les actes de vandalisme enregistrés et disent attendre des sanctions des instances de football.

En plein mois de Ramadan, la province du Maniema, considérée comme le berceau de l’islam en République démocratique du Congo, vit au rythme du jeûne, de la prière et de la solidarité communautaire. Mais cette période n’est pas seulement spirituelle : elle représente aussi une véritable opportunité économique pour de nombreux petits commerçants de Kindu et d’ailleurs.

La coalition des Forces armées congolaises et ougandaises ont annoncé lundi 9 mars 2026 avoir détruit quatre bastions des rebelles des ADF et tué plusieurs de leurs éléments dans la localité d’Ekulungu en territoire de Mambasa (Ituri).

Four soldiers were injured but all are now in a stable condition, Ghana's army says.

By Anwarul K. Chowdhury
NEW YORK, Mar 9 2026 (IPS)

As we observe International Women’s Day (IWD) this year, the global community does so in a time of continuing turbulence, conflicts and uncertainty about the future of our planet.

Such moments remind us once again that women’s equality and empowerment are not only issues concerning women; those are relevant for humanity as a whole – for all of us. This crucial point needs to be internalized by every one of us.

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury

• This year’s International Women’s Day (March 8) was special as the United Nations would hopefully and appropriately elect a woman as its next Secretary-General.

• Let me underscore here an unacceptable reality: in its eighty years of existence, the United Nations has not yet elected a woman Secretary-General—eight decades, nine men, and not one woman. What an embarrassment – what a shame!

How can an institution that speaks of equality at every podium continue to model inequality at its pinnacle? The credibility of the UN’s advocacy depends on its own reflection in the mirror.

• A stark and undeniable reality of our world today is that patriarchy and misogyny continue to thrive as scourges pulling humanity away from our aspiration to live in a world of equality, peace and justice. No country in the world has reached full legal equality for women and girls.

• In many parts of the world, we are witnessing renewed attempts to undermine the hard-earned gains achieved through decades of advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality.

• Women’s organizations, feminist activists and women human rights defenders remain the courageous voices challenging discrimination and injustice. Their role is indispensable for advancing human dignity and human progress.

• My work has taken me to many parts of the world, and time and again I have seen the transformative impact of women’s leadership and participation in shaping peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.

We should always remember that without peace, development is impossible, and without development, peace is not achievable – but without women, neither peace nor development is conceivable.

The theme of IWD 2026 – “Rights, Justice, Action: For All Women and Girls” – is both timely and compelling. It reminds us that progress requires not only recognition of rights but also determined action to ensure justice and equality in practice.

Let me assert again that feminism is about smart policy which is inclusive, uses all potential and leaves no one behind.

I am proud to be a feminist. All of us need to be. That is how we make our planet a better place to live for all.

Let me also recall that in the year 2000 on this very day, as the President of Security Council, I had the honor of steering the pioneering statement by the whole Council leading to the conceptual and political breakthroughs paving the way for the consensus adoption of the UNSCR 1325 on 31 October 2000 under the Namibian Presidency.

On this IWD, let us renew our commitment to building a gender-equal world. Our individual actions, conversations and mindsets can transform our larger society.

Together we can make change happen!!!

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury is former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations; Initiator of the UNSCR 1325 as the President of the UN Security Council in March 2000; and Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace (GMCoP)

IPS UN Bureau

 

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