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Development Debates

A series of guest blogs from the leading voices in aid and poverty reduction. Please note, the views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of DFID or have the support of the British Government.

Collaboration and empowerment: together we can end FGM in a generation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a human rights abuse. The practice seriously damages the physical and mental health of women and girls around the world, and can even cause death. When I began my African Well Woman’s Clinic at Guy’s …

The changing face of Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya

Children in class in one of the schools in Kuria on the Kenyan-Tanzanian border where FGM is rampant. Picture: Judy Kosgei

I called her today, the phone rang twice and she picked it up the third time. Like always the conversation started with: “How are you?” The 44-year-old calmly answered my call. “I am well, just calling to say hi,” I reply …

Violence against women is the most tolerated violation of human rights that exists in the world today - it needs to stop

Picture: Tearfund, DRC

As the world celebrates Human Rights Day, Rachel Jewkes, Director of the What Works to Prevent Violence Global Programme, and Director of the South African Medical Research Council’s Gender and Health Research Unit unveils 18 innovations that are working to …

Random acts of violence: women and girls take the hit

A young Somali woman hides herself behind a curtain. Picture: Sven Torfinn/Panos

When I was travelling in Kenya recently, I had a graphic reminder that gender-based violence and HIV is right there in front of us in many African countries; we just don’t all notice it all the time. I went through …

A better future for Rwanda's youth - how Sport Relief is changing lives

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Africa, Development Debates, Economic Development
Caroline planting watermelon seeds with members of the farming cooperative. Picture: Sam Faulkner/Comic Relief

In 1994, a brutal genocide ripped Rwanda apart, robbing people of their families and loved ones. 800,000 people were killed in 100 days, and lives were destroyed. Twenty years later, Rwanda is healing from this tragedy but there’s still a …

Bringing hope to the children of Haiti – How Soccer Aid Changes Lives

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development Debates, Haiti, Health, Nutrition

With the Formula One season in full flow, you could be forgiven for thinking that my life at the moment is focused on non-stop training, qualifying and racing. It’s often difficult to find time for anything else, but earlier this …

Fashioning change: from the factory floor to the high street

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Development Debates, Economic Development
The mother of 18 year old Aleyais cries and holds a picture of her daughter who is believed to be among the victims of the collapse of the Rana Plaza complex in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka.

I put my book down and went to make another cup of tea. I never thought that those few steps to the kitchen would be the start of a journey towards creating a sustainable online fashion store called VV Vintage. …

International Women’s Day: getting women’s voices heard in Afghanistan

Open Jirga audience members - a special episode of Afghanistan’s TV and radio debate show Open Jirga was devoted to women’s role in the upcoming presidential election.

"In a society where woman can’t even choose her own life partner, how can she choose her own leader?" It was a question that left the whole room stunned at a recent recording of Afghanistan's TV and radio debate show …