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The time is now to prevent a man-made famine in South Sudan

Lynne Featherstone meeting a young mother and child in Ganyiel, South Sudan. Picture David Shaw/DFID

I can clearly remember my first overseas visit as a DFID minister. It was just under 2 years ago, in October 2012. I was struck by the optimism and hope that filled the air of this new and ambitious country. …

Community networks changing lives in Mozambique

Lynne Featherstone meets star seller of health products. Picture: Julia Smith/DFID

It always strikes me on my visits to Africa how imaginatively people use their mobile phones. Mobiles are not just for calls, texts or browsing the internet. Instead they are used to transfer money, like I saw on my last …

One billion rise to tackle violence against girls and women on V Day

International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone believes FGM/C can end in a generation if we work together. Picture: DFID

I wanted to take the opportunity of V-Day, a day on which girls and women around the world will rise up to challenge the violence perpetrated on them, to update you on my priorities as Ministerial Champion for the elimination …

An African-led movement for change

23- year-old Adjura, who was cut when she was a child, had a reversal operation in 2009. Picture: Jessica Lea/DFID

What do you get when you combine a vibrant First Lady, a country in which most women have undergone female genital mutilation and many are facing health problems and complications in pregnancy, and funding from donor countries to support a …

Positive news from Burkina Faso on the work to end FGM/C

Girls from the Zitenga region. Their community has abandoned FGM/C as a result of the UK aided supported UN Joint Programme. Picture: Lindsay Mgbor/DFID

Today I am in Ziniaré, a village that has abandoned female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C). While 76% of girls and women from 15 to 49 years old in Burkina Faso have undergone the practice, only 9% of Burkinabés, men …

Sierra Leone: A helping hand on the road to recovery

To enter Freetown from its airport, boating across the river is your best option. The view of Freetown as the sun sets over the water is breathtaking, but one sadly seldom enjoyed by many from outside the country. Certainly from …