From BBC News World, September 4, 2013:

“Women around the world have achieved extraordinary things during the past century. But despite major steps forward in securing political, cultural and social rights, women everywhere face steep challenges compared to their male counterparts.

Throughout October our global network of correspondents will try to answer some [of the questions included in this article]. But we want to hear your stories as we go along.   Our season will close with a conference on Friday 25 October when 100 women from around the world – some high-profile, many less well-known – will join us at our London HQ for a day of debate and interaction.

The conference will be streamed online and broadcast live in English on BBC World News TV and World Service radio, as well as by many of our 27 global languages services.”

The article includes also important information the issue of female genital mutilation:  “More than 30 million girls are at risk of being subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) over the next decade.”

To see full article click here.

 PHOTO by Heinz Buls

The well known African singer from Mali, Oumou Sangare, is a sontrong feminist who usually “discusses the issues of marital choice and consent for African women, as well as the difficult topic of polygamy. She is a strong anti-FGM activist, and uses her fame to promote her strong views on women’s basic human rights.”

Sangare has been awarded many prizes among them, she ” was made a commander of the Arts and Letters of the Republic of France in 1998, won the UNESCO music prize in 2001, and was named an official ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2003. In addition, her 1993 album Ko Sira won the European award for “World Music Album of the Year.”

To see full article click here.

* Photos taken from Kimaniwawanjiru: Talking Culture and the Arts, September 4, 2013.