I spent the other day watching a couple illuminating shows on the price of gold. The first was on Fort Knox and America’s precious national treasure and the second was a historical documentary on gold mining from pre-gold rush until today. It is well known that gold can come at …
Reforming Afghanistan’s orphanages
Afghanistan’s new national director for orphanages, Sayyid Abdullah Hashemi, has been conducting inspections of the country’s provincial children’s homes in an effort to root out corruption by local officials, who often siphon off not only the $1.50 that is allocated daily per …
I have a love-hate relationship with Awareness Days. First, I do think they are needed to help promote awareness and educate society on various heath causes and human rights issues. Many such days make headlines thanks to political pushes and great community support, while others with little political power and international appeal …
Children in Somalia continue to suffer needlessly from hunger as politics hinder the much needed distribution of food aid. In Somalia, it is women and children who bear the brunt of the famine. Children are susceptible to malnutrition that decreases their ability to fight off disease, while women are unable to …
In December’s post, Expectant American Mothers Help Raise Funds for Mothers in Developing Nations, the Imagine Me & You contest finalists had been announced. The Million Moms Challenge has now chosen a winner from its photo contest, in which hundreds of expectant mothers from across …
It’s February and love is in the air… Valentine’s day is just around the corner and many millions are looking for that perfect gift to show how they feel for their special someone. It is clear that much of the day’s meaning is lost to heavy commercialization. This year, American’s alone are expected …
As I mentioned in my recent post, Decreasing Child Labor in 2012, child labor continues to hold some 215 million children in its firm grasp. While the fight to this practice has received increased attention, it is a long and hard battle. One of the largest and …
One of the biggest priorities in 2012 is to decrease child labor. According to the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) most recent global estimate, 215 million children worldwide are involved in child labor.
On the positive side, the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) latest 2010 global report,
The right to life is unquestionably one of the biggest human rights debates in the United States. Some argue there is never an acceptable reason for the termination of a pregnancy, others will allow it in the case of a medical emergency or to save the life of the mother, …
Pakistan struggles to make progress against polio
Child malnutrition and vaccination refusals are hindering Pakistan’s effort to battle polio, and the health community is seeking new ways to address the problem. Despite authorities’ backing for an ambitious vaccination program last year, the number of cases in 2011 actually …
“Alarming malnutrition” in Sudan conflict zones: UN
Malnutrition is stalking civilian populations in conflict zones inside the Sudan and Sudanese authorities should end restrictions on United Nations’ staff ability to travel to the affected areas, says UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos. Clashes between Sudanese security forces …
Today is National Global Human Trafficking Awareness Day (NGHTAD), a a day of awareness and vigilance for the countless victims of human trafficking across the globe. Yet President Obama announced that this year, and every year hence forth, January will be known as National Slavery …
Over the past few years I have written a number of posts on the issue of gender-based discrimination resulting in infanticide, especially regarding the heartbreaking case of India’s alarming rate of ‘missing girls’. As mentioned in my posts Indian Infanticide Causing A Population Imbalance,
Vietnam aims to improve minority education
With the support of aid agencies like UNICEF, Vietnamese authorities are working to provide primary education in minority languages as part of an effort to promote development and economic growth. Vietnam has 53 ethnic minorities that constitute 13% of the overall population and …
This holiday season I find myself daunted by how to help children in need. Looking at my End of Year Review, there is so much that we need to do to meet the needs of children across the globe and here at home. However, regardless of …
