Gender-based violence can be directed against young girls and females from all cultures and socioeconomic classes—although the poor and dispossessed are more readily targeted. Women and young female children are targeted because they are the most vulnerable and powerless generally—especially in underdeveloped and conflict-ridden countries. In desperate situations of survival, female child soldiers may be […]
In Africa, it estimated that half the ranks of progovernment paramilitaries and rebel soldiers are recruited, or abducted, child soldiers, of which approximately half of which are girls, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (IRC), at the Second International Policy Conference on the African Child: Violence Against Girls in Africa (2006). In […]
Female child combatants are overlooked both in the media, as well as in the rehabilitation process. All too often, female child soldiers are also expected to perform sexual services for older male soldiers; in many countries of conflict, girls in armed forces are claimed by militia leaders as “wives.” The use of child soldiers in armed conflict […]
SparkAction!, a national youth news site, has just launched a unique open-source democracy contest. The contest coincides with the United States Department of Education’s (ED) Voices in Action: National Youth Summit, which will be held in Washington, D.C., on February 26, 2011. Summit registration filled up in 48 hours, but through the contest, young people […]
First lady to fight global obesity issues U.S. first lady Michelle Obama plans to take her fight against childhood obesity to an international audience over the next year. Obama has led her own “Let’s Move!” initiative in the U.S. to encourage healthier, more active lifestyles for American children. Kenya introduces pneumococcal vaccine Kenya is set […]
Have you been searching for the right movie(s) for family movie night? Then look no further to find out what movies have been nominated at the best movie pics for of 2010. The following ten movies are in the final running for the Crystal “Teddy Bear” Award for the Best Family Movie of 2010, as […]
Valentine’s Day is only a few more days away and that means one of two things for most people, flowers or chocolate! Sadly both of these romantic tokens are tainted by slavery and unfair labor practices. As I mentioned in my recent piece, Do Your Part to Have an Untainted Valentines, that UNICEF estimates that […]
Most cannot drive or vote, they often have adults scratching their heads to understand what it is they love so much about the music they blare from their rooms or how they can leave the house in that outfit, but these all too often misunderstood youths have power and influence. Yes, children and teens may […]
The U.S. is advised to give spare foreign aid for vaccines While much of the U.S. budget is facing cutbacks, the U.S. would be well-advised to preserve and even increase spending on vaccination efforts in developing countries — particularly in the battle against polio. UNITED STATES: Free text messages promote healthy pregnancies One year after […]
The New Year rang strong with natural disasters as there were a number of countries were hit with severe flooding across the globe. Brazil experienced the worst floods the country has witnessed in decades, leaving more than 800 dead and 15,000 homeless. Flooding submerged the entire eastern region of Sri Lanka affecting more than 1 […]
In Afghanistan the use of child soldiers has been prevalent throughout the country’s previous history of conflict and the current insurgency. Children have knowingly been recruited by various armed groups, most notably the Taliban, which have reportedly had voluntary recruitment, as well as used force to recruit children into their forces. The Taliban active use […]
The big day of love is quickly approaching and while millions are searching for that perfect gift to show their loved one’s how much they care. Love is universal and many are looking forward to seeing the warmth of love expressed via sweet sentiments in a card, a bouquet of flowers, a heart shaped boxes […]
Study: Drugs prevents HIV spread to babies Antiviral triple therapy, usually reserved for patients with highly progressed HIV/AIDS, can help stem the transmission of the virus from pregnant women to their babies, according to a study published in The Lancet. All of the women who participated in the study had HIV, but none had progressed […]
It is without a doubt that mothers will do anything for their children and that when they fear their children’s future and safety are at stake they will risk just about anything. But should a mother go to jail for trying to ensure that her children’s safety and education are preserved? That is exactly what […]
This week found myself in a bit of a winter storm which took my power and left me unable to accomplish much work, not to mention that I found myself burring my food in the snow, piling on the blankets and reading by candle light. In many ways it was kind of relaxing to have […]