#MeToo Movement On The Hunt To Find And Punish Sexual Predators In Namibia
When Namibian activist Venicia Shanjenka first saw the tweet naming and shaming a rapist in the tiny southern African country of 2.5 million, she thought it was a brave but isolated act. But one tweet turned into hundreds, and #MeTooNamibia erupted into a growing movement backed by the first lady, Monica Geingos, that is using social media […]
What Happens When We Protest – #MeToo in Northern Nigeria
Last November, I went to the police headquarters in Niger state to seek approval for a protest. The rally for which I hoped to get formal permission and security was against sexual and gender-based violence. It had been convened by social development worker Fakhrriyyah Hashim and coordinated by writer Hassana Maina who, a few months […]
Setback For Tunisia’s #Metoo Movement As New MP Gets Immunity
A Tunisian politician accused of sexual harassment gained legal immunity on Wednesday when he was sworn in as a new member of the national parliament, in a setback for the country’s burgeoning #MeToo movement. Zouheir Makhlouf faces possible charges of sexual harassment and public indecency after a 19-year-old student posted photos on social media purportedly […]
The Struggles Of Sudanese Women – Acts Of Violence, Abuse
Sudan stands alone as it protests thirty years of oppression. And yet so much of its struggle resonates across Africa and the world. Sudan struggles alone. The government’s reaction to nationwide protests has been brutal. The uprising began on 19 December and continues to pick up numbers and energy over a month later. So far, […]
There Should Be No Room For Complacency On Gender Equity
It would be very easy for an empowered man like me to play it safe in relation to gender issues; restrain my natural verve and passion; stand back instead of up and out; take no risks and excuse my inaction by saying that women have now “got it” in relation to gender-based violence, abuse, inequity […]
The Conversation Should Involve Men : Men Too Should Stop Sexual Harassment
In a recent blog post, I talked about sexual harassment in the workplace. In it, I mentioned that the issues brought to light by the #MeToo movement – which originated in the entertainment industry – are not new: back in 1953, at the young age of 27, Marilyn Monroe wrote a cover story for MotionPicture and Television […]
Making Mentorship A Force For Female Independence And Empowerment
Studies show that people with mentors are more likely to get promoted in the workplace. But currently, a large chasm remains between the number of women beginning on the professional track and the number advancing all the way through to senior positions. So the question remains, “how do we promote more women?” And it’s an important […]
#Happiness Day : Listening To The Voices Of The Women On The Street
Like many women, I am heartened by the Me Too movement and the spotlight it has put on sexual assault and harassment. It makes me want to fight harder to tell the stories of those whose voices are still going unheard ― especially those of women experiencing homelessness. As a sociologist who studies food insecurity, I […]
Why Do Women Get All Attractive If They Don’t Want to be Harassed? Glad You Asked.
A man named Steve emails me every now and then to take issue with something I’ve written. He checked in a few weeks ago after I wrote about the #MeToo movement, which was inspired by sexual harassment and assault allegations against Harvey Weinstein. “The core question you should be asking, Heidi,” he wrote, “is: Why do […]
Maryam: 
Iyanuoluwa Isinkaye: 