ARCHIVES- MY VISIT TO THE LINS FAMILY AND WIN TEAM -RHODE ISLAND

Picture show Enie Cecile being interviewed
by Gloria Smith Russell of the Westerly Sun Newspaper.

The interview was captioned 'AWARD WINNER MEETS WIN TEAM' and was published front page on Wednesday, December 26, 2007.

Gloria is a true journalism 'pioneer'. she was the first - ever female news reporter for THE SUN, covering the town of Westerly in the 1960s.
At the time of the interview she was 80 years, with a career of more than 40 years.

In 2003, she was named to the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame and in 2006, Gloria was named Rhode Islands Outstanding Older Worker in a program coordinated by local, state and national Chambers of Commence, and she was rightly saluted for showing- each and every day- what older workers can contribute to the American Workforce.





THE LIVING ROOM AT THE HOME OF THE LINS FAMILY








FROM LEFT TO RIGHT- ALEX, Mr JASON LIN
CECILE ENIE, MRS LIN AND DAUGHETR

ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS

THE CLIMATE CHANGE FIGHT: YOUTHS AND NGOs GET INVOLVE


Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty – The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to consider what can be done to reduce global warming and to cope with whatever temperature increases which are inevitable.

According to the Earth Day Network, the US nation elections focus on the issue while public awareness about the perils of climate change is growing everyday, Earth Day 2008 was viewed as one of the largest and most important. Quoting Al Gore, former US Vice President - “We are in a planetary emergency, an 'emergency' that demands bold and courageous action”.






CECILE ENIE MEETING WITH
(WIN) TEAM IN RHODE ISLAND- USA







Earth Day Network had a bold plan for the month of April and Earth day 2008. Over a billion people worldwide convened at events in communities, schools, parks and churches from Beijing, China to Tokyo Japan, Sao Paulo, Brazil to the National Mall in Washington DC to let their local and national governments know they can no longer wait for action on global warming.

The UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Yvo De Boer mentioned during the 2007 Climate Change Conference, Bali – Indonesia, that “This is a real breakthrough, a real opportunity for international communities to successfully fight climate change”.
“Parties have recognized the urgency of action on climate change and have now provided the political response to what Scientists have been telling us is needed.”

WIN TEAM AT WORK

Al Gore in Bali 2007 calling for a Visionary Treaty stated that” The worlds election leaders must take steps necessary to solve global warming, it's not too late, we have the opportunity now to improve the earths future for our children and their children. If we don't act, we will have ourselves to blame.

Mr Achime Steiner the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment program (UNEP), expressed concern over the e-waste problem during the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Trans boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal in December 2006.

In Rhode Island America, Alex Lin and his friends – Nanci Flore- Chettiar, Kelsey Clough, Jeffrey Brodie and Bobby Laudone with Jason Lin as Coach from research discovered that information technology has become the fastest growing industry in the world. The rapid updating of hi -tech equipments has generated about 50 million tons of electronic waste annually.

Electronic waste or 'E-WASTE' consist of discarded consumer electronics which contain hazardous heavy metals and chemicals. 85% of discarded television and computers or other electronics when dumped in to landfills or improperly disposed of, the chemicals inside like Lead, Mercury and Cadmium, will leak into the air and water thereby devastate the environment causing irreversible effects on human life.

GROUP PHOTO








The Westerly Innovation Network (WIN) as the team is known was founded in 2003. They have established an Electronic Waste Management System and have recycled over 40 tons or 80,000 pounds of e-waste.

According to the Basel Action Network (BAN), 75% of used computers exported to Africa are junk and creating serious health treat and environmental contamination. Thus, the WIN came up with a step by step approach on efficiently reuse electronics to bridge the digital divide without impacting the environment.

WIN has given more than 300 refurbished computers, installed with educational software to students in need since 2004. Countries out of the US that have benefited from their benevolence are Sri Lanka, Mexico and Cameroon.
Alex testified before the Rhode Island Senate convincing then to pass an e-waste law in July 2006.

WIN has received numerous national and international awards and have participated in Environmental conferences especially the United Nations Environmental Programs for Youths. The most recent award is 'The Brick Awards 2007, DORITOS recognized those who do something'.

To re-enforce their mission globally, WIN is establishing a WIN TEAM NETWORK with the help of local NGO'S. The NGO WIN has already worked with is - Association Femme Soliel D'Haiti/ Cameroun (AFASDACAM) . The WIN Team invited Enie Cecile to Rhode Island in December 2007.

By Enie Ndoh Cecile

ARCHIVES - AFASDACAM

Meeting convened by Enie Ndoh Cecile as Branch Representative of the Organization - Association Femme Soliel D’Haiti / Cameroun (AFASDACAM) a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) with headquarters in Haiti.

The mission of the NGO is Working with Women and helping them to make reflections and actions for a more equitable society with the dynamic participation of the Women.


The groups photograph from left to right - the Chief Educator of the Borstal Institute- Engilbert Kuako, The Assistant Treasurer – Silo Sama, AFASDACAM Coordinator/ Branch Representative - Enie Cecile, The Secretary – Andjongo Majorie, The Treasurer – Molua Doris, Rosemary Olive Mbone Enie the founder of CAMVISION TRUST and President of Women International Coalition Organization (WICO), Ryan and Kathy- the Americans.















Picture during deliberations.

The outcome of this meaning is an ICT (Information Communication Technology) centre at Borstal Institute. This was made possible by the Americans; Kathy Knight and Ryan Scott Halderman who traveled to Cameroon as volunteers of CAMVISION TRUST. They got interested with the concept and ideology of AFASDACAM.


To this end, we visited three Orphanages and the Juvenile Delinquency Center - Borstal Institute in Buea. After examining the problems of the orphans and juvenile delinquents, we decided to act. As a result, they donated gift of clothes and balls with the collaboration of their family members who visited Cameroon during the Xmas vacation in 2006.

The set up of Borstal Institute is to run vocational training schemes along side behavioral modification. These programs are not functional. In this wise, AFASDACAM in collaboration with the authorities of Borstal Institute and the Americans had a meeting to see where they could assist. The Americans then decided on the ICT center for computer training and cyber café to train inmates in computer skills and also as a means for the centre to generate income for the sustainability of the project. The project was worth six million (6.000.000) FCFA.

Ryan also carried out sports activities and taught in the Juvenile Delinquency Center and some primary schools in Buea.

ARCHIVES

Press Release

Population Institute Names 2007 Global Media Award Winners

October 24, 2007 - 3:34 PM CDT

Population Institute Names 2007 Global Media Award Winners WASHINGTON – A U.S. Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, a television news reporter from the Philippines and a radio show host from Cameroon are among the 12 recipients of the Population Institute’s 2007 Global Media Awards for Excellence in Population Reporting. The awards will be presented December 5 at a ceremony in the Rayburn House of Representatives Office Building here.

Joel Pett, an editorial cartoonist who has been with the Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader since 1984, will be recognized for a number of his cartoons on population issues that have appeared in hundreds of U.S. newspapers and magazines,

MelClaire Sy Delfin, a television reporter with the Philippines’ GMA Network, Inc., has won in the Best Individual Reporting category, for two in-depth investigative reports, "The Forbidden Games Filipino Children Play" and "When Wells Run Dry: A Tragedy Looming Large."

Enie Cecile of Cameroon will receive the Best Electronic Commentary award for her show, "Social Forum," which raises awareness of a wide range of population and environmental issues including protecting the rights of indigenous people, exploration for potable water and ozone depletion.

Newsweek magazine science columnist Sharon Begley will be honored for Best Population/Environmental Reporting Effort for her article, "Global Warming Deniers: A Well-Funded Machine," which appeared in the August 6, 2007 edition of the magazine. Her report underscores the preponderance of scientific evidence that human activity is the primary catalyst behind global warming.

"Youth Alert! Real Man/Real Woman," a music video special produced by the Behavior Change Communication (BCC) program of Malawi, is the winner in the Best Combined Media Effort category. The winning entry was launched as a mass media and interpersonal communications campaign to encourage Malawian youth to delay their sexual debut. BCC is operated by Population Services International and core funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Jim Motavalli, editor of the national environmental bimonthly, E Magazine, will receive the Best Magazine Article award for his comprehensive report showing that falling birth rates are not universal and that, while declining in industrialized countries, they remain high in many countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Inter Press Service (IPS), headquartered in Rome, Italy, will be cited as the Most Conscientious News Service for its news and analyses of events and global processes affecting the economic, social and political development of people and nations, including the consequences of high fertility in the world’s poorest countries.

RH Reality Check will receive the Best Electronic Forum award for its commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. The web site is an easily accessible on line resource for evidence-based information, provocative commentary and interactive dialogue on these issues.

Ben Merens, host of the Wisconsin Public Radio Ideas Network program, "At Issue with Ben Merens," will be recognized for the Best Radio Talk Show. The program is dedicated to in-depth examinations of current events and hard news through interviews with expert guests, policymakers, commentators and authors.

The Best Editorial Support award will be presented to The Sun of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for its support of population, environmental and development issues. An example is the April 18, 2007 editorial, "War against poverty shows some successes," which convincingly links overwhelming poverty in the southern hemisphere with rapid population.

Dr. Richard Grossman, a Colorado gynecologist and columnist for the Durango Herald, has been named Best Columnist for his provocative long-running "Population Matters" columns. His column, "Effects of poverty create the most haunting images of India," recounting his personal realization of the connection between leprosy and poverty is illustrative of his efforts to bring development and population issues to the attention of his readers.

The Population Media Center of Shelburne, Vermont, will be recognized as the Best Electronic Communications Service for its original entertainment-education television and radio dramas, featuring family planning, gender equality and reproductive health issues."These Global Media Award recipients have helped to create public awareness of population issues through their dedicated efforts," said Lawrence Smith, Jr., president of the Population Institute. "We are hoping that these awards will direct much-needed attention to the importance of reducing rapid human growth and achieving a world population in balance with a healthy global environment."

The Population Institute is an international, educational, non-profit organization that seeks to voluntarily reduce excessive population growth, through universal access to family planning information, education and services. Established in 1969, the Institute, with members in 172 countries is headquartered on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Funding for the Population Institute comes from foundations, corporations and individual gifts. The Institute does not seek or receive financial support from the U.S. government.

ARCHIVES

ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND SECURITY PROGRAM

The Population Institute's 28th Annual Global Media Awards


December 05 2007, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The winners of the 2007 Global Media Awards for Excellence in Population Reporting:

Melclaire Sy Delfin (GMA Network)

Enie Ndoh Cecile (Social Forum)

Victor Billy Gama (Population Services International/Malawi)

Bill Ryerson (Population Media Center)

Jim Motavalli (E/The Environmental Magazine)

Mithre Sandrasagra (Inter Press Service)

Emily Douglas (RH Reality Check)

Ben Merens (Wisconsin Public Radio)

Don Cayo (Vancouver Sun)

Richard Grossman (The Durango Herald)

Joel Pett (Lexington Herald-Leader)

and

Scott Radloff, Director, Office of Population and Reproductive Health,
U.S. Agency for International Development

Lawrence Smith, President, Population Institute

Gib Clarke, Program Associate, Environmental Change and Security Program

“Global Media Award recipients have helped to create public awareness of population issues through their dedicated efforts,” said Lawrence Smith, president of the Population Institute (PI). The winners of PI’s 2007 Global Media Awards—including individual journalists and development practitioners from Cameroon, Malawi, and the Philippines, as well as media outlets such as Inter Press Service, E/The Environmental Magazine, and the Vancouver Sun—gathered at the Woodrow Wilson Center on December 5, 2007, to discuss their winning projects with fellow awardees. “We are hoping that these awards will direct much-needed attention to the importance of reducing rapid human growth and achieving a world population in balance with a healthy global environment,” said Smith. ECSP hosted last year’s winners, which included the Environmental Change and Security Program Report, in December 2006.Winners’ PresentationsThe awardees gave brief presentations outlining the challenges and rewards associated with their winning projects—and with covering population issues in general.








Melclaire Sy Delfin, a television reporter with the Philippines’ GMA Network and its U.S. affiliate GMA Pinoy TV, accepted the Best Individual Reporting Effort award for two stories on what she said were “population issues, but not regarded as such by the media.” “When Wells Run Dry: A Tragedy Looming Large” warns that the Philippines’ population growth is outpacing efforts to increase access to water. To read more about Delfin's report and the problem of water scarcity in the Philippines, click here. “The Forbidden Games Filipino Children Play” highlights the lack of sex education in the Philippines. Delfin’s editors refused to broadcast this story on television, but they eventually agreed to print it. “I just wanted to give Filipinos a better choice” over matters like family planning and reproductive health, said Delfin. The birth of her first child spurred her interest in population issues, which led her to report on the environment, as well: “Even if I don’t concentrate on environmental issues, it still creeps in.” Click here to listen to Delfin speak about her winning stories.


Enie Ndoh Cecile of Cameroon won the Best Electronic Commentary award for her radio show “Social Forum,” which covers issues including environmental degradation, human rights, health, and women’s empowerment. Cameroon is blessed with abundant natural resources, but the majority of its 17 million people suffer economic hardships, which Enie blamed on the state’s lack of planning for the needs of its growing population. She called on the government to release census data and carry out population projections, and said that the “media has a vital role to play” in curbing the population crisis by bridging the gap between the government and the public—for instance, by disseminating information about family planning, safe sex, and reducing environmental impacts.


Victor Billy Gama, program manager for Youth Alert!, an initiative run by Population Services International (PSI)/Malawi that seeks to reduce HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unplanned pregnancies among young people, accepted the Best Combined Media Effort on Behalf of Population award. The winning project, the Real Man/Real Woman Campaign, encouraged young people to delay engaging in sexual intercourse by sending the message that other activities—such as education—can also make an individual a “real man” or a “real woman.” The campaign held a televised nation-wide song contest—similar to “American Idol”—and music videos of the six winning songs were compiled on DVDs. Teams with video equipment traveled to rural areas to show students and communities these DVDs. This “edutainment” approach has been extremely popular among young Malawians: “The Ministry of Education tolerates us, and the youth love it,” said Andrew Miller of PSI/Malawi.


Bill Ryerson accepted the Best Electronic Communications Service award on behalf of the Population Media Center (PMC), which he directs. The Vermont-based nonprofit produces original, long-running television and radio dramas that entertain viewers while educating them about family planning, reproductive health, and gender equality. These programs are very popular: Half of all Ethiopian adults reported regularly listening to PMC’s radio serial dramas, “Yeken Kignit” and “Dhimbiba,” which were broadcast between 2002 and 2004. In 2004, 63 percent of new clients seeking reproductive health services at 48 Ethiopian health clinics reported having seen or heard a PMC program, and 26 percent of new clients named a PMC program as the primary reason they had sought services. PMC has also trained journalists and producers in 15 countries to produce these kinds of programs, using its guide "Soap Operas for Social Change to Prevent HIV/AIDS: A Training Guide for Journalists and Media Personnel."




Jim Motavalli, editor of E/The Environmental Magazine, received the award for Best Magazine Article for “Shaking the Baby Tree,” which shows that falling birth rates are largely confined to developed countries, and that overall, the world continues to face unsustainably high population growth. Motavalli said that although rapid population growth is often a primary contributor to poverty and environmental degradation, it is frequently the “unspoken component—the one that doesn’t get mentioned”—particularly by environmentalists. Click here to listen to Motavalli discuss his winning article.


Mithre Sandrasagra accepted the Most Conscientious News Service award on behalf of Inter Press Service (IPS). The Rome-based news agency was founded 40 years ago and focuses on the issues facing developing nations, including health, population, economic development, education, and the environment. “All themes have vital population dimensions,” said Sandrasagra, an associate editor and UN correspondent for IPS, who also noted that 70 percent of IPS reporters live in developing countries.

Emily Douglas accepted the Best Electronic Forum award on behalf of RH Reality Check, where she is an assistant editor. Approaching population issues from a reproductive rights viewpoint, RH Reality Check includes a mix of breaking news and in-depth reporting on reproductive health issues, explained Douglas, and covers both domestic and international developments, including perspectives from Zimbabwe, Thailand, Kenya, Chile, Jamaica, and the Philippines. In addition, the site features a lively blog, policy backgrounders on U.S. and international reproductive health policies, and issue briefs on key reproductive rights issues.



Ben Merens received the Best Radio Talk Show award for his two-hour, call-in show “At Issue With Ben Merens,” which runs weekdays on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Ideas Network and features experts, policymakers, and authors, including Thomas Homer-Dixon, Lawrence Smith, and William Easterly on population and development. Merens said he strives to show residents of small towns in Wisconsin how global issues affect them: “Understanding what’s going on in Africa is as important as understanding what’s going on in Milwaukee to somebody who lives in Wisconsin.”



Don Cayo accepted the Best Editorial Support award on behalf of The Vancouver Sun. The British Columbia newspaper was recognized for its consistent editorial attention to population, development, and environment issues. For instance, “War against poverty shows some successes,” which ran on April 18, 2007, highlighted the connections between high population growth and poverty in the Global South.
Richard Grossman, a Colorado gynecologist, won the Best Columnist award for “Population Matters,” his long-running column for The Durango Herald. Grossman writes about family planning, reproductive health, and environmental issues linked to population, such as global climate and biodiversity. “The pen is mightier than the speculum,” he quipped, explaining that he can reach a far larger audience through his columns than by seeing patients one at a time.





Joel Pett won the Best Cartoonist award for his work with the Lexington Herald-Leader. Pulitzer Prize-winner Pett was recognized for numerous population-related cartoons that have been syndicated in newspapers around the country. Pett gave his fellow awardees a glimpse of what goes on behind the drawing board, whipping up several cartoons of U.S. presidents on an easel.



Sharon Begley of Newsweek, who was not in attendance, received the Best Population/Environmental Reporting Effort award for “Global Warming Deniers: A Well-Funded Machine,” a cover story that examined the financing behind prominent climate change skeptics.

Briefings on USAID; Population, Health, and Environment (PHE)

“In our health field, we always say that we don’t fund problems, we fund solutions to problems, and what makes family planning…unique, I think, is that it’s the solution to a whole array of problems, and I think that the media award-winners around the table…have captured that,” said Scott Radloff, director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Population and Reproductive Health. He stressed that family planning and reproductive health programs have positive impacts on many measures of well-being, including maternal and child health, women’s education, the environment, and even state stability. However, “there is a high percentage of women in developing countries that do not have access to family planning,” said Radloff, and his office strives to address this deficit.

Radloff explained that USAID is in the process of “graduating” developing countries with high, stable levels of family planning use out of USAID family planning funding. This transition enables USAID to shift more of its $440 million annual family planning budget to areas with higher need—particularly Africa and South and Southeast Asia.

Radloff highlighted the important relationship between population and the environment: Population growth is “going to be more problematic in some countries more than others, depending on natural resource issues, for instance. There are a lot of countries that are already facing water issues, for example, or deforestation,” said Radloff. He added that in calculating where to direct programming funds, USAID considers the role of natural resources: “We give higher priority, then, to countries where there’s greater population pressures on resources” such as water and arable land.

USAID’s Office of Population and Reproductive health also addresses population-environment links through its Population-Health-Environment (PHE) initiative, which supports integrated PHE programs in areas with high biodiversity. “For instance, there’s an activity that focuses on the buffer areas surrounding the forest core in Madagascar,” said Radloff. “And we have similar programs in Nepal, in Kenya, in Guatemala.” USAID has developed a free online course (registration required) on the basics of PHE programs.

Drawing upon a presentation developed by Lori Hunter of the University of Colorado, Boulder, ECSP Program Associate Gib Clarke gave a brief overview of PHE programs, which maximize the benefits of family planning by combining these services with others that help communities lift themselves out of poverty.

By Rachel Weisshaar Edited by Meaghan Parker

POLITICAL FOCUS

The Despicable Aspects of Biya's Regime
By Cecile Ndoh Enie

"There is no place like home”. A critical look at Cameroon today, I fear if this statement still holds.Cameroon is Africa in miniature, blessed with abundance of natural resources, gifted with the most favourable climatic conditions, yet majority of the people live in abject poverty and deplorable conditions.

After late Amadou Ahijo long term reign many longed for a change, hardly did they know the purported propaganda of ‘Rigour and Moralization’ was a mere sham. Just as they say, ‘ from fry pan to fire’.Citing our petroleum sector, where our neigbours Nigeria the African giant enjoyed an economic boom and Equatorial Guinea under the leadership of Obiang Nguema for about forty years, the exploitation of their petroleum sector can be perceived considering the new face-lift of this country.Whereas, the citizens of Cameroon are yet to pinpoint where the dividends of our petroleum sector goes, for there is absolutely little or nothing to show as benefits.

The beginning of Biya’s reign started with Economic Crisis and Multi-party politics igniting uproar within the nation. Today ,bribery and corruption, inflation, exploitation and subordination are the order of the day.The most outrageous is the economic situation of Cameroon. Unemployment level is rocketing, some of the employed are yet to be paid or receive just a token vis-à-vis their qualification or working hours in the name of earnings.To make matters worse, the private sector which is supposed to assist the public sector in creating employment is being levied what many describe as uncompromising tax rates ,this way drowning most feasible business projects.The most awful is the small- and medium -sized businesses, which in other systems are limited in tax payments, but on the contrary in Cameroon, they are instead subjected to pay multiple taxes without an actual fixed value. While the so called ‘Big Guns’ under the guise of CPDM top Disciples are exempted from paying taxes or should I say exempted from taxes; so they enjoy what can be termed – Tax Free Economy.

On a more serous note, this unprogressive taxing system has hampered many business and investment initiative. The situation is not only unfavourable for the indigenes but equally to potential foreign investors. Many Cameroonians living abroad have tried to invest back home, to help create unemployment opportunities . But the procedure to establish and then the taxes involve beginning from excessive custom charges have turned many off, especially those who want to be straight. As a result, most of our citizens especially the youths have decided to stay on while many are planning to travel out in search for greener pasture, since they are not comfortable with the situation back home.

Every damn thing is just ridiculous, the civil service, healthcare, education, agriculture, poor road infrastructure, utilities and the list continues.Unfortunately some people opt to eat and drink today forgetting tomorrow, so during political campaigns those sitting on the economic vault throw away money as if they are feeding pigeons in the parks.

Today we are all complaining of the increased prices of basic commodities . I remember back home with the tricky CPDM victory celebrations in Buea and in a taxi a lady dressed in CPDM attire was very happy. With the present situation now in Cameroon the words of the cab driver comes back to me today. ‘Be happy now, but tomorrow we shall all go to the same market, because when prices are increased there is no specific market reserved for CPDM Militants.’

To the Cameroon government the word maintenance or renovation is far-fetched. Thus, official buildings are erected the structure usual below the cost value. And within a few years these administrative buildings with big titles looks dilapidated.

Money circulates regularly within the elitist ruling class and I guess they really cannot fathom what the common man goes through since their children study abroad and they spend their holidays abroad and enjoy the comforts they cannot enjoy in their own country.

I ponder what stops them from developing their own country and make life comfortable for all. The rural sector slaves to farm and provide food with little or no incentive. The tax collectors ignore the bad roads to collect taxes from these people; meanwhile the living conditions in these rural areas are pathetic – no proper sanitary, educational facilities, poor water supply and no power supply. Yet each day there is fuel increase, I always imagine how those in the rural area cope, since they need constant supply of kerosene to light their lanterns.

Cameroonians are known to be hospitable, patient, tolerant, but I guess enough is enough, when people are pushed to the wall at a certain point they are bound to react. Some people say those causing unrest are fools but I ask what caused them to be such. If those who graduate cannot get jobs what is going to spur youths to be educated. Considering that to be educated stipulates to live a better life.

Again a wise saying states ‘ ‘ a hungry man is an angry man’. Since Paul Biya got to power in 1982 and 1985 to present day, with the CPDM anniversary celebrated yearly, what have been the achievements, what maturity has the party exhibited and if I may ask what has Biya’s regime to Show?

A Cameroonian in the investment market in the US remarked, ‘If the Government of Cameroon could invest properly those at the top would even have more funds to siphone"

MULTI-PURPOSE USE OF MAIN WATER SOURCE

AN OVERVIEW OF GLOBAL WATER AND SANITATION CRISES

By Enie Ndoh Cecile

Water is essential for life. Between seventy and seventy- five percent (70-75 %) of the earth surface is covered with water and roughly seventy percent (70%) of the human body is made up of water. Water is not only a utility, it is a human right as declared on November 26, 2002 due to registering concern over the continuing contamination, depletion and unequal distribution of water resources.
The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights meeting in Geneva on November 26, 2002 issued a declaration stating that access to water is a human right and that water is a public commodity fundamental to life and health. The declaration, adopted by the Committee as a “General Comment”, also stipulates that water, like health, is an essential element for achieving other human rights, especially the rights to adequate food and nutrition, housing and education.

Unfortunately, water being essential for life is equally responsible for high mortality rates, hence a global cause for concern. Going by environmental facts, water pollution, unsafe water, poor sanitation and unhygienic environment causes millions of people to die or suffer needlessly from diseases, especially children in the developing world. As such, water and sanitation diseases despite being preventable remain one of the most significant child health problems worldwide. Koffi Annan’s Millennium Report as UN Secretary General stated that, ‘no single measure would do more to reduce diseases and safe lives in the developing world than bringing safe water and adequate sanitation to all’.

Although some kinds of water pollution can occur through natural processes, it is mostly as a result of human activities. According to recent Water Facts by Water Partners International (WPI), a person needs four to five (4-5) gallons of water per day to survive. But then, the average American individual uses one hundred to one hundred and seventy –six (100- 176) gallons of water at home each day while the average African family uses about five (5) gallons of water each day. More so, poor people in the slums often pay five – ten (5-10) times more per liter of water than wealthy people living in the same city.

Statistics by Water Partners International shows that – Each year more than five (5) million people die from water-related disease. Thirty percent (30%) of water-related deaths are due to diarrhea. Eighty- four percent (84%) of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 – 14. Ninety- eight percent (98%) of water-related deaths occur in the developing world. How ever, for the first time, the number of people without improved drinking water has dropped below one billion.

With regards to sanitation WPI states that, lack of sanitation is the world’s biggest cause of infection. As a result only sixty- two (62) percent of the world’s population has access to improved sanitation – that is, a sanitation facility that ensures hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact. Of the sixty (60) million people added to the world’s towns and cities every year, most occupy impoverished slums and shanty-towns with no facilities. As such, two point five (2.5) billion people still lack access to improved sanitation, including one point two (1.2) billion people who still have no facilities at all.
The majority of the illness in the world is caused by fecal matter (solid excretory product evacuated from the bowels)
At any one time, more than half the poor of the developing world are ill from causes related to hygiene, sanitation and water supply.
Eighty-eight percent of cases of diarrhea worldwide are attributable to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation or insufficient hygiene. Apparently, two point five (2.5) billion people live on less than US $2 a day meanwhile two point six (2.6) billion people are without sanitation.

2008 was the International Year of Sanitation. Its five key messages were: 1) Sanitation is vital for human health, 2) Sanitation generates economic benefits, 3) Sanitation contributes to dignity and social development, 4) Sanitation helps the environment, and 5) Sanitation is achievable.

Intrinsically, these absurd global crises have an impact on kids, women, health and productivity.

Impacts on Kids – Every fifteen (15) seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease. Children in poor environments often carry one thousand (1000) parasitic worms in their bodies at any time. For children under age five, water-related diseases are the leading cause of death. One point eight (1.8) million Children die each year from diarrhea – four thousand nine hundred (4,900) deaths each day.

Impacts on Women - Millions of women and children spend several hours a day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources.
Lack of toilets makes women and girls vulnerable to violence if they are forced to defecate only after nightfall and in secluded areas. Sanitation enhances dignity, privacy and safety, especially for women and girls. Schools with decent toilet facilities enable children, especially girls reaching puberty, to remain in the educational system.
A study by the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) of community water and sanitation projects in 88 communities found that projects designed and run with the full participation of women are more sustainable and effective than those that do not. This supports an earlier World Bank study that found that women’s participation was strongly associated with water and sanitation project effectiveness.
Evidence shows that women are responsible for half of the world’s food production (as opposed to cash crops) and in most developing countries, rural women produce between sixty - eighty percent (60-80%) of the food. Women also have an important role in establishing sustainable use of resources in small-scale fishing communities, and their knowledge is valuable for managing and protecting watersheds and wetlands.

Impacts on Health - At any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water-related disease.
It is estimated that improved sanitation facilities could reduce diarrhea-related deaths in young children by more than one-third. If hygiene promotion is added, such as teaching proper hand washing, deaths could be reduced by two thirds. It would also help accelerate economic and social development in countries where sanitation is a major cause of lost work and school days because of illness.
No intervention has greater overall impact upon national development and public health than the provision of safe drinking water and the proper disposal of human waste.

Human health improvements are influenced not only by the use of clean water, but also by personal hygiene habits and the use of sanitation facilities.
Close to half of all people in developing countries are suffering at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.
The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.

Impacts on Productivity- Estimated economic benefits of investing in drinking-water and sanitation:
272 million school attendance days a year, an added 1.5 billion healthy days for children under five years of age, together representing productivity gains of US $9.9 billion a year
Values of deaths averted, based on discounted future earnings, amounting to US $3.6 billion a year.
The World Health Organization holds that, every US dollar in sanitation provides and economic return of eight US dollars.

The Global International Water Assessment (GIWA) on its part has come up with a regional assessment reports. It is a systematic assessment of the environmental conditions and problems in transboundary waters, comprising marines, coastal and freshwater areas and surface waters as well as ground waters.

On a final note, it is vital to understand that sustainable development means raising current living standards without destroying the resource base required in meeting future needs. To arrive at this should be the concern of everyone.
Everyone around the world can make a difference, because when it comes to protecting our planet earth every action counts - reduce, reuse, recycle.





















Pic. one, Owe village.

Pic. Two Muyenge village.
Villages in the South West Province of Cameroon

THE NIGHTMARE HIV/AIDS

The situation of the pandemic HIV/AIDS should be everyone’s concern, reasons why it is eminent to seek lasting solutions. The importance of providing accurate media coverage on HIV/AIDS should be the duty of Media Practitioners to disseminate such information. Giving that AIDS in many respect is a disease of ignorance and intolerance, communication programming represents the key ingredients in the ‘Social Vaccine’ against HIV/AIDS.

Whenever we are faced with a dangerous disease for which there is no immediate cure, the general population is immediately at the mercy of Medical Scientist to whom they look for hope and news about possible cures and preventive measures. Every word that comes out of the mouth of such Researchers becomes very important: it can mean hope or panic.

It is therefore important that those who work in the area of public health in particular and vaccine trails, as well handle AIDS control policies and strategies, be given the opportunity to communicate their works, and this in a manner is likely to promote support, goodwill and understanding in the general population.

Journalists are perceived as the watchdogs of the society, checking the powerful and the privileged against abuse, deceit and disinformation. The pursuit of answers to questions surrounding AIDS control policies, or HIV vaccine development/ trials and possible remedies is the corner stone of the Medias' watchdog mission.

The issue of HIV/AIDS is a very intricate one, considering the fact that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have been ravaging many people especially in Sub- Saharan Africa. As Statisticians proclaimed; in spite of the fact that more than 4 million condoms have been shipped to Sub- Saharan Africa as preventive measures, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS still rate highest in this region.

According to December 2008 reports on’ The Global AIDS Epidemic’ by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Sub- Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV, accounting for 67 percent of all people around the world living with HIV and for 75 percent of AIDS deaths in 2007.

Going by global and regional trends, some 33 million (30-36 million) people were living with HIV as of 2007; 2 million (1.9-2.3 million) of them were children under 15 years, and about 15.5 million (14.2-16.9 million) were women.

Globally, AIDS is among the leading causes of death and has already caused an estimated 25 million deaths. Every day, over 7,400 persons becomes infected with HIV and about 5,500 persons die from AIDS, mostly because of inadequate access to HIV prevention care and treatment services.

Roughly 15 million (13-19 million) children under the age of eighteen have lost one or both parents to AIDS, and millions more have been affected, with a vastly increased risk of poverty, homelessness, school drop-out, discrimination, and loss of life opportunities. Theses hardships include illness and death. Of the estimated 2 million (1.8-2.3 million) people who died of AIDS- related illnesses in 2007, 270,000(250,000-290,000) of them were children under fifteen years old.
Global estimates show that the number of children living with HIV continues to increase steadily, from 2001 to 2007, the number of children living with HIV increased from 1.6 million (1.4 -2.1 million) to 2 million (1.9-2.3 million). Almost 90 percent of these children live in Sub- Saharan Africa.

Most of the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Sub- Saharan Africa occurs in heterosexual relationships, both in the context of transactional and commercial sex and in longer term relationships including marriage. As a contrast, in virtually all other regions, HIV disproportionately affects injecting drug users, homosexuals and sex workers.

Young people age 15 to 24 accounts for an estimated 45 percent of new HIV infections worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa young women aged 15 to 24 are three times more likely to be affected than their male counterparts. In four regions - South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, East Asia and the pacific, and Central and Eastern/ Central Asia, there are more young men who are HIV positive than young women.

This reflects the differences in risk behaviours, which requires that interventions be tailored to fit the nature and dynamic of the epidemic.
Beware! HIV/AIDS is reality.

By Cecile N. Enie

LEISURE

EDUCATION

SOME PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BUEA

TRAINNING WORKSHOPS

THE DISABLED/ HANDICAPS

MY AFFILIATION WITH DISABLED/HANDICAPS.

ORPHANS- THE PIC. WITH CHILDREN DRESSED IN PURPLE ARE ORPHANS AT THE 'HANDICAP, ORPHANS, TRAINING, PRODUCTION, ESTACY CENTER' (HOTPEC) AND ORPHANS AT THE ST VALANTINE ORPHANAGE ARE IN ASSORTED OUTFITS.

VISUAL IMPAIRED- PIC. WITH TRAINEES WITH COLOURED OUTFITS AND WHITE STICKS.

DEAF- CHILDREN IN YELLOW UNIFORMS ARE STUDENT OF THE BUEA SCHOOL OF THE DEAF,

ALL IN SOUTH WEST OF CAMEROON

CRAFT

PIC. ONE, BASKETS MADE OF WOOL AND USED RICE BAGS BY FEMALE TRAINEES

AT THE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND FAMILY TRAINING CENTER IN BUEA SOUTH WEST PROVINCE OF CAMEROON.

AND

PIC. TWO, VISUALLY IMPAIRED TRAINEES AND THEIR INSTRUCTOR ALSO BLIND, WEAVING BASKETS FROM WASTE FIBRE, AT THE BUEA REHABILITATION CENTER FOR THE BLIND KNOWN AS BULU BLIND CENTER IN BUEA

2007 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARD

2007 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARD OF EXCELLENCE ON POPULATION REPORTING ORGANISED BY THE POPULATION INSTITUE AN NGO IN WASHINGTON DC.

THERE WERE 12 WINNERS IN ALL. I WON IN THE CATEGORY OF 'BEST ELECTRONIC COMMENTARY.'

GENDER

WOMEN’S STRIVE FOR LEADERSHIP: WHAT OBSTACLES?

Across the world, numerous obstacles including pervasive and often subtle attitudes and beliefs that women are unequal to men at home, work and in the government hamper women in leadership positions.
Feminist argue that regardless of race, class or ethnicity, women are constantly defined as political outsiders whose participation in public life is conditional upon their maternal roles.

Many cultures view the raising of children as a feminine duty, thus men are not expected to have domestic roles. In countries where male chauvinism and female subordination exist, women who venture in to powerful positions are faced with multiple roles - to manage her household and family and to also performing their professional task. This often leaves women at a disadvantage in relation to their male counterparts.

As Dr Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, Zambian Ambassador to the US told African Renewal, getting into and staying in positions of power is difficult because of the roles traditionally expected of women.
Still quoting the Zambia Ambassador, to gain positions of authority, women frequently have to be over qualified, just to be noticed as such, it is a direct reflection on how societies view women not to be as good as men. And when women do get appointed, you hear people say ‘she is just like a man’ in other words they relate to you as a man if you are an achiever.

Activist also noted that because women are often viewed as out of place in professional environments, they are subjected to more scrutiny at work than are men of the same rank, which slows down women advancement in to management position.

To reaffirm this observation, former Mexican Ambassador to the UN, Rosario Green said, “I was always being watched by my colleagues, at all levels”, men who were above me watched me, to see if I would make a mistake. Men who were at the same level would watch me to see where I could do things as well as they did. And of course my bosses, who were men, were always scrutinizing me and other women, because they are fearful of history judgment: ‘you made a mistake you selected a woman’.

World wide, about thirty of the world’s more than one- hundred and ninety countries apply some form of female quotas system in politics. This is a form of affirmation action in favor of women. In Africa, there are three main Quota Systems.

A constitutional quota is a system whereby, some countries including Burkina Faso and Uganda, have constitutional provisions reserving seats in national parliament for women.
Election law quotas - provisions are written in to national legislation, as in Sudan.
While in political party quotas - parties adopt internal rules to include a certain percentage of women as candidates for office. This is the case with the governing parties in South Africa and Mozambique.

How ever, while introducing quotas provides a means of addressing the gender imbalance in decision making, the practice often lack support from important political actors or meets opposition in societies that have strong patriarchal traditions. Much like the debate around affirmative action, those opposed to quota systems say they discriminate against men.

The Zambia National Women’s Lobby Group accused its government of lacking political will. While the Zambian Government has ratified a number of international instruments to promote women in politics, the group reports, none have been domesticated, cultural and traditional practices subjecting women to male dominance have also hindered women’s progress in achieving gender equalities in politics.
The group also noted that, women face barriers such as ‘conflicts, intimidation, negative attitudes, stereotypes by society and lack of support from the electorate.’

The Stockholm- Based Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) reports that women politicians across the globe confront a ‘masculine model’ of politics. In many cases, they lack political party support and have no access to quality education and training to enter politics. ‘Political life is organized for male norms and values and in many cases even for male life-styles’ noted Ms Margaret Dongo, a Zimbabwean politician. ‘But this must and will change’.

From another standpoint, UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) report cited that, simply increasing women’s share of seats in parliament alone is not a solution; it does not guarantee that they will make decisions that benefit the majority of women. ‘ It can only level the playing field on which women battle for equality’ reports the UN Agency.

Many factors obstruct elected women from promoting laws that aid women. These may include limits on policy choices Parliamentarians can make due to loan conditions set by international financial institutions.

They may also be restrained by national constitutions that hamper parliamentary power in relation to the executive powers of government and political parties that exert strong discipline over their members noted UNIFEM

Some Gender Activist also argues that quotas may constitute a ‘glass ceiling’ beyond which women cannot go unless they engage in additional struggle. Others contend that women who come to power under such a system may be under valued or viewed as not politically deserving.
From the viewpoint of Mrs. Mata SyDiallo, Former Vice-President of the Senegalese National Assembly, Quotas ‘can only be a transitory solution not a cure for the making of true democracy'.

The IDEA Institute in Stockholm also raised the fact that, women politicians around the world are at a disadvantage in terms of financial resources, since women are a majority of the world’s poor and in many patriarchal societies cannot own property and do not have money of their own. Despite such hindrances, other IDEA study recommends that women around the world learn the rules of politics, create conditions that allow more women to participate and then eventually change the rules to suit the needs of the majority of women.

Meanwhile, Ms Brigitta Dahl, a Swedish Parliamentarian cited that ‘Political Parties, The Educational System, Non-Governmental Organization, Trade Unions, Churches, all must take responsibility within their own organization to systematically promote women’s from bottom up’.

South Africa’s speaker of parliament Frene Ginwala insist that the main responsibility falls on women themselves “ in any society and situation it is those most affected who must bring about change ‘ she added ‘ those who are privileged benefit from a system that marginalizes others. It is up to us the woman.

By Enie Cecile
Facts from African Recovery, United Nations

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY:
ARE AFRICAN WOMEN STRIVING?

Joy Mukanyange of Rwanda grew

up as a refugee in Uganda and has
since served as her country’s

ambassador to several nations

A cross section of the male sex view women empowerment and gender equality as a catalyst for women to disrespect men, abstain from their conjugal duties and usurp power.

Empowerment however could be described as a process that enables the powerless/ marginalized to have a say in decision-making and other issues that concern their community.

Gender equality is a human right and empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and to improve the prospects for the next generation.

The importance of gender equality is underscored by its inclusion as one of the eight Millennium Goals during the September 2000 UN Millennium Summit in New York, that serve as a frame work for halving poverty and improving lives. Since then, the number of women in leadership has been at a rise.

In most African countries like Cameroon and Nigeria, recent appointments have brought more women to key positions, but still, the ratio is not worth applauding. How ever, there have been many changes, and positive ones too. The status of women in most countries is changing drastically and equality of men and women is becoming a reality.

According to a report by Gumisai Mutume “ Women Break in to African Politics” – Rwanda’s success in bringing women to the political table mirrors that of a small, but growing number of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa and Mozambique for instance, women hold thirty percent of the seats in parliament- matching the international target

Women’s representation in national parliaments across Sub-Saharan Africa is thirteen out of thirty-nine that are at least 15 percent women. The figure has been considered a significant minority on a global scale but it appears to equals the world average of about 15 percent.

Despite being one of the poorest regions in the world, the level of women representation in parliament in Sub-Saharan Africa is higher than in many wealthier countries, observed UNIFEM in it’s progress of the worlds women 2002 report. In the US, France and Japan for example, women hold slightly more than 10 percent of parliamentary seats. Globally, only twelve other countries had reached that level in National parliament by 2004.

Most of the countries that have achieved significant increase in women’s participation have done so through the use of quotas, a form of affirmative action in favor of women.
Dr Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, of Zambia is among the sixteen female Ambassadors to the US. According to her, eight are African and seven of them are from the Southern States. This is due to the fact that in 1997, member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) adopted a declaration on gender and development that required each countries to reach at least 30 percent female representation in decision-making by 2005.

Although three countries have achieved the SADC target, on average women comprise 20 percent of the regions legislators, second only to Scandinavian countries, where the average is 38 percent; noted Gender Links, a Southern African Non-Governmental Group.

Apparently, CSW Vice-Chairperson Adekunbi Abibat Sonaike from Nigeria says ‘ progress has been slow and uneven noting that many African countries have not yet reached the international perspective, Gender Activists are increasingly setting their rights on getting more women into high office in International Financial Institutions, such as, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Out of all policy-making areas, women are least represented in economics and finance noted the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), an International Women’s Lobby Group.

Broadcast news presenter Katie Couric

moderates questions to the panel

at the UN ‘Girls Speak Out’ event.

World wide, there is only twenty-eight female Ministers in-charge of economics portfolios. The consequence by WEDO’s report is that women’s interest, experiences and concerns are either absent or inadequately reflected in economic decision-making.

At the World Bank and IMF, female representation among leadership’s staff is around 20 percent and fewer than 10 percent of the members of the Organization Boards of Governors are women.

A woman has never occupied the top post at either the World Bank or IMF. IMF appointed Ann O. Krueger as its first woman Deputy Managing Director. Furthermore, the African Women’s Caucus of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has charged that even the UN is still lagging behind. Founded in October 24, 1945 ‘no woman has ever been Secretary-General of the UN’. This was noted in a statement, urging the UN to promote the rise of women to top post, especially at a time when the Organization is taking reforms.

Despite the challenges, a growing proportion of women are breaking through the glass ceiling. Actually women in leadership positions attribute their success to factors such as, access to education and work opportunities, good mentoring by both men and women, support from family, Employers, Supervisors, Teachers and Colleagues and successful lobbying by gender Activists.
The world average for women in parliament rose from 11.7 percent in 1995 to 15.6 percent by 2004. Recent reports complied by the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the basis of information provided by National Parliament 31st of March 2008, shows the world average percentage of women at 17.7 percent. In Southern Africa where the proportion of women in parliament is at 17.9 percent, is much higher than the African Average of 11 percent, three countries selected female deputy speakers during the last decade.
In January 2007, again according to the IPU’s statistics, there were more women presiding officers of parliament than ever before: 35 out of a total 262 worldwide. Women speakers were elected for the first time in Gambia, Israel, Swaziland, Turkmenistan and the United States of America.

Where they were once concentrated in the Caribbean, women presiding officers are making inroads in all regions. Women head parliaments in about thirty-two countries.
Uganda has the 18th highest proportion of women in Parliament, according to a global ranking report released by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The country also ranks the fourth in Africa, after Rwanda, Mozambique and South Africa. It is doing much better than the developed countries such as UK, Canada and Australia among others. The report shows that women hold one hundred and two out of three hundred and thirty-two seats in the Ugandan Parliament, or 30.7 percent.

Neighboring Rwanda takes the lead position in the world with thirty-nine women in Parliament out of a total of eighty seats, or 48.8 percent. Burundi and Tanzania were ranked 19th and 20th respectively with 30.5 percent and 30.4percent female legislators, while Kenya was the 115th with only 7.2 percent. The global classification, covering one hundred and eight countries, was compiled on the basis of information provided by the national parliaments by December 31, 2007.

In addition, Mozambique appointed a woman Prime Minister and Zimbabwe and South Africa named women Deputy Presidents, while Liberians swore in Ms Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf as Africa’s first elected female leader.

According to IPU, nearly one in five parliamentarians worldwide is now a woman. But far fewer women (16%) are making it to top positions in government. About eight countries had no women legislators in their parliaments at all. These are Micronesia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

On 29 February, Carolyn Hannan, Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women joined Anders Johnson of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to launch the 2008 map of women in politics. Statistical data is very important but "it is not enough to count women in parliament," noted Hannon. "We also need to monitor the way that women are involved in politics and the effectiveness of their participation."
The Zambian Ambassador to the United States of America Dr Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika has declared her interest in the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission. Dr. Lewanika pointed out that, this position has been held by a former Head of State but never been held by a woman. As such, her success as a candidate would represent change that breaks through a glass ceiling of apparent exclusion; a change that re-affirms that indeed all human being, men and women, are created equal. In addition, it is time to implement gender equity at all levels that has been preached for years.

Ms Pumla Mncay, Director of Gender Advocacy Programme, a South African Lobby Group, noted that the advancement of women into positions of power does not by itself, resolve the need to create an environment that allows them to make a real difference. “It is a reality that traditional women have always been given positions as deputies to men, without any real power or significance”.

Nonetheless, “study after study has shown that there is no effective development strategy in which a woman do not play a central role”, cited Koffi Annan as the then UN Secretary General. When women are fully involved he noted, the benefits are immediate, families are healthier and better fed and their income savings and investments go up. And what is true of families is also true of communities and in the long run, of whole countries.

By Enie Cecile