Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is critical for the health and well-being of adolescents, particularly for girls and young women. The headline in the Guardian newspaper today is: “Pregnancy problems are leading global killer of females aged 15 to 19.”
Maternal and reproductive ill-health are the leading cause of death globally among females aged 15-19, with self-harm in second place, a new report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found.
Did you know that eating a meal could also give someone the chance of an education? Or having a good night’s sleep in a hotel could support a vocational training programme?
Everyday we all make tiny decisions and transactions about spending money. Each time we make a purchase, do we take a minute and think about where we buy our goods and services from, and the positive or negative social impact of those decisions? Do we consider if the materials are recycled or recyclable? Or if they have been sourced ethically and/or are Fairtrade? Or if we are spending money with a business that is giving something back to the community?
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~ Robert Frost, poem titled The Road Not Taken, 1916
It is a real privilege to travel. Many people never have that luxury – to have the time and the resources to journey somewhere unfamiliar, and to smell, taste, listen, experience a world that is different from every day life. Continue reading “The thoughtful traveller”
In March 2017, Watipa hosted a meeting of the Kenyan scholars. In December 2016, 5 young Kenyans received inaugural Watipa scholarships. For the meeting in Nairobi, two of the scholars, Julia Omondi and Zingiri Amos Mwamlamba, were able to travel to Nairobi to meet Lucy Stackpool-Moore for dinner.
All three are outsiders to Nairobi, and at first glance, the trio did not appear to have much in common. Continue reading “Watipa in Kenya: Discussing politics and Italian food”
Empowering women to participate fully in economic life across all sectors is essential to build stronger economies. It unquestionably improves the quality of life for women, men, families and communities in every society.
The private sector is a key partner in efforts to advance gender equality and empower women. This includes social enterprises, small and medium businesses, as well as large corporations. But how or what is the role of women as leaders within this space? Continue reading “Women’s business”
Combining individual motivation with team participation, rowing is a sport that can facilitate personal and social growth.
Today at the Lea Athletics Centre in North London, 2,304 young people took part in the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships (NJIRC) organizing by London Youth Rowing. Fifty per cent of the young people participating were girls, from all over the country.
March 1 is a day celebrating everyone’s right to live a full life with dignity regardless of age, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, skin color, height, weight, profession, education, and beliefs.
Happy zero discrimination day one and all! This day could also be considered one for acceptance, open-mindedness, and celebration of diversity. Continue reading “Happy zero discrimination day!”
The 8th of March is International Women’s Day. It’s origins are in the early twentieth century. What will you be doing to celebrate and support women next Wednesday?
Will you be busy challenging bias and inequality in the workplace (for example speaking out against all-male panel discussions or leadership teams), or adding your support to a group that campaigns again violence, or celebrating the success of inspiring women leaders in your life? If you’re a woman, will you be taking some time out of your busy today to celebrate yourself, and appreciate the mothers, sisters, daughters around you?
I am Precious Mastala, a student at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi, and I am pursuing a BSc in Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Vet Medicine is nice to study and goes with passion and love for animal welfare, which extends community wide.
Today has been a most interesting day. But, as the non existent winter sun is about to set in London, I find myself with a bit of an identity crisis. Where do we find like minded social enterprises working to enhance social value outside our own communities? Where are the other international development actors working with an ethical and entrepreneurial business approach to development with communities in other countries?
Watipa surely is not alone. But where are the spaces that could connect us? If you are a social enterprise working in the field of international development, we want to hear from you. Continue reading “We want you! Connecting social value & international development”
