Month: September 2022

The Huthi de facto authorities must end their mahram (male guardian) requirement, which bans women from travelling without a male guardian or evidence of their written approval across governorates under Huthi control or to other areas of Yemen, Amnesty International said today.

Increasingly since April, tightened Huthi restrictions have hindered Yemeni women from carrying out their work, especially those who are required to travel. The restraints imposed by the mahram requirement also apply to Yemeni female humanitarian workers who have struggled to conduct fieldwork, thereby directly impacting access to aid for Yemenis in need and particularly for women and girls.

“The Huthi de facto authorities must immediately lift the mahram requirement. This restrictive rule constitutes a form of gender-based discrimination and entrenches the discrimination faced by women in Yemen on a daily basis. Yemeni women urgently need to be able to move around the country freely in order to work, to seek health care and to give or receive humanitarian aid,” said Diana Semaan, Acting Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa.

“The international community should pressure the Huthis to stop imposing mahram restrictions on women. Yemen is already facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and there is now a very real risk that women and girls will stop receiving aid if women humanitarian workers continue to be banned from travelling without a male guardian.”

Under international humanitarian law, all parties to the armed conflict in Yemen, including the Huthis, must facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of impartial humanitarian assistance to civilians in need and ensure the freedom of movement of humanitarian relief personnel without discrimination. The mahram restriction is contrary to this obligation.

The mahram requirement, which is not part of Yemeni law is being enforced by the Huthis through verbal directives. Since April, the Huthi de facto authorities have increasingly insisted on the mahram requirement to restrict the movement of women across areas they control in northern Yemen, including Saada, Dhamar, Hodeidah and Hajjah governorates, and Sanaa.

Amnesty International interviewed five women activists and members of local organizations, all of whom were subjected to the mahram requirement when attempting to travel for work between April and August, and seven experts with knowledge of how mahram restrictions have impacted the delivery of humanitarian aid.

‘They are suffocating us’

In early August, multiple car rental companies told Afrah*, 36, that she could not rent a car to travel from Sanaa to Aden governorate for work unless she travelled with a male guardian.

“My husband had to take leave from his work, and I had to take my daughter out of her school so that I could meet the mahram requirement and be able to travel to Aden for my work,” she told Amnesty International. “We had to submit to the authorities copies of our IDs, the family record that proves we are married, and a birth certificate for my daughter to be able to rent a car and travel.

“The mahram restriction gives men more control over our lives and allows them to micromanage our movement and activities. They are suffocating us.”

Noura*, 48, was blocked from renting a car to travel across governates in July unless she could provide written approval from her younger brother.

“My brother, who is supposed to be my mahram, is 10 years younger than me,” she told Amnesty International. “When he gave me his written approval note, he apologized that he had to do this for me.”

When Eman*, 35, was travelling in a rental car from Sanaa to Aden governorate in April, she was stopped at a security checkpoint in Sanaa for six hours. Despite presenting written approval from her mahram, the checkpoint officer verbally harassed her and threatened to physically assault her if she got out of the car.

She told Amnesty International: “The man in charge of the checkpoint was yelling at me. He said ‘where is your mahram? Aren’t you ashamed of travelling alone? How did your parents allow you?’ … Then, he took all my documents and my bag, and asked me where I was going and if I worked with an NGO… He said ‘I will not let you go without a problem’.”

Impeding access for humanitarian aid workers

According to seven experts with knowledge of the humanitarian situation and a recent report on humanitarian access in Yemen by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the mahram requirement became prevalent across Huthi controlled areas in the second quarter of 2022, which made the travel of female national staff very challenging for all humanitarian agencies and led to the repeated cancellation of humanitarian aid deliveries.

The experts told Amnesty International that women aid workers who do not have a mahram for travel purposes are increasingly unable to carry out their work. This reality has particularly limited women and girls’ access to desperately needed aid and healthcare services that are only provided by female aid workers. They added that mahram restrictions could lead to women aid workers leaving their positions at humanitarian organizations and consequently struggling to support their families.

One expert told Amnesty International: “The mahram requirement impedes the ability of humanitarian organizations to access all parts of the community and country to deliver aid in a timely manner, and this affects all humanitarian programming, which requires female humanitarian workers to work closely with women and girls. If female staff can’t get access to different parts of the country, it not only stops them from being able to do their lifesaving work, but it negatively impacts the quality of the humanitarian response.”

A second expert added: “The mahram requirement is not only affecting protection programmes but also health care and reproductive programmes and any humanitarian assistance that requires local female staff to be present and deliver aid to women and girls.”

Background

According to local rights organization Mwatana for Human Rights, Huthi restrictions for women have grown increasingly repressive since 2017. Women and girls have been denied access to reproductive health care, banned from working in some governorates, forced into gender segregation in public spaces, and required to follow the mahram restrictions.

Source: Global Polio Eradication Initiative

The crisis in Ukraine will be at the heart of the Security Council’s considerations during September, its President for the month told a United Nations Headquarters press conference today, also noting that its programme of work will account for the commencement of the high-level debate opening the seventy-seventh session of the General Assembly.

Nicolas de Rivière (France), holding the 15-nation Council’s rotating presidency for September, emphasized his delegation’s support for strong, effective multilateralism. “The challenges the Council faces are well-known,” he observed, detailing the balanced programme of work that will encompass the usual meetings on the Middle East — focusing on Syria, Lebanon and Yemen — as well as a number of meetings concerning Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 27 September, the Council will consider the situation in Afghanistan.

On the Council’s working methods, he said that — as the situation in New York is steadily improving — the plexiglass barriers will be removed from the Council Chamber and pointed out that members have resumed use of the Consultations Room as of today.

As well, the Council will hold its annual meeting on peacekeeping operations on 6 September, which will feature a briefing by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations, he said, noting that the meeting will allow the Council to take stock of such operations.

On 22 September, the Council will hold a ministerial-level meeting concerning the crisis in Ukraine, over which the Minister for Foreign Affairs of France will preside, that will focus on impunity and justice, he continued. On 7 September, the Council will hold a meeting focusing on forced displacement in Ukraine.

He also noted that the Council will address two mandate renewals in September, concerning the Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD) and the maritime operation in Libya aimed at prohibiting human trafficking established pursuant to resolution 2240 (2015).

Mr. de Rivière then responded to several questions posed by media correspondents.

Asked if, following the recent mission by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the Council will ask the Agency for a report, he stressed that the Agency must be able to fully carry out its mandate in Ukraine. Noting that the Russian Federation asked for a meeting on this issue, he said that the Council will discuss matters in the coming days, and if the meeting occurs, that it will ask the IAEA’s Director-General to both provide a report and discuss how the Agency can contribute to the future nuclear safety of the plant.

He then responded to several questions pertaining to the Council’s plans to discuss the situation faced by the Uyghur ethnic group in the Xinjiang region of China, in regard to the recent report released by the Human Rights Council which concluded that China’s actions could possibly constitute crimes against humanity. Speaking in his capacity as Council President, he said that this issue is not on the Council’s agenda — and has never been — and will probably not be discussed in September. In his national capacity, he expressed concern over this situation and said that France has been committed to this issue both in the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues) and in the General Assembly, and will continue to examine it closely with its partners.

Questioned why the Council is not urgently discussing a United Nations report that accuses a permanent Council member of crimes against humanity, he responded — again speaking as the Council President — that the organ has a specific mandate to maintain regional and international peace and security. Further, crimes against humanity fall under the purview of international courts. “The Council isn’t in charge of everything,” he added, while noting that, in his capacity as France’s representative, he understands and shares this analysis.

Asked if there has been “pushback from the Chinese”, he said that, due to the recent nature of the report’s release, the Council has not yet discussed this issue. Until instructions change, the situation in Xinjiang is not on the Council’s agenda.

Another correspondent recalled France’s previous push to intervene in Libya based on the responsibility to protect and asked if that issue is no longer important for France. Responding, Mr. de Rivière said that human-rights-related questions are the primary responsibility of the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and the Third Committee. The responsibility to protect remains a priority for France, and he stressed, in his national capacity, that his country will continue to ensure that this is applied indiscriminately, everywhere. However, he added that, as this issue has not been mentioned in the Council before, it is a “blank slate”.

On a different issue, a correspondent, recalling French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent expression of hope that negotiations will be concluded on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in the next few days, inquired about the reason for this optimism and, if a final deal is reached, what the Council will have to do. While noting that he is not “up to speed” on the specific details of ongoing talks, Mr. de Rivière said that there has been a feeling, for a long time, that “positions are aligning”. Further, if all sides agree to fully implement their obligations under the Plan of Action, nothing has to be done in the Council. This would simply mark a return to the implementation of existing law.

Asked if President Macron — who will be in New York during the high-level week — will address the Council and if, during the ministerial meeting, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs will hold a press conference, he said that the President’s involvement is likely, but not formally confirmed. Additionally, while France’s Minister for Foreign Affairs may speak to the press before or after the 22 September meeting, this also has not been confirmed.

On whether the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Ukraine will attend the ministerial-level meeting on 22 September — and whether this could lead to a meeting between the two — he said that all ministers of Council-member nations will be invited, as will be Ukraine’s minister. While this is not the aim of the meeting — which is to allow the Council to take stock of the situation on the ground — he said, in his national capacity, that his country always encourages belligerent parties to talk.

Asked if issues surrounding certain opposition within the Libyan Government to the appointment of Abdoulaye Bathily as United Nations Special Envoy for Libya is a problem for finding a solution to the crisis in that country, he responded in the negative. It is “high time”, he said, for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to have leadership and facilitate negotiations. “What is important now is to get to the next phase,” he stressed. On whether consensus exists among Council members regarding Mr. Bathily’s appointment, he replied: “What I can say is that I think it will be accepted”.

Responding to a question on the Council’s “temperature” regarding the Ethiopia file, he said, speaking as Council President, that he will be ready to organize any useful meeting on the subject and that such a meeting will likely occur. Speaking as France’s representative, he supported such a meeting as it is “high time to get things back on a political track”. For years, Ethiopia has contributed to stability in the Horn of Africa, and now the opposite is the case. While the African Union and regional and subregional organizations want to take leadership in this crisis, when such solutions find themselves at a deadlock there is no reason why the Council cannot take the initiative. He added that, while the Council might not be able to do better, “it must try”.

Noting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s planned appearance during high-level week, another correspondent asked if he would address the Council. Mr. de Rivière said that this is up to the Ukrainian President. If he wants to address the Council, as he has done several times before in a virtual capacity, the Council would be disposed to hear what he has to say.

Asked if there will be any effort to adopt a product after the 22 September meeting on Ukraine, he responded in the negative. On whether President Macron plans to meet with President Zelenskyy, he said this question will be asked and emphasized that France supports Ukraine.

Another correspondent noted that the Taliban travel-ban waiver expired in August and asked if the Council will be able to resolve this issue in its discussions. Responding, Mr. de Rivière said that the aim of exemptions to that sanctions regime have been to allow Taliban negotiators to participate in the peace process. Speaking in his national capacity, he said that, over the last few years, the feeling has been that, while these exemptions were granted to facilitate peace negotiations, they have not allowed the same to advance. Afghanistan is a major source of concern for France, and the situation will be discussed on 27 September. The Council must urgently push the regime towards greater cooperation, he added.

Asked if nuclear issues will be discussed in the Council, he said that the 6 September meeting will specifically discuss the issue of civilian nuclear power plants in Ukraine that have been compromised by fighting, not nuclear issues in general.

On a question regarding United States President Joseph R. Biden’s plans for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action before November mid-term elections in that country, he replied: “Ask Linda”, referring to United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Source: United Nations

Pakistan floods: WHO EMRO has released US$4 million in emergency funding for Pakistan, while polio teams are supporting disease surveillance for other diseases during the flood emergency. Dr Hamid Jafari, WHO EMRO Director for Polio Eradication, said via his Twitter account: “Heartbreaking sights from Pakistan, as the damage to the lives, livelihoods and health of people requires all of us to come together and provide support. WHO has been activated to provide emergency support to the Government of Pakistan with medical supplies and expertise, and of course our polio workforce is assisting efforts.”

African Ministers of Health Commit to Polio Eradication Efforts:This year’s detection of imported wild poliovirus in Malawi and Mozambique set off a series of coordinated campaigns across East Africa, as countries acted to swiftly protect their populations and prevent further transmission. On 24 August, in a special side session to the 72nd Meeting of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Lomé, Togo, Ministers of Health from these responding committed to improving vaccination campaigns, strengthening disease surveillance and continuing to lead in the rollout of the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV2), hearing from Dr. Matshidiso Moeti (Director, WHO AFRO), Dr. Modjirom Ndoutabe (Polio Programme Coordinator, WHO AFRO) and Chris Elias (Chair, Polio Oversight Board) on what is needed to keep Africa wild polio-free.

nOPV2 rollout: Approximately 450 million doses of nOPV2 have been administered across 22 countries under its WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) to date. An additional 16 countries have met the requirements for nOPV2 use in the event of an outbreak. More information on nOPV2.

Last week, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization (SAGE) Polio Working Group convened at WHO in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss policy options and will formulate recommendations for endorsement to the upcoming full SAGE meeting, on 3-6 October 2022.

**Summary of new polioviruses this week:

**– Pakistan: one WPV1 case and four positive environmental samples

– Benin: two cVDPV2 cases

– Chad: four cVDPV2 cases

– DR Congo: two cVDPV2 cases

– Ghana: two cVDPV2 positive environmental samples

– Yemen: 18 cVDPV2 cases

Source: Global Polio Eradication Initiative

(Mombasa, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) through its IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Initiative (IDDRSI) and in collaboration with the Government of Sweden, organised a Gender and Resilience Knowledge Share Fair with the theme “Gender Transformative Approach to Mitigating Climate Risks in Karamoja and Mandera Clusters.”

The Share Fair focused on how to best mainstream gender adoption towards resilience-building by focusing on the IGAD’s cross-border areas giving specific emphasis on the Karamoja, and Mandera Clusters.

The two-day share fair event brought together participants from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. These include representatives from regional resilience projects, private sector representatives, cross-border civil society organisations and more especially gender focused CSOs, and technical staff from the IGAD secretariat, IDDRSI focal ministries, Chairpersons of the NEP, local government and community development, gender affairs leading Ministries, academia, research institutions, and other relevant ministries.

A Share fair is a participatory event which provides an opportunity for different actors to come together and share knowledge, experiences, and good practices on a given topic. This can create and strengthen a common knowledge base and understanding and help to identify successful methods and approaches to the issue at hand. This share fair builds on previous share fairs and their successes.

Prior to the current drought across the Horn of Africa, the food security and nutritional situation in the region was already precarious, leaving households extremely vulnerable to food insecurity with little to no coping capacity to manage additional shocks.

Currently, IGAD estimates that 8.1 million people are food insecure in ASLA area of Ethiopia, 3.5 million in Kenya, 7.7 million in Somalia, 8.9 million in South Sudan, 10.6 million in Sudan, and 1.6 million in Uganda, where girls and women and other social groups are more severely impacted by the drought.

The 2022 share fair was organised with the objectives of Sharing the methodology of the gender transformative approach with the participants, sharing success stories and good practices including failures on gender transformative approach focusing on drought response, COVID 19 and conflict, and facilitate and establishing a monitoring mechanism to track the action plans that have been identified from the previous share fair events and identify what has changed.

Source: Intergovernmental Authority on Development

TUNIS– Tunisian security services, seized yesterday, a large number of weapons and ammunition, in a town in the southern province of Medenine, the National Guard spokesman said.

“The smuggled arms were seized during a security operation conducted in Ben Guerdane, early yesterday, by anti-terrorist units, assisted by the Special Unit of the National Guard,” Houcemeddine Jbabli, said in a statement.

“Among the military weapons and ammunition seized are 11 Kalashnikov-type assault rifles, 14 ammunition magazines, and 4,400 7.62-mm bullets,” he added.

An investigation revealed that, two people were involved in the arms smuggling for terrorist organisations, according to the statement.

Tunisia witnessed terrorist activities since 2011, with dozens of security and military agents, civilians and foreign tourists having been killed.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

World Vision is responding to the impact of hunger in seven countries in East Africa and requires US$ 181 million to reach 5 million people, including 2.7 million children by April 2023. We have reached more than 8 million people since April 2021.

A deadly mix of conflict, COVID-19 and the climate crisis have pushed more than 11 million people across seven countries in East Africa to the very brink of a hunger crisis. Of critical concern are vulnerable children who are experiencing high levels of malnutrition.

Conflict is the leading driver of hunger globally. Every country where World Vision works in East Africa is either in conflict or neighbouring a country in conflict. The region has also endured substantial climate shocks, undermining people’s ability to feed themselves. The economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current ripple effect from the war in Ukraine is also driving hunger to unprecedented levels.

Humanitarian needs are immense and the impact on children, including safeguarding risks, is enormous. This challenging period could also erode human and economic development gains that have been made towards the global 2030 Sustainable Development Goals across the region.

World Vision is deeply concerned for millions of children in East Africa, who are enduring a devastating hunger crisis. According to FSNWG Drought Special report (July 2022), about 568,000 children were admitted for Severe Acute Malnutrition treatment in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia from January to June. About 6.5 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition, of which close to 1.8 million face severe wasting.

World Vision has reached more than 8 million people, including 4.4 million children, since April 2021. We are already responding with food distributions in multiple countries. World Vision re-declared its multi-country response comprising Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. We aim to reach 5 million people, including 2.7 million children, by April 2023 through the second phase of the response. World Vision has been implementing a multi-country hunger emergency response in the above-mentioned countries for the last 12 months and has been able to repurpose and raise new funds, to the tune of US $ 81 million. However, the needs have insurmountably increased and we require an additional US$ 100 million.

Source: World Vision