24 November 2009
Thousands of Sri Lankan Internally Displaced People are returning to their homes six months after fighting ceased between the government troops and the opposing Tamil Tigers in May 2009. IDP camps contained more than 280,000 people after the end of the quarter-century long civil war. Difficult conditions in the camps and the restricted movement of residents have been an ongoing concern for the international community. Now IDPs are returning home in large numbers and the government has a stated goal of emptying the camps by the end of January 2010. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs visited Sri Lanka last week. He spoke of the issues facing the returning IDPs at the United Nations this week. “It’s clear that those who are leaving the camps and going back home welcome that process very much. Nevertheless there are concerns about the quality of the returns process.” He specified concern with quality of basic services in the communities IDPs are returning to. Health care access is a significant problem for the communities hosting the returning IDPs. Some of the areas to which they are returning were devastated in the fighting, and much of the health infrastructure was destroyed. Doctor Edwin Salvador, Focal Point for Emergency and Humanitarian Assistance for the World Health Organization in Sri Lanka, described the status of the health infrastructure: “Some of the rehabilitation work to damaged health facilities will be completed in about two weeks time, although there is still a lot to do.” Many communities only have access to mobile clinics while the hospitals are being repaired. Emergency measures are also being taken to staff the medical clinics. “Doctors, nurses and midwives have already been mobilized from other districts to work in hospitals. Once basic accommodation can be provided to these medical personnel, these doctors, nurses and midwives will be assigned permanently.” The return of thousands of IDPs is straining the infrastructure of their communities, but the UN, the WHO and the national medical community are committed to addressing their needs.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Haitian journalist wins the Francophone Free Press Award by exposing development issues
November 21, 2009
Gaby Saget, a young Haitian journalist, recently won one of two Francophone Free Press Awards. The other winner was Chansophea Ung, of Cambodia who won the award for written journalism. I interviewed Saget about the significance of the free press for development in Haiti, a small island developing state and one of the world’s least developed countries.
The Francophone Free Press Award (Le Prix Jean Hélène) was created in 2001 in an alliance between Radio France International, Reporters without Borders and l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). With four categories, written, radio, photography and drawing, its goal is to support and promote journalists from the global South. Candidates for the award can come from 41 participating OIF member countries, excluding states from the European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.
Hervé Barraquand, head of projects concerning “free press and media pluralism” at (OIF) explained that the award focuses on the global south because journalists in these countries often work in much more difficult conditions than in developed countries. These countries also often suffer from more restrictions on press freedoms, and journalists from these countries need support to gain a name for themselves on the world stage.
Access to information available through a free press is an essential part of development as it allows for greater awareness and participation in local social movements. Barraquand described, “as actors in political dialogue, the media in fact plays a fundamental role in the diffusion of the values of liberty, tolerance and peace.”
Saget similarly described the importance of free press specifically for Haiti, “the first role of the press is to circulate information, which is vital for a country as undeveloped as Haiti where information is only communicated a little, and poorly.” She continued, “The second important role for development is to alert the public powers and to stimulate reflection on social issues.”
Haiti has a history of political turmoil, which has hindered the country’s development and the citizen’s participation in public affairs. Haiti faces chronic unemployment and a huge income gap between the French speaking minority and the Creole-speaking majority. The justice system is heavily corrupted and infrastructure has been repeatedly destroyed by tropical storms. In the face of these enormous challenges to development, Saget described the press in Haiti as generally distracted from the development issues facing the country. “Unfortunately, Haitian journalists focus on politics without looking into the depth of things. I would hope that they would have a better treatment of the social reality of the country.”
In her story, broadcast on Radio Metropole, “The work conditions of subcontracting workers in Porte-au-Prince” Saget addressed her perceived need of greater exploration of social and development issues in Haiti. She interviewed workers about their experience as subcontractors in the factories. Some workers earn less than $2 per day, which does not cover their living expenses. They also cope with difficult working conditions. One worker described being locked in the factory and being restricted from leaving even to use the restroom.
Saget explained that Haitian journalist tend to censor themselves even with the improved freedom of the press since the democratic election and United Nation intervention in 2004. “Now the situation is better, but journalists are in the habit of self-censorship when they address certain touchy political or economic subjects. Others know that if they attack the major economic or political interests it is at their risk and peril. The current government theoretically guarantees respect for the freedom of expression, but there is endemic insecurity and the justice systems functions poorly.”
Given the difficulty of producing quality reporting in Haiti, it is noteworthy that Saget has dedicated herself to this battle. She sees this as a manner of addressing development issues in Haiti. “This would certainly contribute to Haitians knowing their country and society better and would be profitable for everyone.”
Gaby Saget, a young Haitian journalist, recently won one of two Francophone Free Press Awards. The other winner was Chansophea Ung, of Cambodia who won the award for written journalism. I interviewed Saget about the significance of the free press for development in Haiti, a small island developing state and one of the world’s least developed countries.
The Francophone Free Press Award (Le Prix Jean Hélène) was created in 2001 in an alliance between Radio France International, Reporters without Borders and l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF). With four categories, written, radio, photography and drawing, its goal is to support and promote journalists from the global South. Candidates for the award can come from 41 participating OIF member countries, excluding states from the European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.
Hervé Barraquand, head of projects concerning “free press and media pluralism” at (OIF) explained that the award focuses on the global south because journalists in these countries often work in much more difficult conditions than in developed countries. These countries also often suffer from more restrictions on press freedoms, and journalists from these countries need support to gain a name for themselves on the world stage.
Access to information available through a free press is an essential part of development as it allows for greater awareness and participation in local social movements. Barraquand described, “as actors in political dialogue, the media in fact plays a fundamental role in the diffusion of the values of liberty, tolerance and peace.”
Saget similarly described the importance of free press specifically for Haiti, “the first role of the press is to circulate information, which is vital for a country as undeveloped as Haiti where information is only communicated a little, and poorly.” She continued, “The second important role for development is to alert the public powers and to stimulate reflection on social issues.”
Haiti has a history of political turmoil, which has hindered the country’s development and the citizen’s participation in public affairs. Haiti faces chronic unemployment and a huge income gap between the French speaking minority and the Creole-speaking majority. The justice system is heavily corrupted and infrastructure has been repeatedly destroyed by tropical storms. In the face of these enormous challenges to development, Saget described the press in Haiti as generally distracted from the development issues facing the country. “Unfortunately, Haitian journalists focus on politics without looking into the depth of things. I would hope that they would have a better treatment of the social reality of the country.”
In her story, broadcast on Radio Metropole, “The work conditions of subcontracting workers in Porte-au-Prince” Saget addressed her perceived need of greater exploration of social and development issues in Haiti. She interviewed workers about their experience as subcontractors in the factories. Some workers earn less than $2 per day, which does not cover their living expenses. They also cope with difficult working conditions. One worker described being locked in the factory and being restricted from leaving even to use the restroom.
Saget explained that Haitian journalist tend to censor themselves even with the improved freedom of the press since the democratic election and United Nation intervention in 2004. “Now the situation is better, but journalists are in the habit of self-censorship when they address certain touchy political or economic subjects. Others know that if they attack the major economic or political interests it is at their risk and peril. The current government theoretically guarantees respect for the freedom of expression, but there is endemic insecurity and the justice systems functions poorly.”
Given the difficulty of producing quality reporting in Haiti, it is noteworthy that Saget has dedicated herself to this battle. She sees this as a manner of addressing development issues in Haiti. “This would certainly contribute to Haitians knowing their country and society better and would be profitable for everyone.”
“Broadband gap” hinders economic growth in least developed countries
October 21, 2009
Broadband Internet is an essential tool to connect participants in global business. It allows for open communication, trade and marketing. Yet in the least developed countries Internet access in any capacity is limited and where available is often unreliable and slow. Most African countries rely on dial up Internet connection, which is a much less efficient tool. This limits their ability to participate competitively in e-commerce, presenting a challenge for economic growth.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development recently published a report documenting the effects of the global economic downturn on developing countries. While some technologies are continuing to gain wider use, such as mobile phones, there is a yawning “broadband gap” as developed countries continue to increase broadband access while developing countries lag far behind. Currently a person living in a developed country is 200 times more likely to use broadband Internet than someone living in a least developed country.
Mali is one of the least developed countries and less than 1 percent of the population had access to the Internet in 2008. Dougnon Levy, Director of the Centre Local d’Information et de Communication (Community Learning and Information Center) in Djenné, Mali, describes how the “broadband gap” affects Malians. “We have enormous difficulty accessing the Internet because it is too expensive especially for Malians in the interior [rural areas] of the country. Often there isn’t even the possibility of connecting to the Internet. The consequences of this inaccessibility are enormous. First that means that we are behind others in our training and communication. We are also less informed, so we spend too much time on each activity.”
An earlier report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development explains that improvements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) brings improved performance and market share, particularly if the technological improvements are paired with improved skill by workers. This demonstrates the importance of Internet access for substantial economic growth. The emphasis on skill building along with access reveals a broader issue in the broadband gap. Not only are businesses lagging in infrastructure, they also lack skilled workers to use accessible technology.
High speed Internet is directly beneficial for companies, but it is also an important learning tool for students. For most efficient use, Internet must be accessible to many sectors of society. Improved access to broadband contributes to business growth and allows students as future entrepreneurs and technicians to develop skills to effectively participate in the global marketplace.
Mobile phones are more accessible to developing countries due to pre-paid plans designed for low-income users. 88 percent of mobile phone users in developing countries use such plans, and mobile phone access continues to increase despite the global economic downturn. This demonstrates the readiness of these communities to take advantage of technology available to them. Mobile phones can be used to facilitate economic growth by connecting formerly isolated communities to information and business opportunities. Yann Burtin is a senior operations officer for the Information and Communication Technologies Department of the World Bank Group, which has projects in place to address issues of technology access. He explains, “ICTs, such as radio, telephone, and email, can be of great value in bringing people together, bridging geographic distances, and providing relevant information to the poor.” Just as affordable mobile phones have become essential business tools in developing countries, affordable broadband is an important tool for economic growth.
Already Africans are taking advantage of the limited Internet sources available to them. Dougnon Levy explains, “Internet is very important for Malians because it permits them to access the world. With the Internet, communication has become easier. Local Artisans in Djenné are now able to sell their goods on the Internet.”
Social and Legal Identity Struggles in Mali: the Family Code Controversy
I wrote this in october, but I still think its interesting...so far no news about a revised code.
On July 30 2009 the General Assembly of Mali passed a reformed family code, which is a series of laws specifying how the state will deal with issues of inheritance, marriage, divorce, adoption and similar topics. Mali is a land locked West African country which is 90% Muslim and is an internationally recognized functioning democracy.
Women’s groups had long been advocating for laws to give women greater equality in social and family situations. In 2007 Marie-Louise Sylla, a Paralegal who worked with Le Ministère de la Promotion de la Femme de l’Enfant et de la Famille (the Ministry for the Promotion of the Woman the Child and the Family) explained that while in the constitution men and women were equal, secondary texts like the family code were “completely against women.” Changes to the code were therefore seen as a victory for Women’s groups.
In the new code women were no longer legally ordered to “obey” their husbands, instead husbands and wives owed each other “loyalty, protection, help and assistance." Marriage also required a civil ceremony in addition to any religious ceremony. The former laws included aspects of Sharia and widows were granted only one eighth of their husband’s belongings if they did not remain in the family by remarrying a brother. Under the new code women were given greater inheritance rights and more options for divorce. Yet the new family code was not a complete cultural overhaul as both polygamy and female circumcision, common practices in Mali, were left out of the reforms.
While these changes seemed like important advancements for women’s rights, there were massive protests across the country throughout August. Some women attended the protests, but the majority of participants were men. Mahmoud Dicko, President of the High Islamic Council of Mali voiced concerns with the law code. He found the secularization problematic and unfitting with the current Malian context. “80% of marriages are celebrated solely at the mosques without being confirmed at city hall. There are no marriages celebrated at city hall that don’t also take place at the mosque or church. That doesn’t exist in Mali. So how can marriage be considered a secular act?” The emphasis on the inconsistencies of the new stipulations with existing practices is a central part of this conflict between legal and social reform. Women’s groups hoped legal reform would lead to social change while Dicko criticized the law for not reflecting the current social norms.
Of course an important question is why the code was passed now, given the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and the continuing relevance of Islamic leaders’ opinions in society. There had been a two-year review of the code going on since 2007. However, the code passed right before the General Assembly took recess, and there was little public education or debate before the vote. Some people accuse the President of trying to push it through without engaging the citizenry. Others question the role of international institutions, as the European Union was said to support the reform. The director of a chapter of a grassroots radio station who wished to remain anonymous due to his public profession explained, “it seems that the code is an imposition of the European Union, even though they said that the EU’s aid was not directly to the adoption of the code. That means that indirectly Mali will suffer if the code is not adopted.” Amadou Ongoiba, a Malian jurist and coordinator for L’Association d’Appui Pour le Développement Intégrée (Association for the Support of Integrated Development) a grassroots organization engaged with women’s empowerment says that people consider the code to be “copy and paste” and not a locally designed reform.
Situations such as this illustrate how ideas of modernization and westernization are often confused in post-colonial bureaucracy. The Ministry of Justice published a commentary on the law on August 19. Mamadou Tidiane Membele, the National Director, explained that a goal was to make a text that both respects the traditional and religious laws and international human rights. The issue of imposing laws based on human rights from a top-down governmental policy as opposed to legitimizing local norms in a government context is a continuing aspect of postcolonial discourse in West Africa. Human rights are an important part of the social dialogue in Mali, and there are many non-governmental organizations working towards ensuring people’s rights are respected. However, the activists pushing for legal reform fitting with the human and women’s rights doctrines are considered to be a minority in Mali.
A further issue is that conforming with the human rights doctrine and creating laws stemming from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is framed as being a way to modernize Mali. Mahmoud Dicko took offense with the underlying assertion of the reformed Family Code that modernization entails abandoning Mali’s religious and cultural norms. “We think that we should be civilized while staying how we are. Civilization is not synonymous with disowning ourselves to be what we are not.”
Mali’s President Amadou Toumani Touré had been in full support of the law, but given the backlash he has resubmitted it to the General Assembly for further consideration. While this is a disappointment to those who supported the law, it is an important acknowledgement of popular sentiment. Amadou Ongoiba explains that the new Family Code “does not correspond with the collective consciousness of Malians. The Law is the codification of the realities of a given community at a specific time in its evolution. It is conceived, developed and dies with time.” It is important that the proposed reforms be considered in light of the opinions expressed both by those opposed to the changes and those who support it. Given the controversy over the Family Codes, questions remain as to what degree proposed reforms will acknowledge divergent national and international agendas and the extent to which the legislative proceedings may provide an opportunity for dialogue in Mali between women engaged in the struggle for equality and conservative religious leaders.
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