Statement from WAGGGS on the kidnapping of 200+ girls in Nigeria

The following statement was made by the Word Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts:

12 May 2014

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts (WAGGGS), the largest voluntary movement for girls and young women in the world, are deeply shocked and angered at the kidnapping over 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria. To kidnap girls and young women from the safety of their school is a clear violation of their human rights, to also publicly use the threat of violence against the girls and young women , including sexual violence, is appalling and totally unacceptable. Our thoughts are with the families of the girls and young women who must be suffering unimaginable pain and also with the Nigerian Girl Guides Association as they reach out to support the efforts to #BringBackOurGirls at this time.  

We demand that those responsible return every single girl to safety without delay and call on all international parties to use all resources necessary to secure the safe return of the girls and young women.

More information on #BringBackOurGirls and the kidnapping:

"Boko Haram holds girls, kills 300 Nigerians," USA Today, 7 May 2014

"CNN exclusive: Nigerian girl who escaped Boko Haram says she still feels afraid," CNN, 12 May 2014

"#BBCtrending: #RealMenDontBuyGirls and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign," BBC, 8 May 2014

World Malaria Day this Friday: Google Hangout with Africa Peace Corps Volunteers

This Friday, in honor of World Malaria Day, the Peace Corps will be hosting a Google Hangout with their Peace Corps Volunteers in Africa. The Hangout will be at 10am on Friday and you can RSVP here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/events/cntvu7l2ejbo5coodrnv4hlv46g

According to the Hangout:

April 25th marks World Malaria Day, an opportunity for people around the globe to raise awareness and reenergize their commitment to ending malaria in our lifetime.
This World Malaria Day, Peace Corps Volunteers and their counterparts across Africa will share their personal and professional experiences combating malaria in their communities during a Google Hangout On Air.
You’re invited to join the conversation! Submit questions before and during the event on Facebook (www.facebook.com/stompoutmalaria) or Twitter (www.twitter.com/stompoutmalaria). Make sure to use the hashtag #MalariaHero

Here are some infographics for more information on malaria:

Live: Meeting Africa's Youth Employment Challenge

Live right now on World Bank Live is "Meeting Africa's Youth Employment Challenge," available here: http://live.worldbank.org/africa-youth-employment-challenge

Event Summary:

Eleven million youth are expected to enter Africa’s labor market every year for the next decade and despite a rapid increase in formal sector jobs, the majority of these youth are likely to work on family farms and in household enterprises, often with very low incomes. What are governments, partners, and civil society doing to address the challenge of youth employment in Africa, and what should they be doing? What do we need to know more about to design better policies and programs? An interactive discussion during the World Bank-IMF Spring Meetings brings together ministers, experts, and the private sector to reflect on the challenge and ways forward.

Follow on Twitter at #Jobs4Africa & #AfricasYouth 

FEATURING

Makhtar Diop

Vice President, World Bank Africa Region

Deon Filmer

Lead Economist, Africa Region, World Bank

Hon. Njuguna S. Ndung'u

Governor, Central Bank of Kenya

Hon. Serigne Mbaye Thiam

Minister of Higher Education and Research, Senegal

Simbarashe Mhungu

Managing Director of Harvest Fresh, Zimbabwe

Louise Fox

Visiting Professor, UC Berkeley; Former Lead Economist, Africa Region, The World Bank