Zainab and Asifa: Living In Darker Times

Ashraf Lone

We are living in darker times and these are turning more darker with each passing day. Killing of children in conflict zones like Kashmir, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan is continuing with no stop to these. From 2008 onwards in Kashmir we have seen in popular uprisings, how children have been killed and blinded by state backed forces. Year after year, we are losing innocent children for no fault of their own.  Thousands of children have become victims of these brutal conflicts. Children have also been subjected to sexual exploitation and sexual harassment around the world. These heinous crimes show how much our society has degraded. With so much progress on materialistic level, but morally, the society is going downside.

The year 2018 started with the brutal rape and murder of a 7 year girl child named Zainab, in Kasur, Pakistan. According to reports, Zainab was on her way to Quran recital, when she was abducted and raped and then murdered. The perpetrator of this heinous crime has been arrested thus, with the help of DNA test.  According to a USA Today report, child sexual abuse is rampant in Pakistan and is rarely being addressed. The report can be said true of whole South Asia, where child sexual abuse is rarely addressed. The one report in the USA Today reads:

“Child pornography is readily available in CD shops” in Kasur, said lawyer Mohmmad Waqas. “Videos from the 2015 scandal are still in markets. The parents whose children were taped … were silenced by the powerful people in the area.”

When we were still gripping with this heinous incident, a news about another child sexual abuse and murder came to fore. This time it was from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, where a child named Asifa was raped and then murdered. But in Asifa’s case, not much outrage could be seen on social media and according to one relative, media published the news too late.

According to Zaffar Iqbal, a leader of Gujjar and Bakarwal Students Conference, this community of Gujjar and Bakarwals has always been ignored and only used for vote bank politics.

Looking at this matter from the caste and class angle, it clearly shows how casteism and class consciousness is deeply ingrained in our minds. How we ,while calling ourselves the followers of Islam, the religion of peace and equality, ignore a heinous crime perpetrated on “low caste” Bakarwal community. This has exposed our sick mentality and also exposed how casteist we are. We go aghast on a minor incident with the “celebrity” and celebrate every move of a celebrity kid, but keep criminal silence when it comes to some “lower class” or common person’s serious issue. A person who has no political or celebrity links has to toil before the state in South Asia to get justice and still there is least possibility that he/she would get justice.

The silence of the brigade of elite feminists and socalled intellectuals on this heinous crime has exposed their hypocricy and casteist nature. The Asifa incident has also exposed us a whole,  how we treat  incidents or crimes on “lower class” or common people with different perspective and interest. The lesser mortals had always suffered at the hands of socalled “upper castes”and classes. The difference in treatment vis a vis “lower castes or classes” has always been there.

It was after continuous and prolonged protests of this particular community, that the culprit, a police official, who was also part of the investigating team, has now been  arrested. It is also said that the said policeman used to harass, and beat the protesting people, demanding justice in Asifa’s case. It will be seen how police deals with the culprit,  among its own, wearing uniform and who had taken oath for the protection of people. The involvement of a police official, a protector in this heinous crime has once again exposed the men in uniform. There are thousands of such cases in the J&K state against the men in uniform, but rarely anyone has been prosecuted. The victims are still unable to get justice.

The culprit in Zainab case has also been arrested. Both the criminals have confessed to their crimes. But both the cases have shown how police failed initially to get hold of the real culprits and this has exposed its lackadaisical approach.

The question in everybody’s mind now arises, that how much time will the investigation takes. The earlier experiences show that the investigation has taken long time, and during this other crimes of the same nature have happened continuously. And also sometimes, the real culprits have managed to hoodwink the police and justice system.

The involvement of other big actors cannot be ruled out. With child pornography rampant and easy availability and access of internet, it has made it more easy. The government and law enforcing agencies should ensure that all culprits are brought to justice and justice be served at the earliest to set a good precedent for the future. Only a timely, fair and speedy probe and judgement can ensure to put stop to these kinds of heinous crimes in future to some extent. Zainab and Asifa would be looking towards us from heavens. They will demand answers from us in our conscience, about how we dealt with their abusers and murderers. We must ensure that we have good answers for these little angels. May these little angels, Zainab and Asifa rest in peace.

Child Sexual Abuse: India Has Miles To Go

Ashish Kumar Singh & Shirin Shabana Khan

2017-18 is witnessing a transition where not only the successful (mostly online) campaign #Me-too is shaking our psyche, but also imprisonment to Larry Nassar up to almost 300 years in different cases is painfully relieving for the majority of us.

India’s attitude towards sexual abuse and child sexual abuse needs an overhaul. A survey participated in by more than 45,000 children in the 12- 18 age group, across 26 states in the country, revealed that one in every two children is a victim of child sexual abuse. Conducted by World Vision India with a sample of 45,844 respondents, the survey also revealed that one in every five do not feel safe because of the fear of being sexually abused. It also found that one in four families do not come forward to report child abuse.

According to the report on crimes in India for 2016, 106,958 cases of crimes against children were recorded in 2016. Of these, 36,022 cases were recorded under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. The number of cases registered for child abuse raised from 8,904 in the year 2014 to 14,913 in the year 2015, under the POSCO Act. Sexual offences and kidnapping account for 81% of the crimes against minors. State wise cases under POSCO Act: Uttar Pradesh led the highest number of child abuse cases (3,078) followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,687 cases), Tamil Nadu (1,544 cases), Karnataka (1,480 cases) and Gujarat (1,416 cases).

A report by Human Rights Watch titled “Breaking the Silence: Child Sexual Abuse in India” stated that “While great awareness has been raised about sexual violence against women in India, much less is known about the problem of sexual abuse of children. Studies suggest that more than 7,200 children, including infants, are raped every year; experts believe that many more cases go unreported.” An Indian government-sponsored survey in 2007, based on interviews with 12,500 children in 13 different states, reported serious and widespread sexual abuse, thereby putting the government on notice about the gravity of the problem.

From Jharkhand to Uttar Pradesh:

Life took a serious turn for 15 years old Radha (name changed), when her relatives sold her to a brick kiln owner in Kerakat town in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh on January, 2012. Radha was sexually abused by the brick kiln owner Baju Yadav for more than two months. Radha is a resident of Chakradharpur in Singhbhum district, Jharkhand state of India. In her testimony she said, “I was with my family when a woman called Shanti visited us and told me to come with her. She was from the same village so I trusted her. She said she was going to take me to a fair. But this woman had tricked me and forced me to go to the brick kiln factory. There I had to work for the owner, doing his cooking and cleaning, and also massage him. Two days after I arrived he forced himself on me. He used to give me a tablet, then he would force himself on me. My room was next to where the owner worked and every time he wanted me, he would come to my room. He would come two or three times a day. I told that woman Shanti that I didn’t like it, and she said that “If you tell anyone, the owner will kill you.” One day I opposed it, and the owner beat me up brutally. I was so scared. The brick kiln owner was in his sixties, had no teeth, used to drink a lot, and force me to drink alcohol as well. When I refused, he used to hit me. I’m still in pain from the rapes.”

When Radha reported her ordeal to Shanti Devi, she rebuked Radha and warned against reporting the incident to anyone else. Shanti Devi has been working at Baju Yadav’s brick kiln for the past seven years and also have illicit relation with him. Unable to bear the trauma, on 20 March, 2017 Radha somehow managed to flee from Baju’s brick kiln and reached her relatives ‘s house Palu Devi living in the same village. After that a chain reaction started and resulted in accidental death of Battan Mushahar. The case reached to the People Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), which helped Radha and Paulo Devi family to flee from hiding place. To ensure safety of the girl and those of her relatives, they had short shelter in PVCHR office. PVCHR took up the case of Radha to National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, National Commission for Women, New Delhi, National Schedule Caste Commission, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, SHO- Kerakat, District Magistrate Jaunpur, Superintendent of Police – Jaunpur and filed Right to Information applications asking further details about the case.

Radha, in her interview to human rights watch for the report Breaking the silence Child Sexual abuse in India on says that an improperly conducted medical examination in Varanasi after she was repeatedly raped in February and March 2012 is impeding her legal case. They took her to the police and to a hospital, where a doctor carried out a medico-legal “two-finger test.”

On the basis of this degrading and unscientific test, the doctor stated that Radha had not been raped. As a result, the police have refused to listen to her complaint and investigate the man she said had raped her repeatedly.

Radha, with the support of PVCHR, is challenged the doctor’s findings. In September 2012 the police in her home district in Jharkhand agreed that Radha’s testimony could form the basis of a charge against her alleged assailant. After intervention FIR was lodged against Shanti Jamuda (ii) Baiju Yadav in crime no. 135/2012 u/s 372/ 374/376/34 IPC and 3(3)(6) SC/ST Act against Shanti Jamuda (ii) Baiju Yadav. The case after investigation had been submitted to the court for trial. A case u/s 304A IPC was registered at crime no. 136/2012 at PS Kairakat on 21.03.2012 against Bejnath, Rajmath, Gulab and Dinesh. In which charge sheet was submitted on 09.05.2012 and the matter is sub judice in court The IGP Varanasi had submitted report to NHRC dated 20.02.2017. DIG Zone got the enquiry conducted through SP Jaunpur and Additional SP Rural report had been submitted. According to the report, there are allegations that Ms. Radha Jamuda d/o Saluda was kept bonded by brick kiln owner Baiju Yadav. She was sexually exploitated. However these allegations were over looked by SI Sabhajeet Singh, HC Satya Dev Srivastava and Gurdip Singh Sarna, the then Inspector Kherakat. Km. Radha was not examined, they tried to conceal the offence and committed breach of duty.

The enquiry officer found HC Satya Dev Srivastava, SI Sabhajeet Singh and Inspector Gurdip Singh Sarna guilty of delriction of duty and for not registering the case under the relevant provision of law and case under 166A IPC had been registered against the police officers. Commission had considered the report. There are facts in the report dated 20.02.2017 submitted by IGP Varanasi report dated 20.02.2017 that a complaint was lodged by Surender s/o Sehli r/o Triyani, PS Kairakat, District Jaunpur, regarding the death of his son Bunti in accident of tractor on 21.03.2012 and case no. 136.2012 u/s 304A IPC was registered against the Bejnath, Rajmath, Gulab and Dinesh in which charge sheet was submitted. On the report of Additional SP Jaunpur, the same is under reinvestigation u/s 173(8) Cr.P.C. Commission has considered the report of IGP Varanasi. The complainant allegation are in respect of sexual exploitation of Km. Radha d/o Saluka Jamuda r/o West Singhbhum District, Jharkhand by brick kiln owner Mr. Baiju Yadav. How the case instituted on the report of Surender against Bejnath and others is connected with the complaint in question, needs clarification. Commission directs IGP Varanasi Zone to submit the typed legible duly authenticated copy of FIR of crime no. 136/2012 u/s 304A IPC instituted at PS Kairakot, Jaunpur and the chargesheet filed in that case to this Commission urgently through special messenger in sealed cover within two weeks.

The Hon’ble Member in the Case No. 8542/24/39/2012 has directed on 3.11.2017 as under : – “Case Crime No.429/17 under section 166A IPC has been registered against Gurdeep Singh Sarna, the then SHO Kerakat, Jaunpur, SI Sabhajeet Singh and Chief Constable Satyadev Srivastava which is under investigation and directions have been issued to conclude the same on merits expeditiously. It is stated that in case of the victim of rape Radha case crime No.135/12 u/s 372/374/376/34 IPC r/w Section 3(3)(6) SC/ST Act has been filed against Shanti Jamuda w/o late Godo Jamuda and Baiju Yadav s/o Sahdev Yadav. After the investigation, charge-sheet has been filed in the court. Vide report dated 12.9.2017 it has been stated that 25% of Rs. 1,00,000/- (compensation under SC/ST(PoA) Act) has been paid to the victim vide cheque No.581748 dated 16.8.2017. The Commission has taken a very serious view of the matter. Despite the directions by the Commission to pay a compensation of Rs. 1,00,000/- vide its proceedings dated 26.12.2016 no proof of payment has been received till date. Let a reminder be issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of UP to pay a sum of Rs. 1,00,000/- on account of compensation to the victim Radha and submit the proof of payment within four weeks. The Chief Secretary, UP be also asked to submit as to i) why the compensation as provided under rule 11 & 12 of the SC/ST (POA) Act amounting to Rs. 1,80,000/- (50% of the amount to be paid at the time of medical examination) has not been paid. ii) why compensation under rule 21 of the SC/ST (POA) Act (full cost of education and maintenance of the child, provision of utensils, rice, etc. for three months) has not been paid to the victim. He is also directed to send The progress of Enquiry dated 15.11.2013 against the erring official, pending before the administration and status of the investigation of Case Crime No.429/17 within four weeks.” The Commission perused the record and observed that in Case No. 8542/24/39/2012 monetary compensation has already been recommended by the Commission. Therefore, there is no justification for continuing with this case i.e. Case No. 1405/34/18/2013-WC. Therefore, the case No. 1405/34/18/2013-WC is closed.

Despite commitments and laws in place to ensure the protection of children, the rulers of independent India have not succeeded to generate effective oversight mechanisms that could prevent much of the child sexual abuse from taking place. Existing schemes, and departments, courts, local government administrations, children’s institutional care facilities, schools, and doctors, are simply not doing enough to help victims after sexual abuse has been identified, or to ensure that perpetrators are punished. There is a clear need to sensitize the population towards such issues. Cases such as of Radha, and the overall treatment of it, are as Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi puts it “clear examples of the failure of the criminal justice system and mechanism for elimination of trafficking and rape. Hegemonic masculinity based on patriarchy and caste system is haunting society and contributing for negative conflict, impunity, and injustice.”

Canada’s Deep Systemic Racial Bias

Jim Miles

The news was released tonight (Friday, February 09) at about 18:30h that the jury in the trial of a Canadian farmer near Battleford, Saskatchewan found him not guilty for the murder of a young native, Colten Boushie. Boushie was killed August 09, 2016.

The episode highlights, for those who care to examine the case, the underlying powerful racial prejudice that exists in Canada today. After the arrest of the farmer social media became filled with racially biased comments, supporting the farmer because of the belief that “Indigenous people are responsible for rising crime in rural Saskatchewan which is leaving farmers scared and with no alternative but violence.”

When the police informed Boushie’s family about the murder, they did not offer any support, but then proceeded to search the home. This is the same RCMP that is up against about 2800 sexual abuse/misconduct charges within its own ranks. If they operate that way internally, it can only be hypothesized that their actions externally are of the same quality.

Background

Racial prejudice is systemic in Canada. It is part of our colonial-settler heritage as the Indian bands were displaced through treaty lies, guns, germs, and steel. Across the Prairies in particular, the Indians – who originally traded fairly with the new European arrivals – were soon pushed out through starvation. The large herds of millions of buffalo the Indians depended on were slaughtered in order to open up the land for farmers, leaving them open to starvation, disease, and subsequent displacement.

Following the many different “resettlement” schemes (really ethnic cleansing) the European settler-colonial governments morphed into more formal government structures that systematically attempted to destroy Indian culture. This occurred through laws banishing Indian religious rituals, denied access to lawyers, stole/kidnapped/removed children from their families and forced them into mostly religious schools where the children suffered various kinds of abuse – physical, emotional, and sexual.

This was complemented by a series of Indian hospitals that again removed children from their families and placed them in abusive environments ostensibly for their health. Accompanying all this was the systemic bias of the imposed culture itself and its British/Christian imperial heritage in which Indians were simply savages that needed “civilizing”. It ran – and runs – through the governments, the judicial, and the legislative parts of our government as well as within the media.

But back to the courtroom

After the court’s not guilty verdict some of the details of the trial demonstrate this racial bias. In his defense the farmer said that when he leaned into Boushie’s car to get the keys the gun “accidentally” fired. As reported on the news, supporting this argument was an argument made by a non-witness and non-expert that guns will sometimes “delay” “somehow” when they are fired. Before the verdict, the courts, the police, and the civic leaders were asking everyone to remain calm, an obvious sign they acknowledged the deep racial divide within the community.

Given the RCMP actions, given the inherent racial bias, given the poor testimony as presented in the news, at the least this case calls for a retrial. It also should be the basis of a demand for a parliamentary/judicial inquiry – containing civilians outside the system of both races. Should the current Liberal government fail to do so only adds to the frustration of the Indian people in face of current government actions that seem to be only paying lip service to the Indian population without actually doing anything but harvesting media publicity as being good guys and gals.

Solutions

Solutions are difficult because the white residents of the country are loath to give up some of their privileges and some of their stolen wealth. Most treaties have not been honoured except for the lip service of consultation concerning matters that might concern them (e.g. hydro electric dams, mines, forestry, agriculture, infrastructure).

The Royal Proclamation of 1763 provided British Royal protection to Indian lands – at the time as a means of securing territory against the French and British, but being upheld in courts of law ever since. The Indian Act of 1876 carries this forward, but more generally acts as a governmental means of controlling Indian actions across Canada – giving the government control of Indian lands, financing, status, settlements, et al. The Canadian Constitution Act incorporates these previous Acts but again provides limits that essentially allow for continued misrepresentation of all original treaties.

The real solution, as I have argued several times before to the government of Canada, involves honouring those treaties to their full intent (not the European forked tongue intent but the commonly represented understanding). It involves reparations for lands damaged or removed by various settler processes – the railways, and especially in the Prairies the land grant process used to encourage more white farmers to settle the area, now conveniently devoid of Indians.

It involves returning land to the Indians, current manufacturing and resource harvesting industries not withstanding. The latter could continue subject to acceptance of the Indians involved who were more than likely never consulted in the first place if it had an impact on their treaty rights for hunting, fishing, harvesting, and cultural practices (all recognized in the above documents). Or as in the provinces of British Columbia, Quebec, the Maritimes and much of the north, the vast majority of the land still belongs to the Indians who retain unceded title.

Another large step would be the removal of the Indian Act and its archaic and ethnically prejudiced laws in order to truly deal with the Indians “nation to nation.”

The current Trudeau government has argued that the government of Canada needs to honour this nation to nation relationship. Apart from a few apologies, and a few commissions (another relic of the British empire that more closely resembles an avoidance mechanism), their has been no apparent implementation of much that assists the Indians of Canada.

First step

The first step is as indicated above, to have a retrial with a representative jury, or an investigation that covers the evidence, the RCMP handling of the case, and the role of the judiciary[1] and government within the overall structure of the Constitution and the UN Treaty on Indigenous Rights. I am no authority on the trial or its arguments, but what was presented through the media (mostly the CBC) indicates that much needs to be done in order to overcome Canada’s systemic racial prejudices toward its Indians.

[1] It should be noted that the Indian bands have been quite successful with actions moved before the Supreme Court, usually land claims. The criminal courts, the lower courts, are where this comment’s intention refers.

Asma Jahangir- An Exceptional Human Rights Activist Is No More

Vivek Kumar Srivastava

Asma Jahangir (1952-2018), the leading Human Rights activist of Pakistan who influenced generations of activists in South Asia is no more. She died in Lahore due to a cardiac arrest. A sad news for all those who has stood for the human rights protection and enhancement of the humane values in the contemporary world. Whenever any issue of human rights emerged in Pakistan she was there to take lead and impress the authorities to take the right path.

She took the cause of human rights in 1980s.a time when these concepts and issues were considered as a western ideas but she succeeded in placing the human rights issue in the centre of the mainstream political discussions which helped to restrain the unrestricted powers of the political leaders by awakening the masses.

She took the cause in true spirits and confronted two military rulers. She was a key activist in 2007 Judicial movement against the military leader in Pakistan which gradually led to the establishment of democratic political system in Pakistan.

She cofounded the Human Rights Commission in a country where authoritarian and retrogressive forces always dominated, where the space for women, weaker section was always restricted to live honoured life. She fought for these and her multidimensional work encompassed the women who were oppressed, the bonded labours which has been a persistent problem in the South Asian society, also confronted with unflinching spirit the orthodox communities with unflinching spirit.

All these are noteworthy contribution to the cause of human rights due to one major fact that in the human rights movement she placed the women as contributor higher than the contribution of the males. No one in South Asia including Pakistan can match her contribution and this makes her unique women and an activist who is class apart as she fought single handed and in that age when talks and discussions about human rights were considered as an issue beyond the domain of the common people.

Her death makes the society miser and human rights movement a little shaky in Pakistan as her continuous efforts in the conservative society will be missed. This is the time to realize the value of the leader and to take leanings and inspirations from such great souls. Her message is clear that human rights protection is possible only by sustained and collective efforts as people in power create often the barriers for free and dignified living in order to maintain their power structure. She spoke at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva, 13 March 2016 that ‘broad and vague definition of certain offences, disrespect for the right of any accused to be promptly informed about charges against him or her, preventing the accused from freely choosing their legal representation are all contributing factors to violations of the right to fair trial and due process of law.’ This is her one of the last analysis of human life at a global platform.

Her departure from the stage of earth which is meant for only courageous and committed people for a cause is now full of vacuum. It will take time to fill the void as people like her rarely visit the planet. It is a pressing time and need is to realize her contribution and work in unison to protect the lives of all those who are at margin of their fundamental rights.

Denuclearising the Korean Peninsula: US Policy and China's Role

Sandip Kumar Mishra


In almost every commentary on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes, China's role is acknowledged as crucial. If China - North Korea's main ally - decides to put ‘maximum pressure’ on the country by implementing UN sanctions in their letter and spirit, it would be impossible for North Korea to sustain its defiance. China not only constitute more than 85 per cent of North Korea's external trade but also shares around 80 per cent of its land border with the country. From the beginning of his term, US President Donald Trump has been trying to bring China on board and work for the denuclearisation of North Korea. Trump and his team have had several rounds of contact with China to convince them that North Korea must be denuclearised and China must cooperate to achieve this goal. Trump has also show encouragement by praising China for any small step aimed at putting pressure on North Korea. However, after a year, the US now seems tired and frustrated.

In recent months, Trump has openly expressed his frustration with China’s secret trade and economic exchanges with North Korea. Now, the US policy has changed from requesting China’s cooperation to naming and shaming and putting pressure on China to do more on the issue. However, the new US policy, like its predecessor, will likely also have limited impact on China’s approach towards North Korea in general and its nuclear and missile programmes in particular.

In fact, China agrees with the US that the North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and its provocative behaviour must be checked. However, to assume that this broad agreement would be sufficient for China to fully contribute to the US plan to deal with North Korea is wishful thinking. China may share with the US a common goal in the denuclearisation of North Korea but there are several other reasons why China’s role will not be as per US expectations.

First, there is a difference in priorities with regard to North Korea's denuclearisation and survival. For the US, denuclearisation of is of the utmost importance, and North Korea’s survival may be compromised to achieve this goal. On the contrary, for China, North Korea’s survival is primary and even if denuclearisation is not achieved in the short and medium-terms, Beijing will not find losing North Korea as a buffer state an acceptable proposition. 

Second, unlike the US, China is against threatening the North Korean regime bilaterally. Trump and his administration have regularly made provocative statements against North Korea and its leader. With US' anti-missile defence system and all types of war machinery in and around the Korean Peninsula and its regular joint military exercises with South Korea, there is no possibility that North Korea will revise its strong resolve to remain nuclear. In fact, these military developments have further led North Korea to believe that nuclear weapons are its only deterrent against the US' aggressive intent.  

Third, China would like to be the prime-mover in regional politics. If the denuclearisation initiative is seen as being carried out under the leadership of the US, there is less incentive for China to be sufficiently active. China wants a non-nuclear North Korea in its neighbourhood but with itself as the prime-mover.

Fourth, China may think about abandoning North Korea by fully cooperating with international sanctions. However, in return, it would definitely like South Korea to equally distance itself from the US in the region. China would not like to lose an old friend without gaining at least another in return.

Fifth, even though China does not openly recognise it, China has far less leverage over North Korea's behaviour than popularly believed. North Korea is aware that both countries need each other to serve their national interests and regional equation. North Korea, so far, has used the fact to its advantage and has been able to exercise autonomy in its defence and security policy. 

Thus, the belief that that China could be brought on board for a US-initiated strategy to denuclearise North Korea is flawed. Even though there have been signs of a more cooperative China helping implement the UN sanctions on North Korea, and several reports that China-North Korea trade has been shrinking, the reality is much more complex. To be able to bring China along to denuclearise North Korea, the international community and the US must acknowledge these complex realities and refrain from wishful thinking. 

Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship for Female Students in African Countries 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 30th April 2018

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: African Union Member Countries

To be taken at (country): African Union Member Countries

About the Award: The Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme was launched in 2007 
with the aim of contributing to the production and retention of high caliber African human capital for sustainable development of the continent in critical development areas, while promoting regional integration through intra-Africa mobility of students. The Scholarship Scheme is intended to enable young Africans to study in reputable African Universities with a binding agreement that beneficiaries will work in any African country for at least the same duration of scholarship period after graduation.

Fields of Study: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Type: Masters, PhD

Eligibility: To be eligible for the Scholarship, a candidate must:

• Be a Female Citizen of an African Union Member State
• Be under the age of thirty five (35) years for Masters Programmes; and under forty (40) years for PhD Programmes.
• Be a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in the relevant field, at the level of Upper Second Class Honours for a Masters’ Programme; and a holder of Masters’ Degree in the relevant field for a PhD Programme. The degree must be from a reputable University
• Have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement as evidenced by academic transcripts, and academic awards if any.
• Have proof of admission to undertake a full time Masters or PhD programme in a recognized university of an African Union Member State.
• Be willing to commit to work in an African Union Member State on completion of studies for at least three (3) years.

Selection Criteria: The Scholarships are granted on academic merit and based on a rigorous selection process.

Number of Awardees: 

• Undergraduate Degree Programmes (4 Scholarships)
• Master’s Degree Programmes (2 Scholarships )

Value of Scholarship: The scholarship award covers the following:

• Tuition Fees: According to an official invoice from the Host University.
• Stipend: 500 US$ monthly, to support living expenses such as housing, food, utilities, local transportation and medication.
• Book Allowance: An allowance of 500 US$ per year for the purchase of books.
• Air ticket: A round-trip economy fare for the most direct route between the beneficiary’s home country and the study destination of host Institute.
• Travel Allowance:
  • One-off payment of 250 US$ to contribute towards ground transportation from airport and settling-in costs
  • One-off payment of 350 US$ to assist with shipping and other terminal expenses; upon departure from the host Institution after successful completion of the study.
• Computer Allowance: One-off payment of 1,000 US$ for the purchase of laptop computer and accessories.

Duration of Scholarship: The Masters programme should be of two years duration; while the PhD programme should be of three years duration.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should complete the Application Form in PDF format as well as the EXCEL Applicants’ Data Sheet, which are available on the Africa Union website:
www.au.int/en/scholarship
The applicants should submit their formal application which should include the following:

• Completed application form
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Summarized CV with names and contacts of two referees.
• Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts
• Certified copies of Passport or national Identity Card indicating citizenship
• Copy of admission letter from a reputable African University
• Two (2) Reference Letters with contact addresses.
• An essay of not more than 500 words that explains why the candidate has chosen her particular field of study and its importance to Africa’s development.

Note that Electronic Copies of all the above documents should be submitted.
Applicants must scan and produce electronic copies of all the above documents (converted to PDF format) and send to the following e-mail address.
OlgaA@africa-union.org
copied to
mwalimunyerere@africa-union.org
In addition two (2) sets of hard copies of the above documents must be sent by post to the address below.
Mwalimu Nyerere Scholarship Programme
Education Division
Department of Human Resources, Science and Technology
African Union Commission
P.O. Box 3243
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Visit Scholarship Webpage for details

Award Provider: Mwalimu Nyerere African Union Scholarship Scheme, African Union.

Important Notes: Candidates must complete all academic work within the specified period of the programme as the scholarship cannot be extended.

Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) Prize for Creativity in Women’s Rural Life 2018

Application Deadline: 30th April 2018

Eligible Countries: All

About the Award: The Prize aims to draw international attention to laureates’ contributions to sustainable development, food security and peace, thus generating recognition and support for their initiatives and projects. While rural women are vital in providing examples of sound practices in their communities, they still do not have full access to tools needed for development, such as education, credit, land rights and participation in decision making. By highlighting and awarding creative development leaders and their work, innovations and experiences enhancing the quality of rural life, WWSF participates in empowering rural women in their contribution to end rural poverty, improve gender equality, and advance women’s rights to peace and well-being.

Type: Award

Eligibility: 

• Nominees should be women and women’s groups currently active in rural life whose efforts have not yet been acknowledged by other awards. They may not nominate themselves.
• The nominating organization or individual must have direct experience of the nominee’s work. The nominator may not nominate a family member, be a member of the nominated organization, nor can an organization nominate its senior officer (i.e. founder, president etc.). No more than 3 candidates may be presented by the same person/organization in the same year. The nominator commits, if possible, to organize an award ceremony if the candidate is selected for the Prize and invites the local and/or national media.

Selection Criteria: The long-term impact of the Prize depends on the integrity of the nominators and the quality of their nominations. The Prize is an award for successful accomplishments rather than a fund for future projects. The nominee’s history (2-3 pages) should demonstrate the creativity, courage and sometimes sacrifice in her efforts at the grass roots to improve life in rural communities. Descriptions should be as specific as possible.
Any of the following elements should be emphasized:

• Exceptional courage and perseverance in improving rural life
• Creativity in the approach
• Preservation of and respect for the environment
• Continuing impact on the community
• Supporting the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals
• Actively participating, if possible, in the annual WWSF 17 Days Campaign for the Empowerment of rural women andtheir communities 1-17 October with one or several topics.

Prize laureates are selected by an international Jury composed of WWSF Board of Directors; are announced officially in October, and celebrated in their countries on 15 October – International Day of Rural Women.

Number of Awards: WWSF has a commitment to award annually between 5-10 creative rural women and women’s groups around the world.

Value of Award: US$ 1000 per laureate

How to Apply: Nominations must include the following items:

• Original signed letter of nomination indicating how the nominator knows the nominee and for how long.
• Biographical data on the nominee (full name, age, education, place of work, background) and a detailed history of the nominee’s creative project (written by the nominator) including her motivation, innovative aspects, any obstacles overcome, and the impact in the community. Nominations must specify whether the nominee has received or is currently being nominated for other awards.
• At least two original and signed endorsement letters from organizations or individuals other than the nominator and, if possible, additional supporting materials such as newspaper articles or publications.
• A few labeled photographs clearly showing the candidate for possible publication

download the nomination form in Pdf format

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: WWSF

African Leadership Centre (ALC) Peace, Security & Development Fellowships for African Scholars 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 23:59 hrs, 8th April 2018.

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: African countries

To be taken at (country): Kings College London, UK. Candidate’s home country

About the Award: The Peace, Security and Development Fellowships for African Scholars seeks to nurture junior African Scholars interested in pursuing a career in peace and security and to equip them with the skills necessary to achieve this. This training will conclude with attachments of Fellows to Universities in Africa working on development, peace and security issues where Fellows will participate in research and teaching. The programme will contribute to building academic expertise on peace and security that is grounded in the pursuit of excellence and integrity. They are funded by the Carnegie Corporation, New York.
The ALC aims to build a new community of leaders generating cutting edge knowledge on peace, security and development. To this end, the ALC undertakes to do the following:

• Taught MScs on Security, Leadership and Society, including mentoring and institutional attachments;
• Peacebuilding and Security research – with a focus on “Future Peace and the Role of the State in Africa”;
• Consolidating partnerships with African universities through transfer of specified and joint research outputs into virtual learning across partner institutions;
• Creating and strengthening digital knowledge transfer platforms and policy influencing processes.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: 

• In order to be considered eligible, candidates must have citizenship in an African country.

• Successful candidates must hold valid travel documents prior to acceptance.

• The competition is open only to junior faculty members based in universities in Africa from departments of political science; international relations; history; law; development studies; peace; security and conflict studies, and related departments.

• Candidates need to demonstrate an interest in pursuing careers in the field of peace, security and development. Previous study or engagement with the issues of security and development is not required. However candidates must demonstrate a basic familiarity with these issues.

• Candidates must additionally be able to demonstrate capacity to undertake research on issues relating to peace and security in Africa. Successful candidates will be attached to a Research Cluster where they will work with ALC Research Associates and Senior Research Fellows to undertake research on select aspects of the ALC Research Agenda on “Future Peace and the Role of the State in Africa”.

• Candidates will be expected to have a clear plan on how to utilise knowledge gained in the Fellowship upon returning to their countries and academic institutions.

• Candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English.

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following values during the application phase: Independent thinking; Integrity; Pursuit of excellence; and respect for all forms of diversity.

Number of Awardees:  Not specified

Value of Fellowship: This is a fully funded opportunity, not including any visa application and processing costs. Funds will be made available to cover tuition, subsistence in the UK and Africa, accommodation, research-related costs, and all travel expenses related to the programme. However, successful applicants are expected to find their own accommodation both in the UK and Africa. In the UK successful candidates will be able to apply for University of London accommodation, and they can also make their own accommodation arrangements. Candidates are strongly advised to make all necessary accommodation arrangements well in advance of taking up their positions at King’s College London. Information on KCL student accommodation can be found at this link:

Duration of Fellowship: This Fellowship covers an 18-month period, comprising a rigorous training and research programme on peace, security and development, which includes a 12-Month MSc programme at King’s College London and a six-month attachment to an African University to undertake an independent research project.

How to Apply: Applicants to the Fellowship Programme must make individual applications to the MSc Security, Leadership and Society by 23:59 hrs, Sunday 8th April 2018.
The following documents are required, before your application will be considered complete:

• A letter of application detailing your relevant experience and qualifications.
• A supporting statement no longer than 1,000 words, detailing why you think that this programme is important and your future plans for engagement with peace and security research.
• 2 letters of recommendation (To be received directly from the Referees by the deadline of 23:59 hrs, Sunday 8th April 2018).
• Recent curriculum vitae.
• One writing sample (maximum 1000 words).
• One research proposal of no more than 1000 words on a topic dealing with any one of the following 5 sets of questions:
  • What is the predominant vision of peace among Africa’s youth and future leaders? What are the greatest sources of insecurity for African youth?
  • What leadership issues confront a next generation of youth seeking to build and sustain peace?
  • What can we learn about African youth experiences for future discourses about the governance of security and development?
  • How are the dynamics in African societies and societal responses to security and development challenges compelling a change in the state?
  • How are African regional organisations responding to the rapidly changing African security landscape?
• Please indicate in your application letter, if you have completed the University application (Note that you are required to submit your application to the MSc Security, Leadership and Society, as detailed above by the deadline of 23:59 hrs, Sunday 8th April 2018).

All supporting documents should be submitted via the online portal. Please note that no email applications will be accepted. If you are experiencing problems with the online application portal, please contact us at admissions@africanleadershipcentre.org. We encourage all applicants to submit their applications early to avoid delays and failure to submit because of technical challenges.

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details

Award Providers: The African Leadership Centre jointly with King’s College London and University of Nairobi

Important Notes: Applicants to the Fellowship Programme must make individual successful applications to the MSc Security, Leadership and Society by 23:59 hrs, Sunday 30th April 2017. The MSc is a separate but parallel application procedure handled by King’s College London, rather than ALC. To be accepted on to the Fellowship, applicants must be accepted on both the MSc programme by King’s and the Fellowship Programme by ALC.

African Leadership Centre (ALC) Peace and Security Fellowship for African Women 2018/2019

Application Deadline: 8th April 2018.

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: African countries

To be taken at (country): Kings College London, UK. Candidate’s home country

About the Award: This Fellowship is an intellectual and financial award to those who are able to portray convincing demonstrable or potential capacity to bring about intellectual, policy or other change in their field. The Fellowship is a postgraduate non-degree programme, and does not lead to an academic qualification. Since October 2011 the ALC, King’s College London and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Nairobi, have delivered the Peace and Security Fellowships for African Women in partnership.
The Fellowships bring together African women in the early stages of their careers to undertake a carefully designed training programme in conflict, security and development. This training is followed by an attachment to an African Regional Organisation or a Centre of Excellence to acquire practical experience in the field of peace and security. It is intended that this project will train African women to develop a better understanding of African peace and security issues, in order to increase their participation in conflict management processes and other areas of security concerns for Africans.

Offered Since: 2011

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility:

• Candidates must be female citizens of African countries.
• Successful candidates must hold valid travel documents prior to acceptance.
• Candidates must have knowledge of, or experience of women’s rights, gender anddevelopment issues.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate a commitment to contribute to work on peace and security in Africa.
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate capacity to undertake research on issues relating to peace and security in Africa.
• Candidates must demonstrate commitment to the core values of the programme: Independent thinking; Integrity; Pursuit of Excellence; and Respect for all forms of Diversity
• Candidates must have a relevant institutional base and be endorsed by an organisation with which they have been involved for at least two years. Exceptional candidates without such organisational ties may be given special consideration.
• Candidates must have a demonstrable plan for how to utilise knowledge gained in the Fellowship upon return to their countries and/ or organisations.
• Candidates must hold a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with an equivalent level of professional experience.
• Candidates must be fluent in spoken and written English

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: 

• This is a fully funded opportunity, not including any visa application and processing costs. Funds will be made available to the Fellows to cover tuition, subsistence in the UK and Africa, and travel expenses related to the programme in both phases.
• While funding will be made available to pay for accommodation, successful applicants are expected to find their own accommodation both in the UK and Africa. Fellows are strongly advised to make all necessary accommodation arrangements prior to taking up their positions on the Fellowship Programme.

Duration of Fellowship: This is a one-year Fellowship, divided into two six-month phases.

• Phase 1: The first phase will be delivered at the ALC, Nairobi and King’s College London. During the training, the Fellows will be encouraged to engage critically with the discourse on conflict, security and development in Africa. They will also visit and study institutions working in the field of peace and security in Africa and Europe. This phase will include a simulation seminar series during which mock conflict management situations will be practiced.
• Phase 2: In the second phase, Fellows will be attached to an African regional organisation or Centre of Excellence to undertake practical work in the field of peace and security including peace and conflict management processes.

How to Apply: Applications will be accepted Online at the following link:  Peace and Security Fellowship for African Women .
The following documents are required, before your application will be considered complete:

• A letter of application detailing your relevant experience and qualifications.
• A supporting statement no longer than 1,000 words, detailing why you think that this programme is important and future plans for engagement with peace and security issues.
• 2 letters of recommendation (To be received directly from the Referees by the deadline of 23:59 hrs, Sunday 8th April 2018.)
• Recent curriculum vitae.
• Two writing samples ((maximum 2000 words each – example can include original research paper, extracts from dissertation, essay paper, policy paper relevant to peace and security).

All supporting documents should be submitted via the online portal. Please note that no email applications will be accepted. If you are experiencing problems with the online application portal, please contact us at admissions@africanleadershipcentre.org . We encourage all applicants to submit their applications early to avoid delays and failure to submit because of technical challenges.

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details

Award Provider: African Leadership Centre, King’s College London, University of Nairobi

Piet Rietveld Scholarship for Students in Developing Countries 2018 – Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam

Application Deadline: 1st April 2018

Eligible Countries: Developing Countries

To Be Taken At (Country): The Netherlands

About the Award: The Piet Rietveld Scholarship was established by the School of Business and Economics and the Department of Spatial Economics in memory of the late Professor Piet Rietveld (1952-2013), Head of the Department of Spatial Economics in the years 2002-2013. The master’s programme offers a yearly single scholarship for an excellent student in the programme originating from a developing country. Especially Indonesian students are encouraged to apply.

Field of Study: Eligible candidates should be admitted to the Spatial, Transport and Environmental Economics master’s degree programme at VU Amsterdam.

Type: Masters

Eligibility: Successful applicants for the scholarship must have a minimum level of English in order to obtain a visa.

Number of Awards: 1

Value of Award: The scholarship covers the yearly tuition fee, and provides an allowance of € 3000 towards living costs.

Duration of Program: 1 year

How to Apply:

• Send a CV, a Grade List, and a Letter of Motivation to the following e-mail address: jos.van.ommeren@vu.nl.
• Please apply simultaneously for admittance to the master’s programme, insofar as you have not done so already.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: Vrije Universiteit, The Netherlands

African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Post-doctoral Fellowships on Mobility & Sociality in Africa’s Emerging Urban 2018

Application Deadline: 1st March 2018

Eligible Countries: African Countries

To Be Taken At (University): Fellows may be embedded at one of the following institutions:

• University of Cape Town
• University of Ghana, Legon
• University of Nairobi
• University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
• University of Zimbabwe, Harare

About the Award: This initiative is a scholarly response to unprecedented levels of urbanisation and mobility driven by conflict, ambition, and respatialising economies. It is intended to develop African-based contributions to theories of human mobility and transforming modes of social engagement, authority, representation, and expression.
This initiative brings together five African universities dedicated to cultivating a generation of African scholars dedicated to reshaping global social theory and scholarly conversations on mobility, cities, and social change. It promises to open novel scholarly frontiers and enhance pedagogy and partnerships in ways that positively transform the continent’s universities. The initiative is dedicated to fostering interdisciplinarity, engagement with the arts, and creative research and outreach methodologies.

Field of Study: Post-doctoral fellowship proposals are invited for recent social science and humanities graduates dedicated to answering one or more of the following questions:

• What cultural practices are being reshaped and reconceptualised by mobile urban residents? What are the practical enacted ethics that enable people to make sense of varied diversities and to communicate and exchange across social divisions? How do people make sense of difference without shared histories or the disciplining institutions of common states, religion, or markets?
• What new forms of moral authority operate in rapidly urbanising contexts? What are the forms of alternative authority that emerge in contexts where the State is largely absent?
• How are these changing people’s imagination of traditional hierarchies of age gender and family structure? How are these connected to new notions of morality rooted in age gender and social obligation?
• How are changing forms of violence legitimated? What becomes visible as violence and what is eclipsed?
• How does widespread translocalism and ongoing mobility reshape urban morphologies and residential patterns; social interactions; subjective understanding of citizenship; representation and civic identity: what is political society in spaces only loosely structured by states and formal markets?

Type: Fellowship (Academic)

Eligibility:

• Successful applications will have completed an appropriate social science or humanities PhD by the start of the fellowship.
• Special preference will be given to those who have studied or worked with ARUA members or associated universities. These include Addis Ababa University; University of Cape Town; University of Dar es Salaam; Cheikh Anta Diop University; University of Ibadan; University of KwaZulu-Natal; University of Ghana; University of Lagos; Obafemi Awolowo University; Makerere University; University of Nairobi; National University of Rwanda; University of Pretoria; Rhodes University; University of Stellenbosch; University of Witwatersrand.
• Only students who have completed their degrees within the last three years will be considered.
• Fellows will be expected to participate in an exchange programme or collaborative activity with one or more of the project partners
• Fellows are expected to participate actively in University life while dedicating most of their time preparing previous research for scholarly publication. During their time they will be expected to lead one or more seminars on their work and prepare for future research initiatives.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award:

Duration of Program: 

• Post-doctoral fellows will be expected to be based for a one-year period at one of the five partner universities.
• Selections will be completed by June 2018 with successful candidates expected to be in their positions between September 2018 and January 2019.

How to Apply: Applications should include:
.  A cover letter summarising past research, qualifications, and the location for the post-doctoral fellow. Applicants should also indicate if they would consider being hosted by an alternative institution;
.  A complete academic CV;
.  A short proposal (1500 word maximum) outlining a yearlong research and publishing programme;
. Three professional reference letters speaking to abilities to publish, work collaboratively, and develop a future research agenda (these should be sent directly to the address below);
.  A writing sample of not more than 15,000 words (e.g., book or dissertation chapter; article).
All queries and application materials must be emailed to emergingurban@migration.org.za

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)

United Nations Information Service Graduate Study Programme for Graduates Worldwide 2018

Application Deadline: 2nd March 2018

Eligible Countries: All

To Be Taken At (Country): Geneva, Switzerland

About the Award: Each year, as part of the educational outreach programmes undertaken by the United Nations, the Information Service at Geneva organizes the Graduate Study Programme. This seminar provides an opportunity for outstanding graduate and postgraduate students from all over the world to deepen their understanding of the principles, purposes and activities of the United Nations and its related agencies through first-hand observation and study at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The 56^th Graduate Study Programme will be held at the Palais des Nations from 2 to 13 July 2018. It will comprise lectures given by senior members of the United Nations and the Geneva-based specialized agencies. The GSP theme for 2018 will be:

Human rights at a crossroads: where we stand in 2018

2018 marks the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But in this milestone year, human rights violations are part of major humanitarian and political crises. At the same time, international scrutiny over human rights issues, carried out via multilateral human rights mechanisms, has never been stronger. And the breadth and depth of the international human rights system’s focus has been expanding to address topics and communities which have not always received the attention they deserved: from gender-based violence and LGBTI rights, to the human rights of refugees and migrants, as well as challenges to human rights posed by the digital age and by climate change. Finally, we have a universal roadmap for development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is premised on a foundation of human rights. Human rights are an integral part of the 2030 Agenda and of every one of its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This is why implementing the SDGs requires institutional reform at the international and national levels, to truly mainstream human rights.

Type: Conference

Eligibility: The majority of the sessions will be held in English, therefore absolute fluency in English is essential. As several sessions will be held in French, solid working knowledge of French is also required.

Selection and Criteria: 

• The students invited to attend this programme will be selected on the basis of their academic experience and motivation, with due regard to equitable geographical and gender distribution. The age limit for application is 32 years of age.
• Once selected, successful candidates will be asked ahead of time to provide a medical certificate attesting good health and proof of medical insurance coverage in Switzerland at the time of the GSP (these two documents will be only be accepted by us in English or French). Applications from those already employed full time professionally cannot be considered.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award:  Participation in the programme is free. The United Nations does not make any financial contribution towards the travel costs and residential expenses of participants. Governments or universities may offer grants to selected candidates. Candidates should seek advice from their universities on this point.

Duration of Program: 2 to 13 July 2018.

How to Apply: The application form is to be filled in on our website, accompanied by a copy of the applicant’s passport, a letter of recommendation (in English or French only) from a university or governmental authority, proof of current enrolment (at the time of application) in a Master’s degree programme or a postgraduate degree programme (or equivalent) and university diplomas obtained.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details

Award Providers: United Nations

Important Notes: Please note that incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.