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ECOWAS Parliament: Speaker Ibrahima Advocates for Stronger Policies On Health, Education in West Africa

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By Gloria Ikibah 
 
Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, has emphasized the importance policies that will enhance health and education for the development of the Sub-region.
 
 
Speaking at the opening of a delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament Joint Committee on Health/Education, Science and Culture/Telecommunications and Information Technology/Industry and Private Sector in Conakry, Republic of Guinea, Speaker Ibrahima highlighted the numerous challenges Member States face, including limited resources, inadequate health infrastructure, and significant health disparities.
 
The theme for the meeting is “Promoting Health Services and Education In West Africa: The Role of ECOWAS Parliament”, brings members of these committees to exchange experiences and best practices in advancing health and education across the region.
 
She said: “ECOWAS plays a key role in harmonizing health policies across Member States. However, challenges such as managing epidemics, coordinating efforts among countries, and adequately training health professionals persist.
 
“It is essential that we collaborate to overcome these obstacles and ensure that our citizens have access to quality healthcare and education.”
 
The Speaker underscored the importance of health education, describing it as a critical preventive measure aimed at reducing premature deaths related to diseases and accidents often linked to behavior and lifestyle choices. “By investing in health education, we empower our citizens to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” she noted.
 
The Speaker also expressed her appreciation to the Guinean Government for the warm reception extended to the Parliament members.
 
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the highest authorities of this brotherly nation for the warm, typically African welcome we have received since arriving in Guinea. We are confident that this meeting will be successful and will contribute positively to the development of our region”, she added.
 
The recommendations from this meeting will be presented to the ECOWAS Parliament for consideration and possible implementation.
 
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Trump Announces Pam Bondi For Attorney General after Rep Gaetz Withdrawal

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After Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida abandoned his quest for U.S. attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump wasted no time in choosing another candidate for the position.

On Thursday evening, Trump announced his decision on social media.

“I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States,” he posted on Twitter. “Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families,” according to him.

“Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl overdose deaths.”

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SAS! 38 Casualtie As Gunmen Ambush Shiite Convoys

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No fewer than 38 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, were killed in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday as gunmen ambushed convoys of vehicles that had been under the protection of security forces.

The attack was one of the deadliest in months of sectarian violence in the Kurram region, a scenic mountainous district bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, but Kurram’s population of 800,000 is nearly half Shiite Muslim, contributing to a cauldron of tribal tensions.

Conflicts, often rooted in disputes over land, frequently escalate into deadly sectarian clashes. The violence highlights the government’s persistent struggle to maintain control in the region.

The vehicles had been traveling in opposite directions on the main road connecting Parachinar, a Shiite-majority town in Kurram, to Peshawar, the provincial capital 135 miles away.

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The road, a vital lifeline for the district, had only recently reopened after being closed for three weeks because of an ambush on Oct. 12 that left at least 16 people dead.

During the closure, residents of Parachinar were cut off from essential supplies, including food and fuel, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis.

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One Woman, Girl Killed Every 10 Minutes Globally – UN Women

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On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25, the report Femicides in

UN Women

2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides by UN Women and UNODC reveals that femicide—the most extreme form of violence against women and girls—remains pervasive in the world.

Globally, 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2023. 60 per cent of these homicides -51,000- were committed by an intimate partner or other family member. 140 women and girls die every day at the hands of their partner or a close relative, which means one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes.

In 2023, Africa recorded the highest rates of intimate partner and family-related femicide, followed by the Americas and then by Oceania. In Europe and the Americas, most women killed in the domestic sphere (64 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively) were victims of intimate partners, while elsewhere, family members were the primary perpetrators.

“Violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is preventable. We need robust legislation, improved data collection, greater government accountability, a zero-tolerance culture, and increased funding for women’s rights organizations and institutional bodies. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, it is time for world leaders to UNiTE and act with urgency, recommit, and channel the resources needed to end this crisis once and for all”, highlighted UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous.

“The new femicide report highlights the urgent need for strong criminal justice systems that hold perpetrators accountable, while ensuring adequate support for survivors, including access to safe and transparent reporting mechanisms,” said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of UNODC. “At the same time, we must confront and dismantle the gender biases, power imbalances, and harmful norms that perpetuate violence against women. As this year’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign begins, we must act now to protect women’s lives.”

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The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action in 2025, coupled with the fast-approaching five-year deadline to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, presents a critical opportunity to rally all stakeholders to take decisive and urgent action for women’s rights and gender equality. This includes ending impunity and preventing all forms of violence against women and girls.

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