The theme of this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) is: “Breaking the Silence” Ever since the first case of COVID-19 in Kenya on March 13 2020, we have been bombarded with information about the virus. As the government took certain measures to keep Kenyans safe, vulnerable populations were left perplexed on […]
In the run-up to IDAHOT on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, we’re sharing stories from the countries where Hivos is committed to the LGBT community. In more than 25 countries, we work with LGBT organizations and activists. That collaboration often goes back decades. Slowly but surely, we are working on […]
Nicole isn’t just an afro. She is a woman, she is black, she is indigenous, she is Garifuna. A manager, an activist, a mother, a daughter, a sister – and much more. And we also know she is ready to defend her entire family and the entire community from the prejudice that has haunted them for centuries.
Casual workers have suffered the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as most farm owners have shut the door for non-resident workers despite them constituting the majority workers on most farms, as a way to curb the spread of the virus.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities and revealed to what extent current economic models are not sustainable. It has also shown that most countries are not equipped to cope with a health crisis. The World Food Program is warning that the lives and livelihoods of 265 million people in low and middle-income countries will be […]
Written by Paula Bernardi (Country Coordinator Brazil) and Daniel Torre (Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator) Deforestation and lack of protection are doubling the vulnerability of Indigenous Peoples and local communities The COVID-19 pandemic has made one thing very clear: we are all connected. The outbreak is confronting us worldwide with health risks and changes in our […]
The spread of COVID-19 is increasing worldwide. In Latin America, where developments are about two weeks behind Europe, they’re holding their breath. We spoke to our colleague in Costa Rica, Women’s Empowerment Program Development Manager Manine Arends, about her concerns and what lies ahead. “Measures to halt the spread of the disease vary enormously here […]
Transparency needed in Latin America’s health purchases
The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world in a way that seemed unimaginable only weeks ago. While governments struggle to keep their health systems afloat, stocks dwindle and prices of medical equipment surge. In response, the call for transparency and accountability in health procurement is growing.
Instead of treating the COVID-19 outbreak as a stand-alone crisis, we should acknowledge that it is a symptom of something larger. Namely, the disruption and destruction of natural ecosystems and biodiversity, which has brought us much closer to wild animals – and their viruses. And our globalized food system is a strong driver of this […]
Zambian-born health and human rights activist Chivuli Riva Ukwimi is fighting for the human rights of marginalized and excluded groups across Africa. In particular, their sexual reproductive health and rights. Having experienced marginalization and exclusion first hand as a transgender woman, Chivuli is driven by her vision for an inclusive world.
Festivities to mark a new year and decade have been short-lived the world over as the first months of 2020 witnessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parts of Africa were already plagued by desert locusts, but before these could be tackled, the new corona virus arrived. This has created a double pandemic for some […]
“After surviving the horrors of war for nine years, all that time fighting for peace, human rights, and democracy for the Syrian people, it is this pandemic that frightens me the most.” These are the words of Rajaa Altalli, a Syrian women’s rights activist, and co-founder and co-director of Hivos partner the Center for Civil […]