Rwanda: D-2

News news news

I've seen quite a number of movies and documentaries about Rwanda, but last night I finally managed to watch Sometimes in April.Along with Un Dimanche à Kigali, believe it's one of the best, a mixture of documentary and "fiction."

Trailer

You can watch it the movie online by the way.It's sometimes tough to watch obviously but the film puts an emphasis on the role of radio in inciting genocide, which I think is important to mention.

In other news, I watched a small CNN documentary on the DRC the other, which I thought was pretty good.It's nice that a big channel finally talks about the issue.I'm not sure a lot of people watched but it's an important step.I'm always a little skeptical about celebrities getting involved in these issues, in this case Ben Affleck, but I guess at least more people will listen.

CNN

Stop conflict rape

I discovered these websites not too long ago.As you know in Rwanda, I will work with an organization who help women who were raped during the genocide or families affected by conflict rape.I also have done and still do a lot of research on the use of rape as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Very little is done to prevent rape or conflict in the DRC.There is a lack of peacekeepers on the ground.I believe Kosovo , a very small country compared to the DRC, had approximately 50,000 while Zimbabwe has 18,000.A lot of research has been done on the DRC.It is extremely complex and violent but few people outside the field of politics, human rights or development know what is going on so I just wanted to show you these websites.You can even send a picture of you doing the 'cross sign.' I'm not saying this is gonna change a lot but it's a start.They have links to a bunch of advocacy and NGO websites.

http://www.stoprapenow.org/

http://www.saynotoviolence.org/join-say-no/get-cross-200000-show-solidarity-end-conflict-rape

This was drawn by a Sudanese child

Source: "Darfur Drawn: The Conflict in Darfur Through Children's Eyes" http://www.hrw.org/legacy/photos/2005/darfur/drawings/12.htm

Human Rights Film Festival

For those of you living in London, the Human Rights Film Festival starts in 2 days:

http://www.hrw.org/en/iff/london

"Women's Rights are Human Rights'"

It's not really a time to party considering there is a lot to improve in terms of women's rights and status but it is an important day. The first IWD took place in 1911. International Women's Day (IWD) highlights women's economic, political and social achievements.During the month of March organisations and government choose a theme that reflect global and local gender issues. For example. the UN's theme this year is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities and Progress for All."

Remarks by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (UNHQ) - Click here to read
"International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men."
Video

And:
Hillary Clinton's message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0aHOxr5wx8

"Women’s empowerment lifts obstacles to achieving development goals, Ban says"

International Women's Day website

I also found this one interesting: "UNICEF event focuses on involving boys and men in the promotion of gender equality"

Rwandan Visa

I got my Rwandan visa this week.That was quick.I guess they don't have a lot of demands....

Cities!

Ghana's main big cities

Kumasi

This is probably Western Africa's biggest market.It's huge, VERY busy and you will get lost.But that's part of the fun. You can buy everything here: fabric, food, pig feet and mutton head, art, shoes...everything is somewhat organized...somewhat.But obviously there is no map so you just get lost but then suddenly you'll be out again.













Accra

Few people like Accra, tourists and Ghanaians alike. It's the capital so it's big, noisy, dirty...But somehow I really liked it.I had to go there almost every day to go to work and somehow I liked it even tough it is noisy and dirty.It's part of the atmosphere.Even the traffic.The village I lived at was 40 km away but it would take at least 2 hours to reach Accra

Independence Square. this is where Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana's independence

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial. This is also where he and his wife are buried.


Cape Coast

It was founded in the 15th century. As you know this where all the slaves got shipped to the Americas so throughout the 18th century Cape Coast's economy was dominated by its role at the heart of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Hundreds of captured individuals every day sat in the dungeons awaiting shipment.

You really see the Western/Victorian/colonial influence here in terms of architecture. You have quite a large range of architectural styles. Yes, there even is a bridge named "London bridge"...it's not really a bridge actually.It's a poor city and quite a few of the colonial houses are run down but it's beautiful nonetheless. The castles are rather well-preserved as well.The atmosphere is very special because although it's an old town and an important cultural and historical centre it's rather small and you get a real sense of community here.Centuries ago it used to be a small fishing village and somehow you still get that feel.