The UN Human Development Index, measuring life expectancy, education levels and real per capita income, is published on an annual basis. Out of 175 countries surveyed in 2007 (Note: Iraq, Afghanistan were not surveyed due to lack of available data), Iceland finished at the top followed by Norway, Australia, Canada and Ireland. The United States of America finished 12, ranked quite high on real per capita GDP at $USD 41,890 but finished last among developed countries in life expectancy.
Sadly, the bottom 22 countries surveyed by the UN were all African, and are classified by the UN as in the "low human development category." Sierra Leone finished at the bottom followed by Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 10 of the lowest ranked countries, 2 out of 5 children will not reach the age of 40.
Quite shocking to think that despite many politicians in the developed world proclaiming their economies and quality of life have never been better; very little of this excess wealth has made its way to the continent most in need of global assistance. Maybe they think the fortunes of Gates, Turner, Branson + Buffet will always be around to top-up their paltry allocations.
November 25 was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Ban Ki Moon rightly stated that "Violence against women is a violation of human rights, it is always a crime and it is always unacceptable." Unfortunately, sexual violence against women has reached "grotesque proportions" in central and eastern Africa. Rape as weapon of warfare is rampant in Sudan (despite that government's protestations to the contrary) and is wide-spread even in post-conflict settings.
There are not enough personnel in development agencies to counter the increase in Female Genital Mutilation in the central and eastern region of Africa. 90% of Somali women experience FGM as teenagers. As a development practioner who is based in an international setting not of my birth country, I will always be mindful of cultural differences. But when it comes to FGM I have no tolerance for those that excuse this disgusting, oppressive practice or turn a blind eye by claiming the age old "cultural relativism" argument. Pure rubbish!!
The upcoming International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) - a joint UN/AU initiative to ratify and translate into national law a protocol for the prevention and suppression of sexual violence against women and children - is maybe a beacon of hope? The pact is expected to be enforced once ratified by 8/11 signatories. Here's hoping that happens, and that those governments will be genuine about keeping their commitments.
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