Month: March 2023
Read the AFJN eBulletin | March 2023
In October 2022, AFJN WEP received a three-year grant from the Conrad Hilton Foundation (Sisters Initiative) to build the capacity of sisters and the local communities towards ending child and early marriage and domestic servitude in Ghana and Nigeria. These projects took off in Ghana and Nigeria in November and December 2022 respectively.
Sr. Nkechi Iwuoha, PHJC was interviewed on African Catholic Voices, a service by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network, about her vocation of service. Sr. Nkechi serves as the Board Chair of the Africa Faith and Justice Network and as a Provincial Counselor of the American Province of the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ.
We now know that the DRC’s insecurity has external causes starting with its neighboring countries to the East. Rwanda and Uganda, have been accused of supporting armed groups in the DRC for their own political and economic interests, mainly fueled by international demand for DRC’s natural resources. According to S/2022/967, the Midterm Report of the UN Group of Experts published in December 2022, the United Nations has officially established that Rwanda is involved in a proxy war against the DRC in the guise of the M23 rebel group. Local and foreign armed groups have been fighting for control of territory and resources that include minerals, timber, and wildlife. This has resulted in gross human rights abuses and widespread insecurity, leading to the violent massacre of countless innocent lives and displacement of civilians.
Join Africa Faith and Justice Network, the Advocacy Network for Africa, Africans Rising, and American Friends Service Committee for a webinar on Friday, December 9th. Ahead of the US-Africa Leaders Summit, a sterling collection of deeply-experienced Africa experts will unpack the issues of Climate Injustice, Looming Famine, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Raging Wars. Individually and collectively, these emergencies are snuffing out African lives and inflicting serious pain and suffering.
Join the Africa Faith and Justice Network and Friends of the Congo for “Crisis in the Congo: Voices from the Frontlines” with Justine Masika and Pascal Mugaruka, recently arrived in Washington, DC from Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). They will provide firsthand accounts of the atrocities, displacement and occupation being carried out by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia. They will also share policy prescriptions that U.S. policymakers can implement in order to contribute to peace and stability in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On March 8, 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD), Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) celebrates the achievements of all women in the world. We raise awareness about the challenges that persist, and we urge everyone to take action to drive gender parity. Today, in our ministry, we celebrate the strength and power of women worldwide, and send a resounding shoutout to the important role of Catholic nuns whose tireless passion for social justice has helped advance the rights of women in Africa for 40 years. We reaffirm that women are the center of society and familyhood, sharing with God the creative process of life, and believe that women’s rights are essentially human rights.
In our ministry, we celebrate the strength and power of women worldwide, and send a resounding shoutout to the important role of Catholic nuns whose tireless passion for social justice has helped advance the rights of women in Africa for 40 years.
