Only seven African nations have ratified the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which promotes good governance on the continent.

Only seven African nations have ratified the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance which promotes good governance on the continent. But delegates to the Pan African Parliament are confident they will soon garner the eight more needed to put the charter in place. Tinus de Jager reports from Midrand, South Africa ….

Children in Namibia, especially in the smaller towns like Rehoboth, are increasingly dependent on social grants.

Chris Stein reports that even more money is needed to help the poor in Namibia.

If Africa is to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 then more attention should be paid to the role of women says an independent body watching global donations to the continent.

If Africa is to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 then more attention should be paid to the role of women says an independent body watching global donations to the continent.

Among the small number of countries in Africa that offer social protection grants for children, a British researcher says South Africa might have the most effective system, as Chris Stein reports from Windhoek.

Among the small number of countries in Africa that offer social protection grants for children, a British researcher says South Africa might have the most effective system, as Chris Stein reports from Windhoek.

Kenya says the guarantee of children’s rights in its new constitution shows the country’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens. Chris Stein reports from Windhoek.

Kenya says the guarantee of children’s rights in its new constitution shows the country’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens. Chris Stein reports from Windhoek.

Zambia’s opposition says efforts to alleviate poverty have been hampered by the global economic crisis and a lack of political will in the Southern African country.

Chris Stein reports for IPS from the Eastern and Southern Africa Parliamentary Regional Workshop in Windhoek, Namibia.

Social grants can relieve poverty, but delegates at the Eastern and Southern Africa Parliamentary Regional Workshop in Windhoek, Namibia, were told that the grants must be coupled with systemic changes.

Social grants can relieve poverty, but delegates at the  Eastern and Southern Africa Parliamentary Regional Workshop in Windhoek, Namibia, were told that the grants must be coupled with systemic changes.

The Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP) says 75 percent of the world’s ultra poor, those living on living on less than 50 US cents per day, are in Africa.

The Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme (RHVP) says 75 percent of the world’s ultra poor, those living on living on less than 50 US cents per day, are in Africa.

South Africa plans to build a space-launch and mission control facility after it starts its own space agency by the end of 2010.

South Africa plans to build a space-launch and mission control facility after it starts its own space agency by the end of 2010.

Small-scale wheat farmers in Africa are at risk from new mutations of a wheat-killing fungus

Small-scale wheat farmers in Africa are at risk from new mutations of a wheat-killing fungus

A microbicide gel may for the first time give women the power to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

A microbicide gel may for the first time give women the power to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

South African children are dying at the same rate as they did twenty years ago.

Experts say this shows that the country will not meet its goal of cutting infant mortality by 66% in 2012.

Civil society groups say South Africa will struggle to deliver quality education to more of its population by 2015, as set out in the Millennium Development Goals.

Civil society groups say South Africa will struggle to deliver quality education to more of its population by 2015, as set out in the Millennium Development Goals.

Research shows HIV among men who have sex with men in Kenya is the same as the strain found in heterosexuals.

Research shows HIV among men who have sex with men in Kenya is the same as the strain found in heterosexuals.

Research in South Africa shows children caring for parents with HIV/AIDS are as badly affected psychologically as those that have lost parents to the pandemic.

The Young Carers South Africa Project wants to inform and guide South African policy makers on how to help these previously unknown victims.

The World Health Organisation says 43 million toddlers in sub-Saharan Africa do not get enough Vitamin A.

Kenyan researcher, Mary Oyunga, has found that the sweet potato could solve the problem.

IPS Gender and Development Glossary

 

Africa certain to miss MDG targets, says continent’s Millennium Campaign chief

Africa certain to miss MDG targets, says continent's Millennium Campaign chief

Technology helps South African children learn to read, reports Davison Mudzingwa.

Technology helps South African children learn to read, reports Davison Mudzingwa.

Brian Moonga reports on a new vitamin A-rich maize variety which could improve the health of Zambians

Brian Moonga reports on a new vitamin A-rich maize variety which could improve the health of Zambians

Food security in Bolivia