#social research companies in Uganda

[spadesurvey]

Best Market Research Agencies in Uganda

Uganda is a developing country with a growing economy and lots of opportunities. To better understand the complexities of its market, market research is needed. With the utilization of market research, businesses can make strategic actions and well-informed decisions. To get better market research, partnering with a market research company in Uganda is all you need. Whether you are new to the market or a seasoned business, you can observe a huge difference when you associate with market research firms in Uganda.  

Through this blog, we have shortlisted the best market research companies in Uganda that have a proven track record and are known for their quality services.

Here is the list of the best market research companies in Uganda:

1.IPSOS Uganda:

IPSOS is one of the leading social research companies in Uganda, which has been known for reliable market research. This company offers a wide range of services like opinion polling, consumer insights, and media monitoring. With its data-driven strategies, advanced analytics, and innovative methodologies, companies rely on this market research firm for their decision-making. IPSOS is known for its local expertise and extensive global network.

2.Spade Survey:

Spade Survey is another market research firm that has been trusted by businesses for many years. Being one of the top social impact consulting companies in Uganda, this company is known for its reliable methodology and tailored solutions.

Spade Survey offers several services like market research, customer satisfaction surveys, and feasibility studies. Well-known for its client-centric approach and commitment to delivering actionable insights, this company has expertise in providing both qualitative and quantitative research. Another benefit of associating with this firm is getting all amazing services at affordable prices.

Spade Survey is a reputable market research firm in Uganda that specializes in offering full insights and analysis to businesses. Spade Survey’s expertise in data collection, market surveys, and consumer research helps firms make educated decisions and drive growth. They provide useful information and strategic ideas to help organizations remain competitive and grow in dynamic market settings.

3.Research World International:

Research World International is another market research firm that has a strong presence in Uganda. Trusted by many businesses, this company offers a wide range of services, including consumer behavior insights, brand health insights, and public opinion insights. RWI is known for providing amazing research services to both the private and public sectors. Also, businesses rely on this company for its data collection process.

4.Frontline Research:

Another leading market research firm that has been delivering quality services through data collection and analysis. It specializes in market research, monitoring & evaluation, and social research. This company focuses on technology-driven research to deliver actionable insights.

5.TNS Kantar:

TNS Kantar is a global leader in market research. It provides premium quality market research services, including customer experience studies, brand tracking, and advertising effectiveness. It utilizes advanced tools, techniques, and methodologies to cater to all requirements of its clients.

These are a few market research companies in Uganda that have been delivering actionable insights to their clients for many years. Associating with the right market research firm is very important if you want to understand the challenges and opportunities of the market in Uganda. These market research agencies help businesses to reach their target audiences and make well-informed decisions.

Read More: Social Research Companies in Angola

How Spade Survey Works:

Spade Survey is a leading market research company in Uganda. We are a full-service quantitative and qualitative market research fieldwork company committed to providing high-quality data collection and market research services. 

We are one of Uganda’s best market research companies for recruiting difficult-to-reach groups and collecting high-quality data, and we have extensive expertise applying appropriate methodology across a wide range of industries, locations, and cultures. We regularly have an impact on the success of our clients’ businesses.

We have professionals who can provide expert advice and help to businesses and individuals looking to conduct research or analyze data. They can work in a range of industries, including market research, social sciences, and healthcare, among others.

We can assist you with designing research studies, collecting and analyzing data, and producing reports describing the findings. We also advise on statistical analysis and research methods, as well as providing insights and recommendations based on their knowledge.

We ensure the accuracy of all data collected, which is critical to the integrity of research. We are a research firm that focuses on gathering, analyzing, and offering insights into various sorts of data and information. Our primary purpose is to perform research on behalf of our clients so that they may make informed decisions regarding their businesses, products, services, and markets.

Our team is experienced in executing research approaches, including quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. All of our team members have previously worked in a research team and have collaborated with international researchers on international research initiatives. We are committed to offering individual service, are well-trained, and are adaptable to satisfy our clients’ research needs.

Conclusion:

Market research companies in Uganda provide world-class services suitable to the country’s diversified consumer base. Businesses that collaborate with one of India’s top market research organizations can gain useful insights and develop informed strategies for achieving and maintaining success.

In the ever-changing world of Indian business, market research firms play an important role in offering key insights. From detailed data analysis to trend spotting, these companies provide businesses with the knowledge they need to make sound decisions.

Businesses can gain a competitive advantage, reduce risks, and open up new growth prospects by working with an Indian market research firm. So, don’t be scared to harness the expertise of these industry players to carry your firm to new heights.

[maaarine]

Bibliography: articles posted on this blog in 2023

Posted in January

To grasp how serotonin works on the brain, look to the gut (James M Shine, Psyche, Jan 03 2023)

Thousands of records shattered in historic winter warm spell in Europe (Ian Livingston, The Washington Post, Jan 02 2023)

“Il faut que tu sois belle maintenant” : en Égypte, des femmes libérées du voile restent prisonnières des diktats (Aliaa Talaat, Al-Manassa via Courrier International, 20 nov 2022)

Mystery of why Roman buildings have survived so long has been unraveled, scientists say (Katie Hunt, CNN, Jan 06 2023)

Colombia’s surrogacy market: Buying a baby for $4,000 (Lucía Franco, El País, Jan 04 2023)

How to spot an eating disorder (Phillip Aouad & Sarah Maguire, Psyche, Jan 11 2023)

UAE sparks furious backlash by appointing Abu Dhabi oil chief as president of COP28 climate summit (Sam Meredith, CNBC, Jan 12 2023)

Don’t tell me that David Carrick’s crimes were ‘unbelievable’. The problem is victims aren’t believed (Marina Hyde, The Guardian, Jan 17 2023)

Baromètre Sexisme 2023 : "La situation est alarmante", estime le Haut Conseil à l'Égalité (Juliette Geay, Radio France, 23 janvier 2023)

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Posted in February

Spain approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and trans laws (NPR, Feb 16 2023)

Are Men the Overlooked Reason for the Fertility Decline? (Jessica Grose, The New York Times, Feb 15 2023)

American teenage girls are experiencing high levels of emotional distress. Why? (Moira Donegan, The Guardian, Feb 16 2023)

Figures that lay bare the shocking scale of toxic influencer Andrew Tate’s reach among young men (Maya Oppenheim, The Independent, Feb 17 2023)

Why psychological research on child sex offenders is important (Meetali Devgun, Psyche, Feb 22 2023)

Derrière les chiffres des féminicides, des visages et un continuum de violences contre les femmes (Fanny Declercq, Le Soir, 27 fév 2023)

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Posted in March

English is not normal (John McWhorter, Aeon, Nov 13 2015)

Are Iranian schoolgirls being poisoned by toxic gas? (BBC News, March 03 2023)

‘Why do we need a supermodel?’: Backlash after Fifa makes Adriana Lima Women’s World Cup ambassador (Henry Belot, The Guardian, March 02 2023)

New Human Metabolism Research Upends Conventional Wisdom about How We Burn Calories (Herman Pontzer, Scientific American, Jan 01 2023)

Polish woman found guilty of aiding an abortion in landmark trial (Harriet Barber, The Telegraph, March 14 2023)

How Diet Builds Better Bones: Surprising Findings on Vitamin D, Coffee, and More (Claudia Wallis, Scientific American, Jan 01 2023)

Met police found to be institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic (Vikram Dodd, The Guardian, March 21 2023)

Chinese Dating App Does the Swiping for Singles to Find Love (Nikki Main, Gizmodo, March 21 2023)

Aphantasia can be a gift to philosophers and critics like me (Mette Leonard Høeg, Psyche, March 20 2023)

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Posted in April

Facts Don’t Change Minds – Social Networks, Group Dialogue, and Stories Do (Anne Toomey, The LSE Impact Blog, Jan 24 2023)

Uganda’s failure to jail child rapists as teen pregnancies soar (Tamasin Ford, BBC News, April 17 2023)

Italy risks ‘ethnic replacement’ because of low birth rate and high immigration, says minister (Nick Squires, The Telegraph, April 19 2023)

Putin, Trump, Ukraine: how Timothy Snyder became the leading interpreter of our dark times (Robert P Baird, The Guardian, March 30 2023)

India overtakes China to become world’s most populous country (Hannah Ellis-Petersen, The Guardian, April 24 2023)

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Posted in May

Des crèches ferment toutes les semaines, « et ce n’est pas près de s’arrêter » (Le Soir, 5 mai 2023)

People in comas showed ‘conscious-like’ brain activity as they died, study says (Hannah Devlin, The Guardian, May 01 2023)

Chinese woman appeals in battle for right to freeze her eggs (The Guardian, May 09 2023)

Women CEOs: Why companies in crisis hire minorities - and then fire them (The Guardian, DG McCullough, Aug 08 2014)

Glass cliffs: firms appoint female executives in times of crisis as a signal of change to investors (Max Reinwald and Johannes Zaia and Florian Kunze, LSE Business Review, Aug 19 2022)

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Posted in June

Afghan women in mental health crisis over bleak future (Yogita Limaye, BBC News, June 05 2023)

Support Of Amber Heard Alongside French Feminists & Cinema Figures (Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, June 05 2023)

Why is Japan redefining rape? (Tessa Wong & Sakiko Shiraishi, BBC News, June 07 2023)

Catching the men who sell subway groping videos (Zhaoyin Feng & Aliaume Leroy & Shanshan Chen, BBC News, June 08 2023)

Netherlands to provide free sun cream to tackle record skin cancer levels (Kate Connolly, The Guardian, June 12 2023)

The Cause of Depression Is Probably Not What You Think (Joanna Thompson, Quanta Magazine, Jan 26 2023)

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Posted in July

‘Farsighted impulsivity’ and the new psychology of self-control (Adam Bulley, Psyche, Feb 03 2021)

Can a perfectionist personality put you at risk of migraines? (Shayla Love, Psyche, July 25 2023)

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Posted in August

How Loneliness Reshapes the Brain (Marta Zaraska, Quanta Magazine, Feb 28 2023)

Why religious belief provides a real buffer against suicide risk (David H Rosmarin, Psyche, Aug 07 2023)

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Posted in September

What Are Dreams For? (Amanda Gefter, The New Yorker, Aug 31 2023)

Rape Cases Seize Italy’s Attention and Expose Cultural Rifts (Gaia Pianigiani, The New York Times, Sep 03 2023)

Councils in England in crisis as Birmingham ‘declares itself bankrupt’ (Heather Stewart and Jessica Murray, The Guardian, Sep 05 2023)

Nearly one in three female NHS surgeons have been sexually assaulted, survey suggests (Jamie Grierson, The Guardian, Sep 12 2023)

Domination and Objectification: Men’s Motivation for Dominance Over Women Affects Their Tendency to Sexually Objectify Women (Orly Bareket and Nurit Shnabel, Sep 09 2019)

In Spain, dozens of girls are reporting AI-generated nude photos of them being circulated at school: ‘My heart skipped a beat’ (Manuel Viejo, El País, Sep 18 2023)

When the human tendency to detect patterns goes too far (Shayla Love, Psyche, Sep 19 2023)

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Posted in October

My Brain Doesn’t Picture Things (Marco Giancotti, Nautilus, Oct 04 2023)

“Inverse vaccine” shows potential to treat multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases (Sarah C.P. Williams, The University of Chicago, Sep 11 2023)

Poland election: exit polls point to Law and Justice defeat as Tusk hails ‘rebirth’ (Shaun Walker, The Guardian, Oct 16 2023)

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Posted in November

What I have learned from my suicidal patients (Gavin Francis, The Guardian, Nov 22 2019)

Did natural selection make the Dutch the tallest people on the planet? (Martin Enserink, Science, Apr 07 2015)

Tumblr Is Always Dying (Elizabeth Minkel, Wired, Nov 14 2023)

How accurate is the new Napoleon film? Sorting fact from fiction (Andrew Roberts, The Sunday Times, Nov 19 2023)

Far-right party set to win most seats in Dutch elections, exit polls show (Jon Henley and Pjotr Sauer and Senay Boztas, The Guardian, Nov 22 2023)

Climate change: Rise in Google searches around ‘anxiety’ (Lucy Gilder, BBC, Nov 22 2023)

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Posted in December

The sexual assault of sleeping women: the hidden, horrifying rape crisis in our bedrooms (Anna Moore, The Guardian, June 15 2021)

Afghanistan: Taliban sends abused women to prison - UN (Nicholas Yong, BBC News, Dec 15 2023)

Longitudinal Associations Between Parenting and Child Big Five Personality Traits (University of California Press, Nov 18 2021)

Scientists Pinpoint Cause of Severe Morning Sickness (Azeen Ghorayshi, The New York Times, Dec 13 2023)

[formisthemaskofspace]

Four cities invited for the climate smart cities challenge

Nairobi, Stockholm – 14 April 2021

Curitiba (Brazil),

Bogotá (Colombia),

Bristol (UK)

Makindye Ssabagabo (Uganda)

These are the four cities officially invited to collaborate in the open innovation initiative Climate Smart Cities Challenge, with the aim of developing, testing and scaling cutting-edge solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

With the cities and respective challenges selected, the four cities will work on confirming arrangements, stakeholder engagement and challenge definition with support from the Climate Smart Cities Challenge partners: UN-Habitat, Viable Cities, Vinnova, Teknikföretagen, the Swedish Energy Agency, Smart City Sweden, Business Sweden, Expo 2020 Sweden and Nesta Challenges.  

The work will result in an open innovation contest which will be launched at the Dubai Expo in October 2021.

Maria Rosendahl, Head of Industrial Policy, Teknikföretagen, said: “We are facing an age of unprecedented possibilities. In order to make the most of them we must focus on how we support innovation and development. Whether it is through new business models, aggressive business policy, modern regulations or joint efforts. The focus should be the same.” 

The selected cities were chosen from applicants from all over the world through an open call application phase. The Climate Smart Cities Challenge focuses on specific areas that have the potential to reduce GHG emissions and at the same time deliver significant social impact, such as zero-carbon neighbourhoods, freight logistics management and green and affordable residential buildings. 

It also addresses the capacities needed by local governments to work with a wide range of stakeholders, especially the private sector, in order to lead and deliver innovation that tackles societal problems. 

Steven Bland, Climate Change and Innovation specialist, UN-Habitat, said: “By opening the process of defining solutions, rather than predetermining them in a call for proposals, new partnerships and collaborations become available that a local government might otherwise have been unaware of. The facilitated challenge definition design process prompts local governments to understand different local (and internal local government) perspectives on the nature of the challenge being explored.”

During the initial open call phase, each city was invited to share their aspirations to reduce GHG emissions, by identifying local challenges that would benefit from a multi-stakeholder and innovative approach, while also able to strengthen the capacity of local governments to procure, test and implement frontier technologies.

The City of Makindye Ssabagabo said: “Although the green homes concept is being adopted fast in urban cities in Asia, Europe and North America, the innovation is relatively new in Ugandan urban settings and this therefore calls for diverse international expertise with the participation of local stakeholders to pinpoint what will work best in order to reduce GHG emissions.” 

The City of Bogotá said: “Solving this challenge demands a change in strategy. Important stakeholders include freight companies, but also research centers and universities, and local populations in peripheral areas, most often affected by the negative impacts of freight traffic.” 

The City of Bristol said: “Where innovation is truly needed is in the model used to deliver housing by multiple stakeholders. Solving this problem could support not only housing that is affordable but also housing that meets a diverse need as well as the sustainable development goals, specifically those relating to health and well-being, and sustainable cities and communities.” - 

The City of Curitiba said: “Curitiba aims at carbon neutrality in 2050. Improved energy efficiency in buildings will have to play a key role. One way to pursue carbon neutrality is by establishing zero-carbon areas in the city of Curitiba. The innovation competition will help identify and test a broad spectrum of low-carbon solutions in an integrated manner.”

At the local level, challenge-driven innovation helps to achieve sustainable development goals. Challenge competitions can contribute to the development of mission-oriented policies, by connecting multidisciplinary expertise and cross-sectoral perspectives with societal needs. City leaders are able to ensure that Innovative solutions, originated from challenges, are directed towards improving people’s lives in cities.            

Olle Armstrand Dierks, Portfolio Strategist, Viable Cities said: “A real world test might even help reach a tipping point to behaviour change when involving many citizens in it, thus influencing many others. It enables transformative approaches to solving multiple societal challenges in an integrated and holistic way. A testbed can also demonstrate an emerging technology for regulators and engage regulators and policymakers in anticipating and shaping new regulations.”

UN-Habitat and partners are working closely to deliver operational, normative and financial support, in order to co-create solutions that will drive positive change and contribute to climate change mitigation and energy efficiency in cities. 

About the partners 

UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. It promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty and provides technical assistance, policy advice, knowledge and capacity building to national and local governments in over 90 countries. 

Viable Cities is the strategic Swedish innovation programme for climate-neutral and sustainable cities, with the mission to achieve climate-neutral cities by 2030 with a good life for all within planetary boundaries. It gathers around 85 members from several different research fields, business, public sector and civil society. The programme is the project owner of CSCC, responsible for coordinating the challenge-driven innovation process.

Vinnova is Sweden’s innovation agency helping to build innovation capacity that contributes to sustainable growth. It focuses on enabling innovation that address societal challenges, by creating opportunities and incentives for organisations to collaborate and share knowledge and skills. Vinnova supports early stage experimentation and testing of new ideas that can make a difference in the world. In the CSCC, it will be one of the funding partners in the challenge to develop carbon-neutral infrastructures in the selected cities. 

Teknikföretagen, the Swedish Association of Engineering Companies, works with 4.200 member companies, and has the mission to give its members the best possible competitive advantage, by promoting innovation and development in business. Small and large-scale companies are part of Teknikföretagen’s network, accounting for a third of Sweden’s exports. The organization is both a donor in the CSCC as well as a supporting partner, connecting its members to the innovative solutions derived from the challenge.  

The Swedish Energy Agency works with the promotion of energy efficiency measures and investments in renewable energy technologies, leading society’s transition to a sustainable energy system. It also collaborates internationally with the aim to develop and disseminate knowledge for a more efficient energy use to households, industry, and the public sector. In the CSCC, the agency continues to support UN-Habitat and its partners to finance challenge-driven innovation processes and research. 

Smart City Sweden is the Swedish government platform for sustainable city solutions, working with delegations and decision-makers from other countries interested in implementing Swedish solutions in their local context. The platform supports the CSCC as donors and also contributes with its vast expertise in different areas to explore smart and sustainable city solutions throughout the challenge. 

Business Sweden is jointly owned by the Swedish state and the Swedish business sector with a mandate and a mission to help Swedish companies grow global sales and international companies invest and expand in Sweden. Business Sweden supports CSCC with expertise in international business development of smart city solutions as well as local market knowledge in all selected markets (Brazil, Colombia, United Kingdom and Uganda).          

Expo2020 Sweden is responsible for the Swedish pavilion at the world exhibition Expo 2020 in Dubai, to be held  from October  2021 to March 2022, in the United Arab Emirates. The Swedish pavilion The Forest is located in the sustainability district at the Dubai Expo 2020. It will focus on new ways to build The Smart Society, including topics such as tech, life science, next-generation transport, Industry 4.0, new materials, smart cities, circular bio-based economies, and more. It will support the CSCC in showcasing the solutions designed in the challenge process.

Nesta Challenges is an UK-based partner focused on facilitating the development of innovative solutions, through the design of challenge prizes and challenge-driven innovation methodologies. It exists to support people, organisations and society in achieving solutions that drive change, improve lives, and solve the most pressing problems. Nesta collaborates with UN-Habitat and partners in the CSCC planning and engagement plans, supporting different stages of the challenge process.

[artsburopassports]

KIU UG: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Kampala International University (KIU) in Uganda is committed to providing its students with a holistic education that goes beyond theoretical learning to practical application. Through innovative teaching methods, experiential learning opportunities, and industry partnerships, KIU UG bridges the gap between theory and practice, preparing students for success in the real world. This article explores how KIU achieves this integration and the impact it has on its students' academic and professional development.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Hands-On Training and Practical Experience

At KIU, students have access to hands-on training and practical experience in their chosen fields. Whether it's through internships, fieldwork, laboratory sessions, or simulation exercises, students engage directly with real-world problems and scenarios, applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

Industry-Relevant Projects and Assignments

The university designs its curriculum to include industry-relevant projects and assignments that challenge students to think critically, problem-solve, and innovate. These projects often involve collaboration with industry partners, allowing students to gain insight into current industry practices and trends.

Industry Partnerships and Collaborations

Internship and Co-op Programs

KIU has established internship and co-op programs with leading companies and organizations in various industries. These programs provide students with valuable work experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities, bridging the gap between academia and the professional world.

Guest Lectures and Industry Experts

The university regularly invites guest lecturers and industry experts to share their insights and experiences with students. These interactions expose students to real-world perspectives and challenges, helping them understand how theoretical concepts are applied in practice.

Innovative Teaching Methods

Project-Based Learning

KIU employs project-based learning approaches that encourage students to work on interdisciplinary projects, solve complex problems, and collaborate with peers. This method fosters creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, preparing students for the dynamic nature of modern workplaces.

Case Studies and Simulations

The university uses case studies and simulations to immerse students in realistic scenarios and decision-making processes. By analyzing case studies and participating in simulations, students gain practical insights into industry dynamics, organizational behavior, and strategic management.

Research and Innovation

Applied Research Projects

KIU encourages students to engage in applied research projects that address real-world challenges and contribute to knowledge advancement. Through research, students develop analytical skills, explore new ideas, and make meaningful contributions to their fields of study.

Innovation Labs and Centers

The university has established innovation labs and centers where students can explore entrepreneurship, technology development, and social innovation. These spaces provide resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities for students to turn their ideas into tangible solutions.

Practical Skills Development

Technical Skills Training

KIU offers technical skills training programs that equip students with the practical skills and competencies required by employers. These programs cover a wide range of areas, including computer programming, laboratory techniques, clinical skills, and vocational trades.

Soft Skills Workshops

In addition to technical skills, KIU emphasizes the importance of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. The university offers workshops, seminars, and coaching sessions to help students develop these essential skills, enhancing their employability and career prospects.

Conclusion

Kampala International University (KIU) is at the forefront of bridging the gap between theory and practice in higher education. Through experiential learning opportunities, industry partnerships, innovative teaching methods, research and innovation initiatives, and practical skills development programs, KIU prepares students to excel in their chosen careers and make meaningful contributions to society. By integrating theory with practice, KIU ensures that its graduates are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world and thrive in diverse professional environments.

[jcmarchi]

Sophia Chen: It’s our duty to make the world better through empathy, patience, and respect

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/sophia-chen-its-our-duty-to-make-the-world-better-through-empathy-patience-and-respect/

Sophia Chen: It’s our duty to make the world better through empathy, patience, and respect

Sophia Chen, a fifth-year senior double majoring in mechanical engineering and art and design, learned about MIT D-Lab when she was a Florida middle schooler. She drove with her family from their home in Clearwater to Tampa to an MIT informational open house for prospective students. There, she heard about a moringa seed press that had been developed by D-Lab students. Those students, Kwami Williams ’12 and Emily Cunningham (a cross-registered Harvard University student), went on to found MoringaConnect with a goal of increasing Ghanaian farmer incomes. Over the past 12 years, the company has done just that, sometimes by a factor of 10 or more, by selling to wholesalers and establishing their own line of moringa skin and hair care products, as well as nutritional supplements and teas.

“I remember getting chills,” says Sophia. “I was so in awe. MIT had always been my dream college growing up, but hearing this particular story truly cemented that dream. I even talked about D-Lab during my admissions interview. Once I came to MIT, I knew I had to take a D-Lab class — and now, at the end of my five years, I’ve taken four.”

Taking four D-Lab classes during her undergraduate years may make Sophia exceptional, though not unusual. Of the nearly 4,000 enrollments in D-Lab classes over the past 22 years, as many as 20 percent took at least two classes, and many take three or more by the time the graduate. For Sophia, her D-Lab classes were a logical progression that both confirmed and expanded her career goals in global medicine.

Centering the role of project community partners

Sophia’s first D-Lab class was 2.722J / EC.720 (D-Lab: Design). Like all D-Lab classes, D-Lab: Design is project-based and centers the knowledge and contributions of each project’s community partner. Her team worked with a group in Uganda called Safe Water Harvesters on a project aimed at creating a solar-powered atmospheric water harvester using desiccants. They focused on early research and development for the desiccant technology by running tests for vapor absorption. Safe Water Harvesters designed the parameters and goals of the project and collaborated with the students remotely throughout the semester.

Safe Water Harvesters’ role in the project was key to the project’s success. “At D-Lab, I learned the importance of understanding that solutions in international development must come from the voices and needs of people whom the intervention is trying to serve,” she says. “Some of the first questions we were taught to ask are ‘what materials and manufacturing processes are available?’ and ‘how is this technology going to be maintained by the community?’”

The link between water access and gender inequity

Electing to join the water harvesting project in Uganda was no accident. The previous summer, Sophia had interned with a startup targeting the spread of cholera in developing areas by engineering a new type of rapid detection technology that would sample from users’ local water sources. From there, she joined Professor Amos Winter’s Global Engineering and Research (GEAR) Lab as an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program student and worked on a point-of-use desalination unit for households in India. 

Taking EC.715 (D-Lab: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) was a logical next step for Sophia. “This class was life-changing,” she says. “I was already passionate about clean water access and global resource equity, but I quickly discovered the complexity of WASH not just as an issue of poverty but as an issue of gender.” She joined a project spearheaded by a classmate from Nepal, which aimed to address the social taboos surrounding menstruation among Nepalese schoolgirls.

“This class and project helped me realize that water insecurity and gender inequality — especially gender-based violence — ​are highly intertwined,” comments Sophia. This plays out in a variety of ways. Where there is poor sanitation infrastructure in schools, girls often miss classes or drop out altogether when menstruating. And where water is scarce, women and girls often walk miles to collect water to accommodate daily drinking, cooking, and hygiene needs. During this trek, they are vulnerable to assault and the pressure to engage in transactional sex at water access points.

“It became clear to me that women are disproportionately affected by water insecurity, and that water is key to understanding women’s empowerment,” comments Sophia, “and that I wanted to keep learning about the field of development and how it intersects with gender!”

So, in fall 2023, Sophia took both 11.025/EC.701 (D-Lab: Development) and WGS.277/EC.718 (D-Lab: Gender and Development). In D-Lab: Development, her team worked with Tatirano, a nongovernmental organization in Madagascar, to develop a vapor-condensing chamber for a water desalination system, a prototype they were able to test and iterate in Madagascar at the end of the semester.

Getting out into the world through D-Lab fieldwork

“Fieldwork with D-Lab is an eye-opening experience that anyone could benefit from,” says Sophia. “It’s easy to get lost in the MIT and tech bubble. But there’s a whole world out there with people who live such different lives than many of us, and we can learn even more from them than we can from our psets.”

For Sophia’s D-Lab: Gender and Development class, she worked with the Society Empowerment Project in Kenya, ultimately traveling there during MIT’s Independent Activities Period last January. In Kenya, she worked with her team to run a workshop with teen parents to identify risk factors prior to pregnancy and postpartum challenges, in order to then ideate and develop solutions such as social programs. 

“Through my fieldwork in Kenya and Madagascar,” says Sophia, “it became clear how important it is to create community-based solutions that are led and maintained by community members. Solutions need community input, leadership, and trust. Ultimately, this is the only way to have long-lasting, high-impact, sustainable change. One of my D-Lab trip leaders said that you cannot import solutions. I hope all engineers recognize the significance of this statement. It is our duty as engineers and scientists to make the world a better place while carrying values of empathy, patience, and respect.”

Pursuing passion and purpose at the intersection of medicine, technology, and policy

After graduation in June, Sophia will be traveling to South Africa through MISTI Africa to help with a clinical trial and community outreach. She then intends to pursue a master’s in global health and apply to medical school, with the goal of working in global health at the intersection of medicine, technology, and policy.

“It is no understatement to say that D-Lab has played a central role in helping me discover what I’m passionate about and what my purpose is in life,” she says. “I hope to dedicate my career towards solving global health inequity and gender inequality.” ​

[indiamedicaltourism]

Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Cost

In recent years, the desire for beauty and self-improvement has grown in popularity, increasing in demand for plastic and cosmetic surgical procedures. India, with its internationally recognized facilities, experienced surgeons, and advanced technology, has become a popular destination for people looking for transformative procedures.

India provides a complete range of plastic surgery operations designed to improve or restore physical looks. Renowned cosmetic surgeons in the nation perform a variety of operations, including those for the face, neck, limbs, breasts, stomach, and head. Scar revision, nose surgery restoration, burn therapy, and facial implants are among the various treatments offered.

Plastic surgery is necessary in circumstances of congenital deformities, illnesses, burns, or the necessity to repair certain body parts or face characteristics. Leading surgeons in India are well-equipped to manage delicate conditions, including as cleft lip and cleft palate procedures, which address concerns affecting nutrition, hearing, speech, and general social integration.

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Procedures: Botox, dermal fillers, and laser treatments are less invasive options for people wanting minor changes without the risks of surgery.

Reconstructive Surgery: Beyond cosmetic changes, reconstructive surgery is required to restore function and appearance after accident, sickness, or congenital issues.

Body Contouring: Procedures like liposuction, stomach tucks, and body lifts address excess fat and sagging skin, molding the body to a more desirable shape.

Facial Rejuvenation: Procedures including facelifts, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery try to diminish indications of aging by improving facial characteristics for a younger and more refreshed look.

Breast Augmentation or Reduction: These operations address a variety of needs, including enhancing breast size and shape, reducing discomfort, and improving symmetry.

Plastic and cosmetic surgery cost in India is an important factor to consider. Affordability, along with high-quality medical facilities, makes India a desirable destination. Rhinoplasty ($940-$2,010), breast augmentation ($1,340-$2,010), liposuction ($670-$4,020), and abdominoplasty (about $1,845 in Delhi) are some of the common prices. While plastic and cosmetic surgery in India can provide impressive results, it is important to be aware of the risks and negative aspects. Scarring, infection, nerve damage, hematoma, seroma, and an unsatisfactory cosmetic result are all common risks.

Many hospitals in India are known for their expertise in plastic and cosmetic surgery, including Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Divine Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Artemis Hospital, and others. Plastic and cosmetic surgery in India combines experience, creativity, and cost, making it a popular alternative for individuals looking for aesthetic changes. With a varied selection of procedures, competent surgeons, and advanced facilities, India is a global destination for those seeking to find their real beauty.

Al Afiya Medi Tour is a leading medical tourism company in India. We offer medical tourism services such as finding the right doctor, the right hospital, and cost estimation for medical treatment in India for foreign patients. Some of the main countries are Bangladesh, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Zambia, Sudan, Dubai, Namibia, Iraq, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and so on. We provide free medical assistance for TURP surgery cost, lung cancer treatment,, liver transplant cost, blood cancer treatment, the best hospital for heart valve replacement, liver cancer treatment, bone marrow transplant cost,arthroscopic surgery, bone marrow transplant, best liver transplant hospital, brain tumor surgery, cosmetic andplastic surgery, heart surgery, kidney transplant, spine tumor surgery,best bone marrow hospital, etc.  If you are searching for free medical and healthcare consulting to find the best hospitals and top doctors and surgeons in India for any treatment then contact us- Alafiyameditour.com. Source: https://alafiyameditour1.blogspot.com/2024/01/plastic-and-cosmetic-surgery-cost.html

[coochiequeens]

Facebook unveiled a Women’s Safety Hub and formed its team of Global Women’s Safety Expert Advisors Wednesday.

The Women’s Safety Hub acts as a centralized location for all of the safety resources women need while navigating Facebook’s platform, including specific resources for abuse survivors, journalists and women leaders.

Content includes video-on-demand safety training and the ability to register for live safety training in multiple languages.

It was developed in consultation with nonprofit partners globally, and it will soon be available in 55 languages.

Facebook’s Global Women’s Safety Expert Advisors is made up of 12 academic experts, activists and nonprofit leaders that will help the social network develop new policies, products and programs to better support women on its family of applications. They are:

Australia: Asher Flynn, associate professor of criminology at Monash University and vice president of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology.

Brazil: Enrica Duncan, project director and deputy director of Nossas, a women-led laboratory for civic engagement and activism in Latin America that develops technology to equip citizens to impact policy making.

Global: Kalliopi Mingeirou, chief of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Section at UN Women.

Hong Kong: Lisa Moore, who oversees the Women’s Foundation’s research on gender issues and leads advocacy efforts that aim to transform existing attitudes that prevent women and girls from fully participating in society.

Indonesia: Tunggal Pawestri, an independent expert on gender equality, sexual rights and diversity issues.

Ireland: Caitriona Gleeson, who spent two decades working to end gender-based violence and now leads Women for Election, a nonpartisan nonprofit that encourages and supports women in Ireland to run for politics.

Mexico: Margarita Guillé Tamayo, a social activist, founder and executive coordinator of the Interamerican Network of Women Shelters.

Morocco: Stephanie Willman Bordat, a human rights lawyer, nongovernmental organization activist and founding partner at MRA Mobilising for Rights Associates.

Philippines: Mariane Dorothy Rosario, a global advocacy champion for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and a Girls Get Equal advocate for Plan International.

South Korea: Ji-Yeon Lee, associate professor, counseling psychology at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Uganda: Neema Iyer, founder and director of Pollicy, a civic technology organization.

U.S.: Erica Olsen, who leads the TechSafety.org project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence and is an international expert on the intersection of technology and gender-based violence.

Facebook head of women’s safety Cindy Southworth wrote in a Newsroom post Wednesday, “The UN Women’s Generation Equality Forum is happening this week in Paris, which brings together governments, companies, youth and civil society to move the needle forward on gender equality. At Facebook, we have always believed that women should have equal access to all of the economic opportunities, education and social connection that the internet provides. It’s why I joined Facebook as head of women’s safety after over two decades working for nonprofits dedicated to keeping women safe.”

[gorillatripsafaris]

Choose The Finest Gorilla Trekking Companies Before You Go For A Vacation in Uganda

Gorilla Trekking is an exciting Adventure Uganda Safaris excursion in which tourists go into the deep tropical rainforest in pursuit of the endangered mountain gorillas. They spend one hour with them in their natural environment once located. Uganda is one of Africa's top Gorilla Trekking locations since it is home to half of the world's mountain gorillas, which can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in south western of Uganda.

Do you want to find the finest companies of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda? Are you looking for low-cost or high-end gorilla tour operators? There are a few of them in this guide.

Mountain Gorillas In Uganda and Rwanda have benefited their respective tourism businesses by generating revenue from the sale of gorilla licenses each year. You may have heard many stories about gorilla trekking and be eager to experience it in either of the two nations, Uganda or Rwanda.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and other primate viewing trips in Uganda and Rwanda are available via the following businesses. Here you find the list of tour businesses given here only includes reputable firms. There are numerous deals and Uganda Safari Packages available in Uganda that can include additional Uganda Safari Destinations.

Where Are The Mountain Gorillas Found In Uganda?

Mountain gorillas may be found in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Tracking takes place in five sites in these areas: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo in Bwindi Park, and Ntebeko in Mgahinga National Park. All of the places together have over 18 gorilla groups, however the permit number is limited since only 8 persons are permitted to visit a gorilla family every day for one hour.

Buhoma, located on the northern edge of the forest, is the most well-known and popular tourist destination. Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo are located on the southern edge of Bwindi, giving you access to numerous gorilla families.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park, measuring 34 kilometres in length. The park is home to one of the gorilla families that move between Uganda and Rwanda, making trekking this tiny gorilla population challenging. It is also part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which encompasses 434 kilometres of volcanic mountains that connect Uganda, Rwanda,

How Many Gorilla Families Are Found In Uganda?

There are numerous gorilla families in Uganda, however only a few have been habituated for tourist visits. By habituation, we imply creatures that have become accustomed to the presence of humans. This is also a time-consuming operation. Uganda Safari Tours has over nine gorilla families, thus the nation can only issue a maximum of eight licenses each day.

Buhoma has 4 gorilla families , Ruhija has 3 gorilla families (Bitukura,Oruzogo and Kyaguriro family) Rushaga has 6 gorilla families and 2 more for Habituation Experience and Research Nkuringo has 1 gorilla family.. These include the Habinyanja, Mubare, and Rushaga families who live in the dense tropical jungle. If you've ever seen films of humans meeting gorillas on the grounds of a resort, you've most certainly seen buhoma.

Both the Bitukura and Oruzogo families may be found in Bwindi's southern Ruhija region. The Nkuringo, Nshongi, Kahunje, Rushaga, and Businge families live in the southern portion of Bwindi.

In recent days, it has also been feasible to follow the Nyakagezi family, Mgahinga National Park's sole habituated family. Because the gorillas cross the border, viewing is unpredictable. According to UWA, the Nyakagezi family is one of the most entertaining gorilla families to walk with. It also has a larger number of silverbacks than the rest of the group.

Things To Be Done After Trekking Mountain Gorilla In Uganda:

·         You may travel to Uganda to go Gorilla Trekking, but you may find yourself doing a variety of other activities as well. Just take a deep breath, and you'll appreciate to the ultimate mountain Gorilla Trekking Guide.

·         Bwindi forest is home to 120 animal species, 30 elephants, 360 bird species, and over 200 butterfly species. Furthermore, the African Bird Club ranked Bwindi as Africa's top birding location.

·         The gloomy woodland is also not the easiest place to view birds, and an experienced bird guide can lure them out of the jungle by expertly mimicking their sounds. Bird watching is also a great activity to do after going gorilla trekking.

·         There are 324 tree species documented in Bwindi, including gigantic fern trees, bushes, and vines. There are also nature walks that aid in seeing orchids and monkeys, as well as guided bird watching safaris that can be booked.

·         There is also a stroll that is highly suggested to observe several of the three waterfalls that are located inside the section. If you have the leisure, you may go for a day stroll from one side of Bwindi to the other.

·         The Mgahinga gorilla national park is also one of the few places in Uganda where travellers may view golden monkeys. I also believe that this guided hiking trip above the calderas and inside the bamboo forest was excellent, which implies that permits may be purchased when you arrive in Mgahinga.

·         Uganda, as a country, offers numerous activities to do and sights to visit, so you may regret rushing home. There are wildlife safaris to see lions, elephants, 100 different bird species, chimp trekking, friendly people, lake rides in dugout boats, and white water rafting.

·         White river rafting, village community project visits, tasting Ugandan food, quad riding, fishing, African dancing, and boat excursions to see the gorgeous waterfalls, hippos, and crocodiles. These are just a few of the attractions in Rwanda.

Tips Of Buying A Gorilla Trekking Permit In Uganda

In order to reserve the gorilla permits in Uganda, you will need to agree which gorilla family you would like to visit. The reservations office will also guide you on which family to trek, these will advise on your fitness level and the accommodation favourites. The gorilla families are also spread over a wide area and it’s so important that you book the accommodation which is within an hour’s drive and its a few minutes’ walk.

To buy the gorilla permits, you should visit Uganda wildlife Authority office, Kira road, Kampala or send an email at reservations@ugandawildlife.org.

The Tips of Buying Gorilla Permits in Rwanda                       

Buying gorilla permits in Uganda its advisable to do it through a local tour operator though one can still get them through Uganda wildlife authority offices in Kampala. Here you don’t have to agree on a particular gorilla family when buying your gorilla permits in Rwanda. You will also be given a family to track on the day of your actual gorilla trek, and this will depend on your fitness level.

Rwanda gorilla trekking permits can be got through a local tour operator or at RDB tourism and conservation offices or you can send an email at reservation @Rwanda tourism.com.

Where To Stay In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Buhoma Region:

There are adequate and pleasant budget facilities for hikers, students, and researchers approximately 2 kilometres from the Buhoma entrance to the national park. The earnings from the gorilla conservation camp are used entirely towards conservation.

Buhoma Lodge is one of two beautiful lodges in Bwindi National Park. This lodge is likewise a premium eco resort located on a hill with stunning views of the rain forest.

Bwindi Lodge:

The Nkuringo gorilla camp is located on the summit of the hill. This camp overlooks the Bwindi Forest, while on the other side; guests can see the Virunga Volcanoes' eight volcanic peaks.

Where To Stay In Mgahinga National Park?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is about a 5-minute walk away from Mount Gahinga Lodge. It's nestled among the volcanic peaks, it's a four-star eco-lodge, and it serves good meals. Every stay includes a complementary message and several well-developed community projects, which are a big hit with the guests.

Expectations on Your Gorilla Trekking In Uganda:

Gorilla trekking registration as well as briefing takes place at Uganda wildlife Authority park offices from 7:45 am and trekking also begins at exactly 8:30 am. In Uganda, you will be given a specific gorilla family to trek at the time of buying the gorilla permit. Some of the gorilla permits are so easier to track than others; and this also depends on what altitude they range, or what exact distance they cover during the day.

This trek usually takes 1 to 3 hours before finding the gorilla family. In case you are so fit, going through these dense forest of Bwindi , with the ranger riding through the occasional branch with his blade in front of you, can be a loving adventure.

There are several advantages to taking Gorilla Trekking Safari with Saso Uganda Safaris.

At SASO Uganda Safaris Ltd we believe and work towards ensuring that tourism maximizes the benefits to local communities, minimizes negative social and environmental impacts, and helps local people conserve fragile cultures, habitats and species.

Here the travelers are not only assured that their coming benefits local communities and economies and that the business is operated ethically and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, but they also have a more fulfilling holiday experience with our Gorilla Trekking Tips.

Visit our site to know further information at gorillatrips.net

[newstfionline]

Sunday, June 20, 2021

Businesses, U.S. legislators fume as Canada extends travel ban (Reuters) Canada is extending a ban on non-essential travel with the United States and the rest of the world until July 21, officials said on Friday, prompting frustration from businesses and U.S. legislators. Canada is under pressure from companies and the tourism industry to ease the ban, which was imposed in March 2020 to help contain spread of the coronavirus and has been renewed on a monthly basis ever since. But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood firm, saying the border would stay largely shut until 75% of Canadians had received the first of a two-dose coronavirus vaccine and 20% had been given both shots. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce—a national group that advocates for businesses—lamented what it said was Ottawa’s excessive caution.

Many Americans resuming pre-virus activities (AP) Many Americans are relaxing precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and resuming everyday activities, even as some worry that coronavirus-related restrictions were hastily lifted, a new poll shows. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that majorities of Americans who were regularly doing so before the pandemic say they are returning to bars or restaurants, traveling and attending events such as movies or sports. Andrea Moran, a 36-year-old freelance writer and mother of two boys, said she feels both relief and joy at the chance to resume “doing the little things,” such as having drinks on a restaurant patio with her husband. “Honestly, I almost cried,” Moran said. “It’s such a feeling of having been through the wringer, and we’re finally starting to come out of it.” Still, 34% of Americans think restrictions in their area have been lifted too quickly, while somewhat fewer—27%—say they were not lifted quickly enough. About 4 in 10 rate the pace of reopening about right.

Voting debate roils Washington but leaves many voters cold (AP) Brenda Martinez, a 19-year-old community college student, thinks the government should help immigrant students more. Donald Huffman is worried about turning 50 next week with no work available because the federal government is delaying the pipelines he usually helps build. Binod Neupane, who just moved to Texas to research alternative fuels, wants action on climate change. The three Texas voters have little in common politically other than one thing—none considers voting and election reform, the issue that has dominated partisan debate this year, a top priority. As politicians from Austin to Washington battle over the practical aspects of how to run elections—clashing over details such as polling booth hours and the number of ballot drop boxes per county—many voters are disconnected from the fight. A passionate base of voters and activists on both sides may be intensely dialed in on the issue, but a disengaged middle is baffled at the attention.

Trust in government (The Spectator) Since 1958, the Gallup polling organization has periodically asked Americans how much they trust the federal government to do what is right. In 1958, 73 percent said ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’. Trust hit its high point in 1964, when that figure stood at 77 percent. Then it began to fall. By 1980, only 27 percent trusted the government to do what is right. That percentage rebounded to the low forties during the Reagan years, then fell to a new low, 19 percent, in 1994. It rebounded again, hitting a short-lived high of 54 percent just after 9/11. Then it plunged again, hitting another new low, 15 percent, in 2011. It has been in the 15- to 20 percent range ever since. A government that is distrusted by more than 80 percent of the citizens has a bipartisan legitimacy problem.

‘There’s no water,’ says California farm manager (Reuters) Salvador Parra, the manager of Burford Ranch in California’s Central Valley agricultural breadbasket, is worried about the lack of water. California’s worst drought since 1977 has forced Parra to leave fallow 2,000 of his 6,000 acres and dig deep for water to save the crops already planted. “There’s not very much being grown out there, just because there’s no water. There’s literally no water,” said Parra. In a good year, the ranch grows everything from garlic, onions, tomatoes and alfalfa to cotton. This year, Parra needs emergency water sources just to bring a reduced crop to harvest.

Mexico City shuts down classes again, enters higher COVID-19 risk tier (Reuters) Mexico City schools that had just gone back to in-person classes will be closed again starting Monday as the sprawling capital climbs into a higher tier of coronavirus risk, education authorities said on Saturday. Mexico City officials had loosened restrictions on gatherings in schools, hotels, stores and restaurants just two weeks ago as the dense urban zone moved into the lowest risk tier of the government's four-level "traffic light" model. But the federal Health Ministry on Friday evening put Mexico City, home to more than 9 million people, a step higher on the scale for June 21 to July 4.

Peru ex-military stir election tensions with appeal to Armed Forces to “remedy” poll (Reuters) A group of retired officers has suggested Peru’s military should refuse to recognize socialist candidate Pedro Castillo if he is declared winner of the country’s presidential election if fraud allegations are not investigated, according to a letter circulated widely on social media on Friday. Interim president Francisco Sagasti confirmed the letter, which was posted on Twitter and Facebook, arrived at the general headquarters of the armed forces, bearing the names of at least 80 retired military personnel. Friday’s letter appealed to military chiefs to “act rigorously” and “remedy” the “demonstrated irregularities” that took place during the vote or risk having an “illegal and illegitimate” commander in chief at the helm of the country. The tight election has deeply divided citizens of the world’s second-largest copper producer. Protest marches by supporters of both candidates take place almost daily in downtown Lima, calling for a swift resolution and respect for the popular will.

Drought in Brazil (Financial Times) The worst drought in almost a century has left millions of Brazilians facing water shortages and the risk of power blackouts, complicating the country’s efforts to recover from the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The agricultural centers in São Paulo state and Mato Grosso do Sul have been worse affected, after the November-March rainy season produced the lowest level of rainfall in 20 years. Water levels in the Cantareira system of reservoirs, which serves about 7.5m people in São Paulo city, dropped to below one-tenth of its capacity this year. Brazil’s mines and energy ministry has called it country’s worst drought in 91 years.

Paris’ tough suburbs (AP) Violent rivalries have long been part of the policing geography in the rotting high-rises of tough Paris-region neighborhoods where inequalities and hardship are often more common than good jobs and opportunities. But police say that fighting over turf or differences of race, religion and cultures wasn’t always as savage as it increasingly is now. “It’s more and more violent,” the police major said as he worked to reconstruct this week’s chain of events, from a clash in a pipe-smoking bar to a full-blown brawl between opposing groups from Pakistani and North African communities. “In a fight that perhaps 20 years ago would have been sorted out with fists or kicks, we now see people being run over with cars,” he said. “The population is increasingly violent. It’s no longer simply fighting. They absolutely have to win, even if that means leaving someone in agony on the floor.” Police are also increasingly the targets of violence. Most recently, the murders of two police officials in April and May—one in a stabbing, the other in a shooting during a drug bust—reinforced officers’ concerns that enforcing the law in France is an increasingly perilous profession.

Chips, Taiwan, and China (WSJ/The Wire China) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. makes almost all of the world’s most sophisticated chips, and many of the simpler ones, too. They’re in billions of products with built-in electronics, including iPhones, personal computers and cars—all without any obvious sign they came from TSMC, which does the manufacturing for better-known companies that design them, like Apple and Qualcomm. TSMC has emerged over the past several years as the world’s most important semiconductor company, with enormous influence over the global economy. With a market cap of around $550 billion, it ranks as the world’s 11th most valuable company. Its dominance leaves the world in a vulnerable position, however. As more technologies require chips of mind-boggling complexity, more are coming from this one company, on an island that’s a focal point of tensions between the U.S. and China, which claims Taiwan as its own.

Hard-line judiciary head wins Iran presidency as turnout low (AP) Iran’s hard-line judiciary chief won the country’s presidential election in a landslide victory Saturday, propelling the supreme leader’s protégé into Tehran’s highest civilian position in a vote that appeared to see the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history. Initial results showed Ebrahim Raisi won 17.8 million votes in the contest, dwarfing those of the race’s sole moderate candidate. However, Raisi dominated the election only after a panel under the watch of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei disqualified his strongest competition. His candidacy, and the sense the election served more as a coronation for him, sparked widespread apathy among eligible voters in the Islamic Republic, which has held up turnout as a sign of support for the theocracy since its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Uganda tightening measures due to virus surge (AP) Uganda is tightening its lockdown measures to try and stem a surge in coronavirus infections in the East African country that is seeing an array of variants. The measures announced late Friday by President Yoweri Museveni include a ban on private and public transportation within and across districts, including in the capital Kampala. Only vehicles carrying cargo and those transporting the sick or essential workers are permitted to operate on the roads. The normally crowded shops in downtown Kampala have also been ordered shut. An ongoing nighttime curfew will stay in place. The new measures will last 42 days.

[thinktosee]

INSTITUTIONAL HATE CRIME – A NARROW DEFINITION OF GENDER AND MORALITY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

Image courtesy Amnestyusa.org

“When he was 16 years old, he came to my room and said he wanted to talk to me. And I said, “Yeah, sure go ahead.”

“Well, I thought you should know that I’m gay,” he told me simply.

I looked at him and all I could think of was, How am I to protect him from discrimination and bullying? Yet all I could manage to say to him at this critical time was, “Well, that’s great. I’m glad you told me. We are your family and we support you.” I reached out and hugged my son.”(1)

- from David’s biography, “Walking in my Son’s footsteps. David’s fight for freedom.”

“It is possible that the law, which is clearsighted in one sense, and blind in another, might in some cases, be too severe.” (2)

- French philosopher, Montesquieu (1689-1755)

Why would a parent, upon discovering that their child is gay, feel a sense of foreboding where it concerned the child’s safety and security? And what and who caused this feeling of fear or foreboding in me?

The ancient law (1871, amended 1938) against homosexuality in Singapore and in many parts of the former British Empire, remains in force to this day. (3) Generations of citizens were and continue to be narrowly socialized to the belief that homosexuality is immoral and that homosexual or same-sex love and marriage deviate from the normative. This law levies an enormous burden onto the LGBTQ community in so far as it enables or activates societal discrimination where none existed before, foments hatred and disdain among the citizenry for same-sex relationships, and upends justice, equal rights and dignity for the LGBTQ community.

That was the basis for my fear when David shared with me that he was gay. How does one begin to address an issue which is institutional and systemic in its very foundation? The law is the problem, failing miserably to serve justice, as Montesquieu averred. This is the challenge which the LGBTQ communities throughout the world have been grappling with for centuries. It is a struggle paid in sacrificial blood, many times over. And it will go on, until a time when we acknowledge that diversity and inclusivity are mutually reinforcing. Love does not get filtered at the border because the state or religious institution says it must. It is they who have placed a limit on their love, apparently.

Global Historical Overview of homosexuality

The history of the LGBTQ communities and cultures on our planet is as colourfully and richly elongated and layered as any within the realm of human civilization. Ancient cultures such as “Indian, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Roman accommodate homosexuality and crossdressing among….its citizens since the earliest recorded times.” (4) Similarly, in “ancient China….same-sex sexual behaviors were well-received and tolerated. Positive descriptions of homosexual behavior, or Nan-Feng as it was called, in historical records and in Chinese literature can be dated back to the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD).” (5) Pre-European colonial African societies, including in what are present-day Nigeria and Uganda, were relatively inclusive in their approach to same-sex or gender relationships.(6) In the First Nations or pre-settler/colonial American societies, two spirits and multiple genders were universally embraced and accepted. (7)

These societies exhibited a keen sense of spirituality and diversity, of moderation and acceptance of LGBTQ peoples and cultures, which we in this enlightened age may find quite surprising. We should not however. Researchers have, to some degree, attached the adverse change in society’s approach to homosexuality to the onset of European colonialism (16th to 20th centuries) :  

“In the age of European exploration and empire-building, Native American, North African and Pacific Islander cultures accepting of “Two-Spirit” people or same-sex love shocked European invaders who objected to any deviation from a limited understanding of “masculine” and “feminine” roles.” (8)

- Prof. Bonny J. Morris

“Transgender histories in the United States, like the broader national histories of which they form a part, originate in colonial contact zones where members of the arriving culture encountered kinds of people it struggled to comprehend.” (9)

- Prof. Susan Stryker

Accompanying these colonial invasions, were European administrative, linguistic, religious, educational, philosophical and juridical systems, beliefs and traditions. This alien cultural web, in most part codified, either through a caste or racially-affected administrative system or via prayer book and canons, or both, had its intended effect of diminishing or worse, eviscerating the native or indigenous culture, including their ancient belief system. Displacement and assimilation of the natives to the new paradigm were achieved through these extreme mechanisms.

To understand the criminalization and persecution of LGBTQ peoples and cultures, it is necessary to appreciate the intent of colonialism – a private cum state economic model (the East India Companies, Hudson Bay Company, etc.) requiring the creation of a unified or standardized, and exclusively hierarchical system of conduct and control, onto a traditional (organized) and diverse society or culture. This is to assure the latter’s coherence to the colonial enterprise through a coercive (violent), and extensive system of natural resource allocation and exploitation. Genocide and slavery were among its most extreme and tragic manifestations. Modern colonialism, depicted by European conquests across the planet, is arguably the first attempt in recent memory, to creating a unitary world – standardization of laws and governing institutions to address the complex administrative challenges inherent in diverse cultures and norms within the European empire. Diversity of cultures, thought and behaviours were among the first victims. The histories of the First Nations’ societies in the Americas and Australia serve as prime and tragic examples. (10), (11) It should also be stressed that European colonialism, in the context of this essay, includes 20th century Soviet and China-style communism, where an alien and totalitarian ideology was coercively employed across the Eastern European and Central and East Asian landmass, to suppress the local or indigenous peoples, their cultures and beliefs, in furtherance of a unitary political, economic and social order. Not surprisingly, the Soviet Union were also at the forefront of research into medical and psychotherapeutic or “corrective” procedures for homosexuality.(12)

The history and dignity of the LGBTQ peoples are inextricably linked to the plight of the indigenous communities, as they struggled from the 16th to 20th centuries against European-sourced colonialism. While almost every former European colony is considered an independent state today, the laws against same-sex relations and marriage remain on the statutes in many of these domains. Societal attitudes have no doubt evolved over the years, and consistent with the growing awareness of LGBTQ culture and social justice movements. A factor which appears to be holding the state back is the feeling that society is not ready to accept equal rights for the LGBTQ community. (13)  That being the case, what are we doing to prepare society for a future which recognizes and confers equal rights to the LGBTQ community, as we would any other citizen or community? Or as this Time Magazine article headlined :

“Homophobia Is Not an Asian Value. It’s Time for the East to Reconnect to its Own Traditions of Tolerance.” (14)

In Singapore’s context, what are we, as a society doing to :

- learn more about LGBTQ rights, discrimination and culture?

- what are the public education system and mass media doing about this?

- why are foreign-owned businesses prevented from sponsoring LGBTQ festivals and gatherings? How does this play out in terms of encouraging or dissuading local businesses to lend their support?

- learn of the discrimination against LGBTQ people in terms of equal access to public housing, employment, marriage and mental health care?

These are just a few questions which society should address constructively.

Years from now, when equal rights for the LGBTQ community have come to pass in most parts of the world, historians will look back and perhaps conclude that the community was subjected to a prolonged and systematic campaign of hate, which was originated and sustained by the state, and in some domains, performed in concert with religious figures/institutions.

“David was gay. He cared deeply about the rights of LGBTQ people everywhere. He attended the annual Pink Dot event since 2013. He felt discrimination in any form, especially through the law, was nothing short of Bullying. This included Singapore’s Penal Code Section 377A, criminalizing all gay persons…..David felt strongly that overcoming discrimination requires an unwavering commitment to free speech. He would never compromise….” (15)

- “Walking In My Son’s footsteps. David’s fight for freedom.”

Sources/References

1. Singh, Harmohan. “Walking in my son’s footsteps. David’s fight for freedom.” p68. Thinktosee Press, 2020

2. Montesquieu. “The Spirit of Laws.” Book IX, Chap 6. Originally published in 1748.

3. Radics, George Baylon. “Section 377a in Singapore and the (De)Criminalization of Homosexuality.” p3.  National University of Singapore. 2015

4. Wilhelm, Amara Das. “Tritiya-Prakriti : The People of the Third Sex: Understanding Homosexuality, Transgender Identity and Intersex Conditions Through Hinduism.” p68. Xlibris Corporation, 2010.

5. Zhang, Yuxin. “China’s misunderstood history of Gay tolerance.” The Diplomat. June 22, 2015

6. Alimi, Bisi. “If you say being gay is not African, you don’t know your history.” The Guardian. Sep 9, 2015

7. Davis-Young, Katherine. “For Many Native Americans, embracing LGBT members is a return to the past.” The Washington Post. Mar 30, 2019

8. Morris, Bonny J. “History of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Social Movements.” American Psychological Association

History of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Social Movements (apa.org)

9. Stryker, Susan. “Transgender History in the United States and the Places that Matter.” A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer History. National Park Service, Dept of the Interior. 2016

10. Holocaust Museum Houston, “Genocide of Indigenous Peoples.”

HMH | Genocide of Indigenous Peoples

11. The Guardian, “The killing times : the massacres of Aboriginal People Australia must confront.” Mar 3, 2019

12. Alexander, Rustam. ”Homosexuality in USSR (1956-1982).” p173. University of Melbourne. 2018

13. Velasquez, Tony. “Keeping it straight. PM says Singapore not ready for gay marriage.” ABS-CBN News, June 27, 2015.

14. Wong, Brian. “Homophobia Is Not an Asian Value. It’s Time for the East to Reconnect to its Own Traditions of Tolerance.” Time Magazine, Dec 17, 2020.

15. Singh, Harmohan. “Walking in my son’s footsteps. David’s fight for freedom.” P130. Thinktosee Press, 2020

[radical-archives]

Women in US government (2015 statistics)

Women in Congress currently hold 19.4% of 535 seats.

There are only 3 women in the US Supreme Court.

Women hold only 20% of the 100 seats in the Senate.

Women hold only 19.3% of 435 seats in the House.

Women hold only  25% of 312 statewide executive seats.

Women hold only 25% of 5411 seats in the State House/Assembly.

Only 24.3% of women hold 7383 seats in State Legislature.

Only 17% of 100 seats belong to women mayors in the 100 largest cities.

Only 18.4% of women hold 1393 seats as mayors in cities over 30,000.

Women in the media (2015 statistics)

Film:

Men were 73 percent of all Hollywood TV writers in 2012. Women were 27 percent.

Women television writers earned about 92 cents for every dollar that white male writers earned in 2012, a penny more than the 91 cents women earned in 2009.

Men writing for film accounted for 85 percent of all screenwriters. Women represented 15 percent. That compared to 17 percent in 2009 and meant that men screenwriters outnumbered women screenwriters by a more than 3 to 1 margin.

Women film writers earned 77 cents for every dollar earned by white male film writers in 2012, down from 82 cents in 2009.

The share of minority television writers rose to 11 percent in 2012 from 10 percent in 2009. But, by a 3 to 1 margin, white TV writers outnumbered minority TV writers.

Minorities represented 6 percent of film writers for the decade ending in 2009, when that rate fell to 5 percent. In 2012, the figure remained at 5 percent, which meant that minorities were outnumbered by 7 to 1.

While writers aged 41 to 50 got most of the gigs in Hollywood, that reality largely reversed itself once those writers turned 60.

Facebook’s Workforce is:

69 percent male overall, and 77 percent male in the leadership ranks.

57 percent white, 34 percent Asian, 4 percent Latino, 3 percent bi-racial or multi-racial and 2 percent Black overall.

Of workers in tech jobs, 85 percent were male and 15 percent were female.

Of all those tech workers, 53 percent were white, 41 percent were Asian, 3 percent were Latino, 2 percent were bi-racial or multi-racial and 1 percent was black.

Of workers in non-tech sectors, 53 percent were male and 47 percent were female.

Of non-tech sector jobs, 63 percent were held by whites, 24 percent by Asians, 6 percent by Latinos, 4 percent by bi-racial or multi-racial persons, 2 percent by blacks and 1 percent by people of some other race.

Google’s Workforce:

70 percent of all workers were male and 61 percent of them were white.

Additionally, men accounted for 79 percent of Google executives, 83 percent of tech workers and 52 percent of its non-tech workers as of January 2014, the month for which Google calculated data it released to the public in August 2014.

LinkdIn:

75 percent of LinkedIn’s leaders were male.

Of all company leaders, 65 percent were white, 28 percent were Asian, 4 percent were Latino, 3 percent were bi-racial or multi-racial, and 1 percent each was black or some other race.

53 percent of all LinkedIn workers in the United States were white, 38 percent were Asian, 4 percent were Latino, 2 percent were black, 2 percent were bi-racial or multi-racial and 1 percent was of some other race.

83 percent of LinkedIn workers in tech jobs were male.

Racially, 60 percent of tech workers were Asian, 34 percent were white, 3 percent were Latino and 1 percent each were black, bi-racial or multi-racial, or some other ethnicity.

Of those in non-tech jobs, 53 percent were male and 47 percent were female. Racially, 63 percent of non-tech job-holders were white, 26 percent were Asian, 5 percent were Latino, 3 percent each were black or bi-racial/multi-racial and 1 percent was some other race.

Yahoo:

Of Yahoo employees who were at least vice presidents or even higher up the corporate ladder, 77 percent were men, according to Figures Yahoo Chief Development Officer Jacqueline Reses released in June 2014.

Yahoo has a female CEO, Marissa Mayer.

Men held 85 percent of Yahoo tech jobs and 47 percent of non-tech jobs.

Yahoo provided a racial breakdown for its U.S. workforce only: 50 percent of employees were white, 39 percent were Asian, 4 percent were Latino, 2 percent each were black, of mixed race or did not disclose their race. In the C-suite of Yahoo’s U.S. offices, 78 percent of executives were white; 17 percent were Asian; 2 percent each were either Latino, of mixed race or did not disclose their race; and 1 percent was black.

Apple:

Men comprised 70 percent of computer, mobile giant Apple’s workforce Apple reported that seven out of 10 members of its global workforce are men. The Cupertino, California-based company’s announcement was based on summer 2014 personnel data.

Apple reported that females accounted for: 28 percent of its leader ranks. 35 percent of its non-tech employees.

20 percent of its tech employees.  

On-screen development:

By race, 74 percent of female characters were white, 14 percent were black, 6 percent were Asian, 5 percent were Latina and 1 percent were some other ethnicity.

Women actors had 42 percent of all speaking parts, a drop of 1 percent from 2012-13 but higher than 1997- 98’s 39 percent.

As women characters aged, they were less likely to be cast. Of all female characters, 32 percent were in their 30s and 17 percent were in their 40s. The respective Figures for male characters were 33 percent and 25 percent.

Males directed 86 percent of all TV episodes.

White males directed 7 out of 10 episodes.

All women and minority men, combined, directed 3 out of 10 episodes.

Men of color directed 17 percent of all episodes, an increase over the previous year.

White women directed 12 percent of all episodes, the same rate as the previous year.

Women of color directed 2 percent of all episodes, the same rate as the previous year.

Overall, by age, 59 percent of female characters were in their 20s and 30s, while 58 percent of male characters were in their 30s and 40s.

Of all characters, 3 percent of females and 4 percent of males were older than 60.

Females accounted for 46 percent of characters in programs with at least one female writer and 39 percent of characters in shows with no female writers.

Females accounted for 47 percent of the cast in shows with at least one female creator and 39 percent of the cast in shows with no female creators.

In that cumulative category, these researchers concluded that in 2013-14 women were: 40 percent of producers, which was up from 38 percent in 2012-13. 26 percent of writers in 2013-14, down from 30 percent in 2012-13.  21 percent of executive producers, down from 24 percent in 2012-13.

19 percent of creators, down from 23 percent in 2012-13.

16 percent of editors, which was unchanged from 2012-13.

13 percent of directors, up from 11 percent in 2012-13.

1 percent of directors of photography, down from 2 percent in 2012-13.

Women in video game development:

Overall, 48 percent of gamers were female.

Women and men each purchased 50 percent of video games.

Women aged 18 and older were 36 percent of gamers, while boys aged 18 and younger were 17 percent of gamers.

On average, all adult gamers have been playing for 16 years; women have been playing for 13 years, on average, and men for an average of 18 years

Online Harassment:

Of young women aged 18-24, 26 percent said they had been stalked online and 25 percent said they were sexually harassed online, and that some of those threats were sustained over an extended period. In addition, women said “they do not escape the heightened rates of physical threats and sustained harassment common to their male peers and young people in general.”  Women were more likely than men to find their most recent experience with online harassment extremely or very upsetting; 38 percent of those women and 17 percent of those men described their suffering in those terms.

Although they hold almost 52 percent of all professional-level jobs, American women lag substantially behind men when it comes to their representation in leadership positions (source):

They are only 14.6 percent of executive officers, 8.1 percent of top earners, and 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs.

They hold just 16.9 percent of Fortune 500 board seats.

In the financial services industry, they make up 54.2 percent of the labor force, but are only 12.4 percent of executive officers, and 18.3 percent of board directors. None are CEOs.

They account for 78.4 percent of the labor force in health care and social assistance but only 14.6 percent of executive officers and 12.4 percent of board directors. None, again, are CEOs.

In the legal field, they are 45.4 percent of associates—but only 25 percent of nonequity partners and 15 percent of equity partners.

In medicine, they comprise 34.3 percent of all physicians and surgeons but only 15.9 percent of medical school deans.

In information technology, they hold only 9 percent of management positions and account for only 14 percent of senior management positions at Silicon Valley startups.

White men–by overwhelming numbers–hold the majority of power, wealth, and authority in the US.

Now that we have covered how women are oppressed by men in America, let’s look at the demographics of US women vs. other regions worldwide in violence statistics.

Regional data (source):

The report represents data regionally according to WHO regions.

For intimate partner violence, the type of violence against women for which more data were available, the worst affected regions were:

South-East Asia - 37.7% prevalence. Based on aggregated data from Bangladesh, Timor-Leste (East Timor), India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand.

Eastern Mediterranean - 37% prevalence. Based on aggregated data from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine.

Africa – 36.6% prevalence. Based on aggregated data from Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

For combined intimate partner and non-partner sexual violence or both among all women of 15 years or older, prevalence rates were as follows:

Africa – 45.6%

Americas – 36.1%

Eastern Mediterranean – 36.4%* (No data were available for non-partner sexual violence in this region)

Europe – 27.2%

South-East Asia – 40.2%

Western Pacific – 27.9%

High income countries – 32.7%

Violence against women in high-income countries:

In Canada a study of adolescents aged 15 to 19 found that 54 per cent of girls had experienced “sexual coercion” in a dating relationship. v

In the United States, 83 percent of girls aged 12 to 16 experience some for of sexual harassment in public schools. xviii

The United States is the third country with the highest rape statistics.

Another source on how the US has awful sexual assault rates.

The United States is rated one of the highest countries in the world for violence.

The US is a terrible place for women.

22 countries where the gender wage gap is smaller than the US

U.S. women are more likely to die during childbirth than women in any other developed country, leading the U.S. to be ranked 33rd among 179 countries on the health and well-being of women and children.

US women paid less in every industry.

The U.S. ranks high on education and economic opportunities for women. But it ranks 60th on political empowerment, compared to Canada’s (ranked 20th overall) 42nd position.

[compiled by @question-the-status-quo on this post]

[rayarmat]

Doctors Tell U.S. Senate About A Low-Cost COVID-19 “Miracle Drug”: Facebook, Federal Agencies & Social Media Are Blocking Us!

The following is part of the testimony by Pierre Kory, M.D.. Associate Professor of Medicine. St. Luke's Aurora Medical Center, before the Homeland Security Committee in the U.S. Senate (Full Details Here). He reported that his clinical group, led by Professor Paul E. Marik, has developed a highly effective protocol for preventing and early treatment of COVID-19 using a low-cost drug but their work has been ignored by Federal agencies and even censored by Facebook and social media. Separately, Jane M. Orient, M.D., Executive Director, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons laments: “Federal Agencies are effectively blocking treatment that could prevent 100,000 needless deaths, What we need is effective Early treatment for COVID-19” (Videos shown below):

Dr. Kory: “We can find no other significant efforts to research the use of any other already existing, safe, low-cost therapeutic agents. Seemingly the only research and treatment focus that we have observed on a national scale is with novel or high-cost pharmaceutically engineered products such as remdesivir, monoclonal antibodies, tocilizumab, with all such therapies costing thousands of dollars ... Another barrier has been the censorship of all of our attempts at disseminating critical scientific information on facebook and other social media with our pages repeatedly being blocked.” 

“Finally, we believe the lack of clinical experts on the existing task forces is further hindering progress on identifying effective therapeutics. We can identify almost no members with any similarities to the skill set, clinical knowledge base, and patient care experience to our group of expert clinicians. Existing members all seem to be either physician leaders of large health care organizations or have research backgrounds. Although many must have had some bedside experience in the care of patients in their careers, there seem to be almost none that have been at the bedside of COVID- 19 patients in any appreciable fashion during this pandemic. Expert clinician panels such as ours have large amounts of valuable insights and wisdom and we are extremely pleased to share our recent discovery of the immense potency of Ivermectin in COVID-19. Ivermectin is highly safe, widely available, and low cost. Its discovery was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine, and is already included on the WHO’s “World’s List of Essential Medicines.” We now have data from over 20 well-designed clinical studies, ten of them randomized, controlled trials, with every study consistently reporting large magnitude and statistically significant benefits in decreasing transmission rates, shortening recovery times, decreasing hospitalizations, or large reductions in deaths. This clinical data is also supported by multiple basic science, in-vitro and animal studies. Our manuscript, completed one week ago, is already out of date due to the near daily emergence of new, positive ivermectin studies. The manuscript has been posted on the medical pre-print server OSF (Open Science Foundation) and can be downloaded here https://osf.io/wx3zn/ or on our organization’s website, www.flccc.net. A more updated meta-analysis and review authored by a group of Ph.D. researchers and scientists includes all ivermectin studies as of December 4th, 2020 and can be found on the c19study.com website here: https://ivmmeta.com/

These data show that ivermectin is effectively a “miracle drug” against COVID-19. The magnitude of the effect is similar to its Nobel prize-worthy historical impacts against parasitic disease across many parts of the globe. It should be noted that that Merck, the pharmaceutical company whose scientists helped discover ivermectin, has from the first availability of the drug, donated hundreds of millions of doses for free to support the WHO parasite eradication programs. We believe a similar initiative is needed to eradicate the globe from the scourge of COVID-19. Our group held a press conference this past Friday, December 4th at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, issuing a “Call to Action.” We made a formal request to our national and global health care agencies and leaders to rapidly assess the growing scientific evidence on ivermectin and update treatment guidelines accordingly. We noted that the last treatment recommendation on ivermectin is from August 27th where on the NIH website, they recommended that ivermectin only be used in clinical trials and they based that recommendation as “expert opinion” only given the lack of clinical studies at the time. There is now a wealth of studies reporting efficacy of ivermectin.”

“In that press conference, we called for a rapid and updated review of this evidence in the hopes a treatment recommendation could be made and thus saving many thousands of lives, quickly. The press conference was broadcast via the Associated Press and Univision to nearly every country globally. The Health Ministry of the Government of Uganda is currently reviewing our manuscript with the intent of incorporating our treatment protocol into a national treatment guideline. It is now 48 hours later and, although it has been shared widely, we have not heard from:

• Any national news radio, newspaper or television station

• Any single member of any U.S health care agency

• One notable exception is the interest shown by the Health Ministry of the Government of Uganda as they are currently reviewing our manuscript with the intent of incorporating our treatment protocol into a national treatment guideline. We know of no similar effort by any US health care agency at this time. (This point can be omitted if necessary)”

“This is unacceptable as we have documented evidence that leading members of Operation Warp Speed, including Janet Woodcock had planned to watch our press conference as have multiple members of the CDC and military as well as journalists from major national news outlets who watched. Again, 48 hours later and no contact from any health official or major news outlet. We are still hopeful to hear soon from the government and media. I now will briefly review and summarize the emerging scientific data demonstrating the efficacy of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.”

You can see the full testimony HERE:

https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/early-outpatient-treatment-an-essential-part-of-a-covid-19-solution-part-ii

Other participants:

Ramin Oskoui, M.D., Vice President of Medical Staff, Sibley Memorial Hospital and Chief Executive Officer, Foxhall Cardiology

Jean-Jacques Rajter, M.D. Pulmonologist, Broward Health Medical Center

Armand Balboni, M.D., PH.D., Chief Executive Officer Appili Therapeutics Inc.

Jane M. Orient, M.D.Executive Director, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons

Jayanta Bhattacharya, M.D., PH.D., Professor of Medicine, Stanford University and Senior Fellow Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, Stanford University

Additional Note

In a related published study, 95 suspected patients of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 were included. The controls (Group-A) received azithromycin (AZI) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for seven days while the cases (Group-B) received Ivermectin+AZI+HCQ for six days. Ivermectin use was associated with reduced duration of febrile illness in COVID-19 in outpatient setting, thus potentially saving precious lives, reducing direct load on healthcare facilities and preventing high cost of management in a community setting.

[gorillatripsafaris]

The Best Destination To See The Tree Climbing Lions In Uganda

Tree Climbing Lions In Uganda are one of the main attractions found in Uganda’s second-largest national park that is Queen Elizabeth National Park. A trip to Queen Elizabeth is not complete without seeing this spectacular attractions in Uganda Safari Tours.

The tree climbing lions are uniquely built and as they laze around the trees and you will be able to enjoy watching these big cats as you drive through the Park. The lions can be seen sitting in the trees while digesting their food and also spotting the little animals that move around the park while plotting for their next hunt.

Take a look on the following post of Uganda Safaris to know more information about tree climbing lions with the famous Uganda Attractions.

Why Do Lions Climb Trees?

Some people think that these lions climb the trees to protect themselves against ground flies, like tsetse fly do, to avoid the heat on the ground.

There is no unique reason why lions climb into trees, but because they prefer to unwind, especially at night, on branches in the trees, they may escape heat from the floor.

Because of these lions, the Ishasha sector has grown so popular.

How To See These Tree Climbing Lions In Uganda?

Make sure that you pass the Ishasha sector as you proceed to Kasese in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The area is located in the south-west region of the park.

The tree climbing lions are the primary sight in this field. In the Kasenyi sector, you won't see as many animals as you would see.

Your visit to the Ishasha Sector will be restricted if you are not insisting on staying there for one night. You only need around 1 hour to see those heading to North of Bwindi - Buhoma or Ruhija sector or from Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth park can see tree climbing lions and you won't have anything else to do besides Mweya or Kasenyi.

What Is The Guarantee That You Will See A Lion Climbing Trees?

·         Nature is hilarious; if you don't see the tree climbing lions, you shouldn't feel bitter. Some days these lions might be difficult to notice.

·         Some tourists even leave before they see. Your Uganda Safari Tour Guide can do all possible to find it and don't react to it if he fails.

·         You might choose a lion tracking adventure in Uganda for a better experience. The safari cost around $50 per person.

Where Can You See Tree Climbing Lions?

In Uganda, you may observe the uncommon tree climbing lions in the Queen Elizabeth National park. Visitors to Ishasha have a time to look at more than 50 lions 'lounging' in the acacia trees that exist in that location throughout the day.

In the beginning, the skin color and the trees of this place are a little bit difficult to notice. You may, however, see them lay laziness on the climb of the tree naps or look out into the forest with the aid of your guide. The 'big cat' hanging from the trees in Ishasha region is a really fantastic Place to Visit in Uganda.

Nobody knows why lions in Queens Ishasha love to climb trees, and for the following reasons some assume.

The views of the woods from higher give an excellent place to see the lions hunting for beasts. Queen Elizabeth National Park's region Ishasha offers a wide range of natural creatures that lions may hunt for, among others, antelopes, Uganda cob, water buck and topi.

Exciting intense heat, temperatures may occasionally reach above 28 degrees at Queen Elizabeth Park, particularly during the rainy season when insects prefer to infest the earth.

Accommodation Facilities Found In Uganda:

The facilities of the Ishasha lodging vary from affordable to luxury lodging, including: Ishasha Jungle Lodge, Enjojo Lodges and Topi Lodges. It is located in the southern portion of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ishasha is a small area of Ishasha tree climbing Lions view lodge.

To any lodge, you book your Uganda Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an adventure worthwhile to see African Perl will thank you with this treetop lion, as you may look at it in your opening doors or windows.

·         Enjojo Lodge:

It situated on the southern boundary of Ishasha Queen Elizabeth National Park. It provides a broad range of activities such as bird watching, tree climbing and other creatures like as baboons, talons, monkeys, antelopes, buffaloes, etc. It is surrounded by verdant foliage, so that after a long day of rest in the park it is an excellent spot to unwind.

·         Ishasha Jungle Lodge:

Ishasha jungle lodge, located in cool Ishasha surroundings, near the south gate, offers a great view of the treetops climbing lions of the region, because of their proximity to the lions. It offers an excellent and clear view of the natural environment and other animals in the region.

·         Ishasha Tree Climbing Lion View:

The Lodge looks quite well at the lions as they lay up in the park on the trees. It provides self-catering, luxury Uganda Accommodation that provide tourists with convenience, free Wi-Fi and, notably in the evenings, free entertainment for residents.

·         Ishasha Wilderness Camp:

Located in the south of the Ntungwe River park, it provides guests excellent quality lodging. The camp offers travelers with various activities such as campfire cooking, animal gazing & also gives the opportunity to see best Uganda Attraction & Uganda Safari Activities.

·         Topi Lodge Ishasha:

It is in the south of the park next to the Ntungwe and gives excellent lodging facilities to the visitors.

The curiosity about the tree climbing lions is not about what they eat, or how their social structures are organised but why they are different from their fellow lions. They share the same social, physical, dietary and repopulation characteristic with all the other lions in the wild.

The suggestions on why they climb up the tree are not really confirmed (as earlier stated). This is for the obvious fact that lions are dangerous and the most you can do in terms of research is monitoring from a very safe distance. Be that as it may, tree-climbing lions are a fascinating sight to see - as they carry their heavy bodies up the tree with easy and practised grace.

Being able to see the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha adds so much to a visitor’s experience of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is common that while you are still in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will go for a game drive to see all the other animals, take a boat ride on Kazinga channel, track some chimpanzees and other primates as well as track the tree-climbing lions.

If you are planning on going on a Uganda Wildlife Safari, make sure to have Ishasha lions as part of your tour program. The experience is great and we highly recommend taking the time to enjoy it in person.

Here are some Uganda Safari programs that include tracking these tree-climbing lions of Ishasha as well as other related activities. These can serve as a good inspiration for you. Just remember that all Safari packages by Saso Uganda Safari can be customised to your liking, schedule and budget for free.

SASO Uganda Safaris is a Tours and Safari company located in Uganda that is established to provide visitors to Uganda and Rwanda an enriched & genuine African holiday experience. We are proud to be inventive and inventive, particularly in the concept, planning and implementation of tailored safaris. Our clients may modify a wide choice of fascinating trips and safaris based on their interest, money, time and other requirements.

We take account of the preferences of our clients to create the very best bespoke tours for them in Uganda and Rwanda and to make value for money in your safari experiences that are quite thrilling, thanks to a devoted staff of designers and expert safaris guides with different know-how of sites to cover.

We appreciate customer support, trustworthiness, security and quality of service. With the affordable Uganda Safari Packages We organize the best Uganda Safari Tours. Our Uganda Safari Tour experts customizes your tour depending on your Tour Packages in Uganda, the preferred time of travel, safari class, number of days and any unique demands that you would want for your comfort and memorable.

Make sure that you design your visit to see the lion climbing on tree with your Uganda Safaris or Uganda Safari Destination with the top Uganda tour company who can personalize your vacation.

Want to see Uganda tree climbing lions? Saso Uganda Safaris welcomes you to ask about our safaris and tours, and are glad to assist you in planning your next African trip at gorillatrips.net

[bizcoachcharles]

Flutterwave: A Runaway Payments Solutions Success Story - Connecting Africa to the Global Economy

Before 2016, African businesses faced hard times to accept payments from visitors, and international tech heavyweights like Amazon, Google, Facebook, etc had difficulties to accept local payments from African customers. This has changed since Flutterwave entered the scene. It was founded in 2016 by a team of ex-bankers, entrepreneurs and engineers in response to this gap in the payments industry in Africa.

As a payment technology company, the main focus of Flutterwave is on helping banks and businesses provide seamless and secure payment experiences for their customers. The headquarters is in San Francisco (to leverage on Silicon Valley ) with offices in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, and Johannesburg.

 Achievements

According to the company’s website, Flutterwave currently has more than 50 bank partners, with over $2.6b payments processed in more than 100m transactions. More than 1200 developers build on Flutterwave. This is remarkable by all standards, especially for an African company.

One of the co-founders, 28-year-old Nigerian entrepreneur, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, who also co-founded Andela, served as the pioneer CEO. He was reported by CNN, as saying that he “wants Silicon Valley to fund a future where Africa is included”, and people and businesses connect with the global economy. As at the time Aboyeji stepped down as CEO last year, and handed over to his co-founder, Olugbenga Agboola, Flutterwave has completed its Series A Extension round of financing, and this has taken its total raised funding from inception to date to more than US$20 million. This shows investors’ confidence in the performance of the company.

In their 2018 review, Flutterwave announced that they saw a 550% growth in the customer base of Flutterwave for Business (Rave), which is now 26,000 strong. This was made possible by partnerships with existing customers, retaining their key partnerships within the financial industry, enterprise customers like Uber, Arik Air, Booking.com and Flywire, and as they welcomed new customers like DusuPay (Uganda), BroadPay (Zambia) and PennySmart (Ghana). The revamped Barter (Flutterwave for Customers) now boasts of over 30,000 customers.

Their terrific run of achievements in 2018 culminated in the Best Payments Company award at the Ghana eCommerce Awards ceremony.

 Payment Solutions

What makes Flutterwave thick? With its payment technology solution, consumers can pay for things in their local currency, while the company takes care of integrating banks and payment-service providers into its platform and this relieves businesses of the expense and burden.

The company’s award-winning payments infrastructure which is accessible via USSD, Mobile, Point of Sale and Web channels enables banks, payments companies, and businesses to do much more. The numbers from the 2018 review by the company attest to the massive adoption of these infrastructures by merchants and customers. There is no sign that the upward growth experienced by the company will abet anytime soon.

The payment solutions are listed below.

●      Rave (Flutterwave for Business) – an easy way to accept any payment method from customers and make payments, around the world online or in-store. With many positive testimonies from notable local businesses in Nigeria and beyond, signing up for rave opens up businesses to more opportunities by letting them accept a range of payment methods (card, bank account, and mobile wallet payments) from customers around the world, in person in physical stores or through app/website or on social media.

 ●      Moneywave – used to make payments to anyone around the world. It is a payment system that allows users to securely charge cards and pays accounts. It is basically an API suite that allows connection of disparate payment sources, an omnichannel platform for payments across Africa.

 ●      Barter (Flutterwave for Consumers) – used to issue and manage virtual and physical cards for retail, loyalty and expense management.

 Partnerships

To accelerate its activities in its area of focus, Flutterwave has gone into various partnerships. The following partnerships are meant to address the listed issues:

1.     Flywire + Flutterwave  – this solution integration aims to streamline payment transactions for Nigerian students, patients, and businesses to facilitate payment of foreign school fees and medical bills in Naira.

 2.     Shopify + Flutterwave – this integration makes selling online easier. It helps African businesses scale globally by integrating Rave into their Shopify store.

 3.     Alipay + Flutterwave - this gives all Flutterwave merchants access to over 1 billion Alipay users, capturing payments activity around the estimated $200 billion in China-Africa trade. Alipay is now an additional option, to card, Barter, Mobile Money and other payment channels on the Rave checkout modal.

 4.     PayAttitude + Flutterwave – this only requires a customer’s phone number for a successful payment to occur, though the customer needs to be PayAttitude customer or get it first to be able to use this payment method.

 5.     Flutterwave + Afropolitan Group – this partnership is aimed at bridging the gap between Africa & the diaspora through entertainment & ticketing.

 Developers

Flutterwave touts herself as the Google of all things Payment, with a leading community of engineers who develop the next standard of payment technology in the industry. They provide everything needed to build reliable and secure payment experiences. They make their libraries, plugins, and SDKs available so others can easily integrate and start collecting payments in minutes.

 Closing Thoughts

Before this research, I knew very little about Flutterwave. In comparison to others in their space, they are heavyweights in their rights. I’m amazed at their dedication to building payments infrastructure to connect Africa to the global economy, and all that they have achieved in just a few short years. They are truly making it easier for Africans to build global businesses that can make and accept payment, anywhere from across Africa to the global economy.  They have converted me and my business into customers for all their products. I am now following the relevant social media handles including that of the past and current CEOs. But more importantly, I am now their unofficial evangelist. You will be sure I will convert many into the Flutterwave way. Who knows, you the reader might just be one of them.

 Image credits: Flutterwave Inc

[amandajoyce118]

Friday Five: Everyone Needs Clean Water

Today is World Water Day. It’s the one day of the year where people who don’t pay attention to the plights of those around the world actually care about the fact that not everyone has clean water.

Case in point: It’s been five years and Flint, Michigan still doesn’t have clean water because the government doesn’t care enough to fix their pipes. If you want to help them out, Mari Copeny is still working with the group Pack Your Back to distribute water locally. You can donate to her ongoing fundraising efforts here.

Like a lot of communities that don’t have safe drinking/bathing water supplies, Flint gets a lot of attention a few days a year, and then people move on. In the spirit of World Water Day, this week’s Friday Five (sorry, I know I missed last week, but I’m trying to spend less time on the computer, and less time aggravating an injured hand) focuses on five more groups raising money for clean water projects all over the world. I wanted to focus on smaller groups, not ones like Charity: Water that already have celebrities endorsing them.

If you don’t have the money to make a donation to a group on World Water Day, volunteer your time, give social media attention to a group that does good water work, etc. Links for each organization are in their headings.

Five: Planet Water

Planet Water currently works in 13 different countries around the world. They’ve now got financial support from companies like Coca-Cola and Starbucks, so they’ll likely continue to grow. They build AquaTowers in communities that have a built in filtration system to eliminate bacteria. In addition to the clean drinking water provided, they also set up hand wash stations at the towers. The tower is actually a more sustainable practice than most because it just requires cleaning and maintenance throughout the year - which they train community members in, as well as provide them with spare parts for potential repairs. In addition to providing that clean water, they also teach about hygienic practices at the schools in the community.

Four: Blood:Water

This organization specifically works with groups promoting clean water in African nations. Rather than go into communities and take over operations, they provide resources to grassroots organizations already doing/wanting to do the work. You can see some of the groups they work with here. In addition to helping communities gain access to clean water, they’re also helping communities eliminate the spread of HIV/AIDS. We see in the news all the time about breakthroughs in medical research, but in African nations, HIV continues to spread because of lack of understanding about prevention. There just aren’t enough education opportunities in poor communities still. This group wants to change that. Of course, the downside here is that because they’re essentially funding other groups, there’s a lot of paperwork and red tape to get through. Only about $0.68 of every dollar makes it to the actually organizations on the ground. The more money they have, the further it can go.

Three: Pure Water For The World

This group works primarily in developing nations. Like a lot of the groups in my list, they don’t simply send outsiders into the field to work. 90% of their field staff is actually from the areas where they work. They train families and classrooms in safe water practices, sanitation, and hygiene. Their fieldworkers are provided with water filtrations systems to install in homes and schools, as well as setting up single family facilities for those who don’t have them. They work with local doctors to treat parasites, and they also follow up regularly in communities where they’ve provided aid.

Two: Generosity.Org

One man with money to spare started this organization because he wanted to help. He started working with getting clean water into underserved communities. Over a decade later, he’s got more help, and they’ve expanded. Now, they don’t just give access to clean water. They also provide medical aid, legal assistance, and disaster relief. They even have a mentorship program for young boys in Haiti called The Field Of Dreams (named for the movie) that helps them engage with young people in the community. (The one downside for me, personally, is that this group is faith-based. I think when an organization bases their assistance on their faith, lines can be blurred, and volunteers tend to focus a lot of energy on converting people instead of helping them, but they also do a lot of good work, so I wanted to include them.)

One: Three Avocados

Founded by one man after taking a trip to Uganda, this isn’t just a charity. Three Avocados is a non profit business providing jobs and a product. They sell coffee (and related products) that is harvested in Uganda. 100% of their net profits go to providing clean water for the region where their fields are. They also offer wholesale deals if restaurants or stores want to sell their coffee. Obviously, they accept donations as well, but this business helps create work and sustainable living for the community they provide water for, and I think that provides a more lasting impact.

Here are a few facts for you:

Every year, about one million deaths around the world are attributed to lack of clean water.

Approximately 700 kids under the age of five die everyday from illnesses related to contaminated water.

More than 150 million people around the world have to collect water themselves without running water in their homes. Of those people, 4 out of 5 households rely on the women (or female children) to do that collecting.

About 4 billion people (that’s about half the planet) experience water scarcity for one month out of the year.

That’s it for this week. I hope you guys enjoy your World Water Day!

[stevennshizirungublog]

Field Study to Explore In                                      Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked country with land borders with four countries  Uganda in the north, Tanzania in the east, Burundi in the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the west. 

Modern Rwanda is among the top site of much foreign research on a variety of topics, from the 1994 genocide against Tutsi field study and its repercussions on the development and its impact. The Rwandan policy on the protection and management of its flora and fauna, national and international educational institutions, and Rwandan cultures bring much attention to international students to discover.  

In this note, I will share with you 5 field studies that researchers, international students, scientists, and cultural anthropologists should visit in Rwanda. 

1. Kigali Genocide Memorial 

Kigali genocide memorial is located in Kigali city. The memorial is the resting place of over 250,000 of a million who perished during the genocide against Tutsi in 1994. On your visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, you will learn more about Rwandan society from the Kingdom, colonialism, to the genocide era. 

                         ( AEGIS, nd) 

2. University of Global Health Equity ( UGHE)

The university of Global Health Equity ( UGHE) is a health sciences university located in northern province of Rwanda in Burera district. The university of Global Health Corps is an initiative of Partners in Health organization which built Cancer Center of Excellence. Health scientists and students can learn more about cancer treatment through field visit at University of Global Health Equity campus. 

                     (UGHE, 2020) 

3. Rwanda Institute for  Conservation of Agriculture (RICA)  

Rwanda Institute for Conservation of Agriculture is unique conservation of agriculture institution. The institution combines research, education that aim to train next generation of leaders in agriculture while. Doing field study at RICA means discovering a lot in agriculture fields study around the campus as well as NASHO irrigation cooperative established by RICA. For more information click here 

                      (RICA, 2021)

4. Nyamirambo Women Center

Nyamirambo Women Center is a social organization located in Nyamirambo sector, Nyarugenge district in Kigali city. The organization was established by 18 Rwandan women. The organization was established with the aim of addressing gender-based violence and gender inequality among Rwandans. The Nyamiramo Women Center also provides vocational training to vulnerable women about women’s accessories, clothing, and home decor products and the organization supports them to get the market to those products. Students and professionals can learn more about rural development and rural women’s income activities by visiting Nyamirambo Women Center. For more information click here 

                         ( Nyamirambo Women’s Center, nd) 

5. Zipline Drones For Medical delivery field study 

Zipline is a company that operate in Rwanda which does medical delivery specifically blood products in rural area in Rwanda using drones. Currently, Zipline has office in Muhanga district in southern province and it is 49 km from Kigali city and it is 1h :20 min. Scientists, students, health professionals can visit its office for field study and learn more about blood and other medical products delivery in rural of Rwanda. 

( Rosenberg, 2016)