KENYA: Debates Over Reproductive Rights
KENYA’S Parliament is
‘currently debating the draft of the constitution, including whether to leave the abortion-related provision, which is to be decided upon by the end of this year when Kenyans vote to accept or reject.’
Kenyan Newspaper, the ‘Daily Nation’ reports:
Gender minister…Esther Murugi proposed the deletion of the clauses on life beginning at conception and on termination of life. The minister wants the article on right to life to only read that “Every person has the right to life”.
Nyaribari Chache MP Robert Monda has proposed the clause be amended by deleting the words “or permitted by any other law”. Religious groups and pro-life activists have argued that the part could allow Parliament to legalise abortion.
Public Health minister Beth Mugo proposed that the word “abortion” be replaced with “termination of pregnancy”. Her Medical Services counterpart Anyang’ Nyong’o proposed that the constitution should not secure the right of Kenyans to reproductive health.
Some believe the language change would make the imposition of a complete ban close to impossible in the future. As is the case in the US, it’s not the first time abortion rights have been debated in Kenya. And we’re sure it won’t be the last.
Read here and here for more on this current debate
Share on Facebook Read MoreAfro Latinos urged to “¡Chequea las dos!” in the US Census
It’s Census time in the United States, and it’s been said (often) that a community could lose over $1 million of federal funding for housing, health and education for every 100 people NOT counted.
So, what should you do if you don’t have a ‘box’ as is the case for Afro Latinos? “¡Chequea las dos!” (Check Both!), says the group not for profit group, Afrolatin@ Forum.
Studies show that Afro Latinos, who have been undercounted in previous drives, are ‘more likely to live below the poverty level than other Latinos.’
Here is one PSA produced by the group.
Do you think checking two boxes is the best solution? How best can a Census respond to the needs of an increasingly diverse nation?
Share on Facebook Read MoreLISTEN: Can You Be Black and Latino?/Liberia’s Post Civil War Environment
Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speaks to Janet Johnson Bryant, founding member of the group Liberian Mass Action for Peace and Director of the film, ‘Pray the Devil Back To Hell’, Gini Reticker about the impact of the civil war on Liberia’s agriculture. The interview was originally aired on the show, Sojourner Truth, with host Margaret Prescod.
The lively HfH One on One interview features Afro Colombian music producer, now living in Los Angeles (via nine other cities!), Yaro Celis aka Yaro360. Celis talks to Christabel about how Afro Latinos are usually perceived by Americans, reveals the social justice roots of his favorite Salsa track, his eclectic music influences and the ways his culture resonates in his work.
ON THE NEXT EDITION OF HOME, FROM HOME (THE APRIL 5): What IS a Black Intellectual? Who’s taking note? Christabel Nsiah-Buadi speaks to two experts on the topic, Professors Jeffrey Tucker and Grant Farred.
FEATURED SONG EXCERPTS:
Crossover (Commercialism), by Wunmi (‘A.L.A/documented gb), 2007
‘Mangual‘ by Yaro360
‘Paranoid’, by Black Sabbath (Reunion/Epic) 2008
‘La Rebelion (No ye Pegue a La Negra)’, by Joe Arroyo
‘El Pescador’, by Yaro360
Eddie Frimpong: appeal denied
This is one story we’re following. On March 18, Eddie Frimpong’s appeal was denied. Frimpong was a Ghanaian student at the University of Santa Barbara. He has been accused of raping a fellow student (in 2007). He has been sentenced to six years in prison.
He maintains his innocence, citing among other things — according to the Santa Barbara Independent:
the victim’s intoxicated state as well as DNA evidence. Her DNA was found in his groin area, but none of his DNA was found on her. Frimpong could appeal to the California Supreme Court.
For background on the case, read this ESPN article. Here are is an excerpt:
When the test results came back in March, Frimpong’s DNA hadn’t been found on Jane Doe’s clothing or body, but Doe’s DNA had been found on Frimpong: in two nucleated epithelial cells, found on his scrotum and penis, and in an unspecified trace under his fingernail. (Epithelial cells are found inside the body and in body fluids like mucus, saliva and sweat. These tested negative as vaginal cells, but such tests can be inconclusive. When the case went to trial that November, the defense argued that the findings were consistent with Frimpong’s claim that Doe had grabbed his genitals.) Also, semen found on Doe’s underwear didn’t match Frimpong’s — but it was a match for that of Benjamin Randall, Doe’s sexual partner throughout her freshman year. Randall told authorities that he and Doe had engaged in intercourse seven days before the rape; Doe said they’d had sex four days prior but that she thought she was wearing different underwear, and she told a nurse that they’d used a condom. (During the trial, Doe and Randall confirmed they’d been together at parties the night she met Frimpong. Randall testified that, while en route to a friend’s house, he spotted Doe and Frimpong walking on Del Playa at about 11:40 p.m. Randall then called Doe, and she told him she was headed to “Eric’s house to play beer pong.” Under cross-examination by Sanger, Randall admitted, “I might’ve been a little upset. I guess you can call that jealousy.” He also testified that after the call, he returned to his dorm at Santa Barbara City College, where he spent the night alone.)
Despite having DNA evidence matched to him, Randall was never a suspect. Neither was the man who retrieved Doe’s purse, which she said she’d lost either on the beach or at Frimpong’s home. It was delivered to the sheriff’s department the next day, minus $30, by someone described in the police report as a “can recycler.” But because of a “language barrier,” he wasn’t questioned.
Is there a story you want us to cover? Email us at hfh@hfhshow.com
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