Blog

By Jessica Akinyi

They say time waits for no man, well, it’s high time to discover the root cause of the rising issue that is affecting women worldwide. When people hear femicide, they most often assume it is tied to feminism therefore looking at it in terms of battle of equality of the sexes. This should not be the case because femicide is any killing of women or girls. It occurs because violence against women continues to be accepted, tolerated and justified.

The term was first established by Diana E. H. Russell in 1976 during the First International Tribunal of Crimes Against Women held in Brussels. The realization was that femicide is deeply rooted in gender-based discrimination which takes different shapes and forms. Its classification is manifested in three forms; the behavior of the perpetrator, the relationship with victims and context of occurrence of the crime.

Let’s look at the three major types of femicide.

• Femicide by an intimate partner – an intimate partner kills the wife or girlfriend due to prior abusive relationship.
• Femicide by family – this is committed by a family member. One example is “honour” killings whereby if a woman or girl goes against the norms of the family they are killed and also dowry death which is caused by the bride’s family failing to give the grooms family money or other valuables leading to domestic violence.
• Femicide in war and conflict setting – women are targeted during war and are raped as a form of weakening the opponents.

From the past to present, it’s time for each and every voice to be heard. The society should be fed up of the deafening news on femicide cases across the country. We must plant the seeds of fraternity.

By Joe Aura,

aurajoe6@gmail.com

15/04/1912 , 112 years ago, one of the most infamous maritime disasters in
history shook the world: the sinking of the RMS Titanic. With sombre reflection, we
commemorate the lives lost and the lessons learned from this tragic event.
The Titanic, a marvel of its time, was constructed at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast,
Ireland. Its grand hull, launched into the River Lagan on May 31, 1911, symbolized human
ingenuity and ambition. Over 100,000 spectators bore witness to its majestic unveiling, unaware
of the fate that awaited the ship.

The cost of building the Titanic was staggering, amounting to $7,500,000 in 1912. Adjusted for
inflation, this figure would be equivalent to approximately $166,000,000 today. Ironically, this
sum pales in comparison to the budget of the iconic 1997 film adaptation by James Cameron, a
testament to the enduring fascination with the Titanic’s story.

Tragedy struck on April 15, 1912, as the Titanic, during its maiden voyage from Southampton to
New York City, collided with an iceberg in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Within hours,
the unsinkable ship succumbed to the relentless embrace of the ocean, claiming the lives of over
1,500 souls and leaving a haunting legacy of loss.

The Titanic carried a diverse array of individuals, totalling 2,224 passengers on its ill-fated
journey. From wealthy elites in first class to hopeful immigrants in steerage, the ship was a
microcosm of society, united in both luxury and peril. Among the notable passengers were
American socialite Margaret Brown and real estate investor Colonel Archibald Gracie IV, their
stories forever intertwined with the ship’s tragic fate.

In the annals of cinematic history, James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic” stands out as a moving
tribute to the Titanic’s lasting influence. The film, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio,
expertly conveyed the grandeur of the ship, the chaos of its sinking, and the emotional love story
that emerged amidst the tragedy. The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and
Best Director, ensuring that the Titanic’s memories would live on for future generations.

Na shamim Talla

Mwezi wa Ramadhani ni mwezi uliojaa juhudi na fadhila tele na nyingi ambazo lau zitatiliwa maanani, Ummah huu utanyanyuka kutoka daraja moja hadi nyengine. Huu ni mwezi wa Qur-aan, kwa kuwa iliteremshwa kwayo. Hivyo ni juu yetu kuisoma kwa kuzingatia na kufanyia kazi amri zilizotolewa ndani yake. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala) Anasema: “Ramadhaan ni mwezi ambao Qur-aan imeteremshwa ili iwe uongozi kwa watu, na hoja zilizo wazi wa uongozi na upambanuzi (wa baina ya haki na batili)” (2: 185).

Uwiano baina ya masomo na mfungo

Mwezi mtukufu wa Ramadhani unatoa fursa ya pekee kwa wanafunzi kuimarisha uhusiano wao na masomo yao pamoja na imani yao. Kwa kuzingatia mikakati iliyopendekezwa, wanafunzi wanaweza kukabiliana na changamoto za masomo wakati wa Ramadhani kwa neema na uthabiti, huku wakitafuta maarifa si tu kwa mafanikio ya kitaaluma bali pia kwa maendeleo yao ya kibinafsi

Hapa kuna vidokezo vichache vya jinsi ya kufanya hivyo:

1. Panga Ratiba Yako. Anza kwa kuandaa ratiba inayojumuisha masomo, ibada, na mapumziko. Hakikisha unapata muda wa kutosha kwa kila jambo.

2.Fanya Masomo Mapema. Jitahidi kumaliza masomo yako kabla ya kuanza kufunga. Hii itakupa nafasi ya kujitolea kikamilifu katika ibada.

3. Tumia Vizuri Muda wa Iftar na Suhoor. Wakati wa kufungua na kufunga, tumia muda huu kusoma Qur’an na kufanya dua. Pia, hakikisha unakula chakula cha afya ili kuwa na nguvu wakati wa masomo.

4.Tafuta Nafasi za Kufanya Ibada.Shule au chuo chako kinaweza kuwa na sehemu za kufanyia ibada. Tumia nafasi hizi kusoma Qur’an, kufanya sala, na kufanya dhikr.

5. Usisahau Kujipumzisha. Kufunga kunaweza kuwa ngumu, haswa wakati wa masomo. Hakikisha unapata muda wa kupumzika ili kuepuka uchovu.

6. Jitahidi Kuwa na Nia Njema. Kumbuka kuwa kufunga ni ibada, na lengo lako ni kumpendeza Mwenyezi Mungu. Jitahidi kuwa na nia njema katika kila jambo unalofanya.

Kwa kufuata vidokezo hivi, utaweza kuwa na uwiano mzuri kati ya masomo na ibada wakati wa Mwezi wa

Ramadhani.

By Dennis Mungai

Gone are the days where a child would be punished by the neighbor when discovered doing something wrong. The neighbor would punish the child then go and report the matter to the child’s parent, who would then rain more punishment on the child. Statements such as mtoto analelewa na jamii would be heard almost on every occasion. One would not have to be directly related to the child to instill some discipline on them, whether by words of advice or taking drastic action such as the example given above.

Fast forward to 2024. Dare touch someone’s child in the name of “teaching them a lesson.” You would probably find yourself in the court of law charged with physical assault of a child. The child’s parents would probably cut ties with you, in the name of jealousy or envy, otherwise why would you just find their child on the street and start advising or punishing them?  “ulimguza kama nani? ” they might ask.

The situation has been made worse by the increasing rate of single mothers in the country. Many of the women with children today have opted to raise them on their own, or in other situations, the fathers have neglected their duties, leaving the women all on their own. Speaking of which, where are the men? Like generally men are nowhere to be seen in any forums; gatherings, harambees, churches, schools, in their families. They seem to be missing in almost every sector. Topic for another day.

It is not far-fetched to say we need to go back to the days of old, where a child was raised by the community. Even before that however, the basic nuclear family needs to be complete before going into the society. Single motherhood has is becoming normalized in today’s society. Glorified, even. Ladies on social media, especially the socialities or celebrities are posting on a regular basis their milestones in terms of raising their kids by themselves.

They are making it look like a fancy or cool idea, to bear the responsibility of parenthood all alone. It calls for accountability, not only on the absent or “deadbeat” dads but also the mothers as well. This social media presentation is making the younger generations even decide to avoid marriage in its entirety. One may have heard statements such as ” I’m only interested in having a kid but not getting married.” Such ideas stem from what is posted online, the debates and discussions people have on a regular basis.

These same “big names” need to be at the forefront and leading by example in their life choices. Choosing the right partner is the first step. Proper background check needs to be done. Get to actually know this person. Meeting them in a bar and getting pregnant by them after only a month isn’t “knowing” them enough. Promoting healthy relationships and responsible parenting with both parties involved is just the start to our way back to a safe, secure and prosperous nation. As they say, if you want to know the success of a society, look at how it treats its children.

By Joe Aura,

[aurajoe6@gmail.com]

A striking image has surfaced, capturing former President Donald Trump in an unexpected embrace with people of color. The photograph, generated by advanced artificial intelligence (AI), has ignited heated discussions among tech enthusiasts, political analysts, and the public at large.

The image, depicting former President Donald Trump surrounded by a diverse group of supporters, was created by Midjourney, a prominent research organization specializing in artificial intelligence. The lifelike portrayal of Trump embracing people of color has raised concerns about the potential impact of AI-generated content on political narratives and journalistic integrity. The image recently emerged and gained traction on social media platforms, prompting widespread debate and scrutiny.

Discussions surrounding the image have taken place across various online platforms, as well as among journalists, political analysts, and the general public. Critics argue that AI-generated content blurs the lines between fact and fiction, potentially influencing public opinion and political discourse. Some fear that such content could be weaponized to further specific political agendas. The incident underscores the need for robust fact-checking mechanisms and transparency in reporting to verify the authenticity of AI-generated visuals. It also highlights the challenge of distinguishing between real and manufactured images as AI technology continues to evolve.

No evidence has been found to tie fake images, including one created by a Florida radio host, to the Trump campaign, according to a BBC Panorama investigation. The latest AI-generated media showing Trump posing with Black men on a porch has sparked controversy, with captions falsely claiming that Trump stopped his motorcade for the photo-op. While some online commenters recognized the photos as fake, many others were convinced of their authenticity.

Trump supporters have embraced the image as a symbol of unity and inclusivity, citing its potential to foster positive discourse and bridge gaps between communities. However, skeptics question the authenticity of the depicted interaction, raising concerns about the manipulation of digital content for political purposes. As journalists and media outlets grapple with the implications of AI-generated visuals, it is imperative to uphold the truth and employ rigorous fact-checking measures. The incident involving Trump serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in reporting, even in the face of increasingly sophisticated AI technology.

[Photo Courtesy]

Printed materials like books, magazines, newspapers have been around for quite some time. The European Age of printing began in 1439 marking the beginning of an age of printing. The person credited for the invention that drove the printing era was German craftsman and inventor, Johannes Gutenberg. It was shortly after That women also began to emerge in the print industry.

The first female printer was Anna Rügerin. She was a typographer from the city of Augsburg in Germany. In 1484, she printed two books in the in-folio format in her own press

Albeit, Charlotte Guillard is hailed the first woman printer with a widely recognized career. She worked at the famous Soleil d’Or printing house in Paris from 1502 until her death in 1557. From 1537 onwards, after the passing of her second husband, Guillard ran her printing business on her own.

This was unusual at the time, as women were not allowed to own a business. They were, however, allowed to take over the business of their husband after their death. She grew the business significantly over the years. She had five or six printing presses and employed 25 to 30 people. Her companies account for books in more than 400 libraries throughout the world.

It’s also important to mention The women’s printing society – a British publishing house founded in either 1874 or 1876. The company played an important role in supporting the British suffragettes, both through its publication of feminist tracts and by providing employment opportunities for women in a field previously restricted to men.

In Kenya, we have our own women personalities to applaud. Pamella Makotsi – Sitton was the first woman appointed executive editor and managing editor of the Daily Nation at the Nation Media Group. Appointed in 2019, the Daily Nation is the highest circulation independent newspaper in Kenya.

The only way to challenge the gender disparity in media leadership is by creating a pipeline of women journalists with the right skills to take up senior positions. Pamella Makotsi-Sittoni

Women have always been involved in print. Here at Involvement, we bost our own team of brilliant women who are writers and newspaper editors. We hope to encourage more women to consider a career in print.