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Wales Online
a day ago
- General
- Wales Online
Outcry as schoolgirls' toilet access restricted after 'bad behaviour'
Outcry as schoolgirls' toilet access restricted after 'bad behaviour' The meeting heard 'bad behaviour' had involved toilets being deliberately blocked with sanitary products "Many" schools in a Welsh county have been restricting when pupils can use toilets due to issues with vandalism and bad behaviour, councillors were told. The matter was discussed at a Caerphilly council cabinet meeting amid a proposal for token-operated vending machines to improve access to period products. The scheme is being considered by members of Caerphilly Youth Forum, which also argues pupils should have better access to school toilets and should be trusted to use them safely and responsibly through the school day as a matter of 'dignity'. The group, which has made the issue its priority for the year, told cabinet members it hopes to meet secondary school head teachers later this year to discuss possible changes to the rules around accessing school toilets. It stressed that a lack of access can be especially distressing for girls who need to use period products because they are often prohibited from taking bags into the toilets. Younger pupils making the step up to secondary school can also struggle to understand why their access to toilets is being restricted when primary schools typically have more relaxed rules, the meeting heard. Youth Forum coordinator Lee Kabza said the group had met with a firm which provides sanitary products in schools to discuss the issue of 'period dignity'. Article continues below The meeting heard some schools elsewhere use a token system which allows pupils to obtain a single period product from a machine. Mr Kabza suggested such a system could tackle issues around bad behaviour where toilets are deliberately blocked with sanitary products. The council's deputy leader Jamie Pritchard noted improved school toilet access had been backed by around 800 young people as the Youth Forum's priority issue. Article continues below He said there was 'a groundswell of opinion behind it', adding he hoped schools would take note of the forum's work. The cabinet members voted unanimously to 'consider how to support the Youth Forum in addressing their priority issue' for the year ahead.
Middle East Eye
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israel's conflict with Iran, Gaza quickly reaching 'point of no return', says Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that the ongoing Israeli conflict with Iran and the war on Gaza are 'quickly reaching the point of no return'. 'This madness must end as soon as possible,' said Erdogan, during a speech to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's Youth Forum. He warned that the repercussions of both conflicts will leave its traces in the Middle East, Europe and Asia 'for many years'. 'Israel complained about damage to its hospitals today, yet it has so far carried out over 700 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza alone,' he said, reiterating his call for a ceasefire.
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Upholding The Rights And Well-Being of Children In South Africa
By Dadjie Saintus Reflections from a recent visit to South Africa, where UNICEF works to safeguard the lives and futures of children. Young children play outside at Risiha Program Safe Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. © UNICEF South Africa February 2025 I recently traveled with UNICEF USA partners on a program visit to South Africa. With 45 percent of the population under age 24, South Africa is a land of rich diversity, dynamic growth and complex challenges. While classified as upper-middle-income, the country grapples with deep-seated inequality rooted in its apartheid history. Today, 6 in 10 children are trapped in long-term poverty, a rate that is much higher in rural parts of the country (88 percent) compared to urban areas (44 percent). Within this context, we saw firsthand how UNICEF delivers on its promise to uphold the rights and well-being of children through critical areas including child protection, maternal and child health and safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. We explored UNICEF-supported Safe Parks, which serve as child-friendly spaces where young people living in high-risk communities can access nutritious meals, mental health and psychosocial support, life skills training and other services. An adolescent at Risiha Program Safe Park tutors a student after school. © UNICEF South Africa February 2025 At the Risiha program in Johannesburg, we went on a tour led by adolescents who had established the Youth Forum. They knew the facilities well, having visited the park regularly since they were little. Now, these adolescents serve as mentors to the younger kids coming to the park. In our conversations, the Youth Forum leaders shared aspirations as varied as their personalities — becoming a software engineer, a musician, a doctor, a teacher. Although they faced many obstacles, including poverty and violence in their neighborhoods, the Risiha program-supported Safe Park provided a haven where they could dream of what's possible. UNICEF also protects children at risk by investing in parenting programs through community-based organizations like Mfesane and Beautiful Gate in Cape Town. In meetings at both organizations, we met social workers who aimed to strengthen the capacities of caregivers to create nurturing homes. The social workers explained how they take a case management approach — caregivers are equipped with positive parenting skills while families participate in group and individual counseling sessions. I joined one of the adolescent groups where some of the youth affirmed that since participating in the sessions, they have been communicating better with their parents at home. At Mfesane, UNICEF USA visitors join a meeting with local leaders before playing with youth at a Safe Park. © UNICEF South Africa February 2025 For the social workers working with families through trauma, joblessness, health problems or other crises, burnout was a real concern. But, as they find ways to deal with the demands of their work, one social worker shared that seeing progress in the way parents and children relate to each other keeps her going. Across the country, UNICEF works with the government and community partners to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and set children up for a better start in life. In Johannesburg, I saw this work in action at the Maria Rantho Clinic, which seeks to improve maternal and child health and nutrition as well as reduce HIV transmission. Supported by UNICEF for many years, the clinic became so effective that it was transitioned to and is now funded by the national government. Health workers and administrators from the Maria Rantho Clinic in Johannesburg welcome visitors from UNICEF USA. © UNICEF South Africa February 2025 Its work is all the more critical given that South Africa has one of the highest HIV burdens in the world. Yet, in our meetings, the health workers revealed how they have kept mother-to-child HIV transmission rates consistently at 0 percent. Alongside the medical care provided, one factor contributing to these results is a peer mentor program that trains young mothers aged 15-25 who have received care at the clinic. As peer mentors, these mothers provide health education and psychosocial support services, including sexual and reproductive health, to empower other pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers. These relationships are a lifeline. One mother told us that when she had experienced depression during her pregnancy, her peer mentor connected her to the services and provided the emotional support she needed to deliver her baby safely. She continues to attend sessions today with her peer mentor, bringing along her son, who remains healthy at age 2. In rural areas like the flood-prone provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, communities lack access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH). In these regions, UNICEF crosses the last mile to develop WASH infrastructure and climate-adaptive solutions. At a junior school, UNICEF introduces interventions to enhance WASH infrastructure and build climate resilience. © UNICEF South Africa February 2025 In Mthatha and East London, we toured two junior schools where UNICEF is working with partners to deliver safe water and sanitation while introducing innovations like low-pressure toilets to conserve water and promote sustainability. In talking with school officials on our visit, Irfan Akhtar, UNICEF South Africa's Deputy Representative and Chief of Programs, proposed creating a locally-led water management committee. Based on a model that worked well in similar contexts, UNICEF staff would train committee members to operate the water system so they could maintain it over the long term. Support from donors and partners is what makes UNICEF's impact in South Africa and around the world possible. It is what allows UNICEF to scale what works and reach millions of children and adolescents with essential services. Threaded across the programs we experienced were interactions with collaborating organizations, community leaders and ministry officials. In these meetings, Irfan Akthar listened as local leaders discussed barriers and best practices to serving families and children, chiming in to offer effective interventions he has observed or relevant UNICEF data. He also identified opportunities to incorporate their feedback in UNICEF's conversations with governments and multilateral institutions at global forums. In this way, UNICEF advocates for governments to adopt a child-centric approach in their policies, plans and budgets. This strategy has resulted in many achievements across South Africa, including: These are just some examples of how, through multi-sector partnerships and strategic advocacy, UNICEF is helping to make children a priority at all levels of government, thus ensuring that governments invest in more and better services that benefit them. Whether in the townships of the inner cities, settlements near the coast or in rural villages, with the help of valued donors and partners, UNICEF won't stop working on the front lines to safeguard the lives and futures of children in South Africa and around the world. Learn more about UNICEF programs for children in South Africa Help UNICEF reach more children in need. Please donate today. Dadjie Saintus is a Senior Director of Philanthropy for UNICEF USA
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Harmful alien plant species removed by SANParks Honorary Rangers
The biodiversity of the Kruger National Park (KNP) faces a serious threat from invasive alien plant species that are not indigenous to the region and have been introduced either intentionally or accidentally. These plants, also referred to as exotic, non-native, or foreign species, include well-known invaders such as lantana (Lantana camara), paraffin weed (Chromolaena odorata), queen of the night cactus (Cereus jamacaru), prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), famine weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), pompom weed (Campuloclinium macrocephalum), Mauritius thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala) and slender potato creeper (Solanum seaforthianum.) ALSO READ: Youth Forum plants indigenous trees in White River To combat this, the SANParks Honorary Rangers (SHR) in the Lowveld region co-ordinate regular hack duties that are volunteer-driven operations focused on removing these plants from affected areas in the park. The hack operations are physically demanding and form a continuous part of conservation efforts. Amelda Obermeyer, the SHR hack co-ordinator in the Lowveld region, says: 'We employ several methods for invasive plant removal, including mechanical control, which involves physically cutting or uprooting the plants, often followed by the application of approved herbicides to prevent regrowth. With biological control, natural enemies such as the cochineal insect (Dactylopius opuntiae), which targets specific plant species like the prickly pear and queen of the night, are used.' In May 2025, the team had a successful hack at Nkambeni Safari Camp and Mdluli Safari Lodge. A total of 14 dedicated volunteers from six different SHR regions took part. During this effort, over 2 000 lantana plants and 600 paraffin weed plants were eradicated. Events like the upcoming open-air performance by the renowned Ndlovu Youth Choir, under the stars in the Kruger National Park, are essential for fundraising. ALSO READ: Experience the magic of Ndlovu Youth Choir under the stars at Kruger Concert for Conservation The event on June 13 promises to be an unforgettable evening. There are limited exclusive overnight glamping packages available at Nkambeni Safari Camp. The cost is R2 550 per person sharing and R2 950 per single person, which includes bed and breakfast, concert tickets with a harvest table and a glass of wine, a return shuttle with a game drive experience and conservation fees. Bookings can be made with Linda Pieters at lowveldfundraising@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Prince William opens up about youngest son Prince Louis' difficult decision
Prince William visited a youth centre in Edinburgh during a royal engagement, where he revealed his son Prince Louis's difficult decision Prince William brought laughter during his recent royal visit. The Prince of Wales took a trip to Scotland to visit the Leith Community Centre, in Edinburgh, where he shared heartfelt details about his youngest son, Prince Louis, and spoke about a challenging decision his son will have to face someday. While visiting the non-profit organisation Street Soccer Scotland on Wednesday, Prince William warmly engaged with locals - taking time to chat and connect with them. One amusing moment in particular was when he was shown a hilarious picture of one of the women at the centre dressed up as the Hanlon Stevenson mascot, Percy, for a fundraising event. The image left William in fits of laughter, before he went on to play football with the locals and even scored a goal. After the cheers, he joked: "That's it, I'm done now." He also watched flamenco dancing and unveiled a new Royal Foundation Community Impact project. William met Erin, nine and Shaniah, ten, who held a Youth Forum at Edinburgh City Council Chambers to discuss their concerns about the block of flats where they lived. The Prince praised the young girls for their public speaking, saying: "Wow, it's not easy standing up and speaking. It takes a lot of courage, well done." Erin then gifted the prince of Wales an Aston Villa Football Club poster which sparked up the discussion of his youngest son Louis. William asked Erin what team she supports, and she replied that she supports two teams, and William revealed that Prince Louis was torn between his favourite football teams at the moment. He explained: "My youngest at the moment says he supports five different football teams." At just seven years old, Louis has plenty of time to decide his favourite team, even if his current indecision contrasts with his fathers. Prince William is a well-known Aston Villa supporter and his eldest son Prince George is also a fan of the team often joining his dad at matches. Prince William previously spoke to the BBC in 2015, about his love for Aston Villa. He said: "A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn't want to follow the run-of-the-mill teams. I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments." The royal visited the community centre as part of the Royal Foundation's Community Impact Programme, which aims to "provide lasting impact and legacy in the communities Their Royal Highnesses visits." During the visit he met with Street Soccer Scotland founder and CEO David Duke, who is also a strong supporter of William's Homewards work. The partnership will support Street Soccer Scotland to assist individuals facing challenges such as mental health issues, addiction and homelessness.
