From Girl Scouts to Forest Heroes

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Two American teenagers are showing how anyone can make a difference if they believe in a cause. Rhiannon Tomtishen and Madison Vorva, both 16, have been honoured by the United Nations as Forest Heroes. The two friends, who are Girl Scouts, have been raising awareness about palm oil production which is linked to rain forest destruction and endangerment of orang-utan populations. Dianne Penn spoke to Rhiannon and Madison to find out why this issue hits so close to home.

girls encouraged to enter ICT sector

Promoting girls' interest in the ICT field

Investing in the social and economic development of women and girls yields big payoffs for them, their families and their communities, according to the United Nations. But women are still shut out of some professions, such as information and communication technologies, or ICTs, which are viewed as "stereotypically male." The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) says girls remain underrepresented in computer science and engineering programmes which could lead to careers in ICTs.

accelerating the end of FGM

African women move to abandon female genital mutilation

Women in 15 African countries are working to abandon the deeply rooted traditional practice of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C).The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates up to three million girls a year undergo the procedure. Senegal looks set to become the first African country to stamp out FGM/C, according to the agency. UNFPA and local groups have engaged young women there—many of whom have been cut—in grass roots campaigns seeking to end the practice within a generation.

Presenter: Dianne Penn
Editor: Daniel Dickinson      Duration: 10'00"