Student Assignments

As part of the application process, students are given an initial assignment, which is featured along with their profiles on acceptance onto the Safe World Student Writer Project.

Following the initial assignment, students may be given individual topics to cover, relating to their area of knowledge and interest. This is sometimes in the form of an interview.

During the course of the overall project, groups of students are also asked to carry out studies on specific issues. This usually involves speaking with people involved in the respective field, as well as carrying out online research.

Treading a Fine Line to Change Afghanistan for Women - Interview with Anita Haidary

Anita Haidary is co-founder of Young Women for Change (YWC) - Safe World Field Partner in Afghanistan. 

YWC is committed to coming up with peaceful and lasting solutions to the problems faced by Afghan women, which have been compounded by extreme poverty as a result of three decades of war and the government’s incompetence to protect women through meaningful legislation and the reversal of harmful cultural practices.

Maria Stambler asked Anita how recent events in Afghanistan have affected the organisation’s work and what new tools the organization hopes to use to make its work reach more people in the future.

Booming Exploitation of 'Fair & White' Ideology

In 2012, global healthcare company Sanofi launched “Asia’s number one feminine wash brand”, Lactacyd White Intimate, in the Philippines.

Although illegal in the UK, skin whitening and bleaching creams, soaps and even medicine can be purchased very easily in beauty shops and online.

In an in-depth report, Lola Johnson explores attitudes to skin whitening products and possible reasons why such a market exists.

Anti-Slavery Australia - Meeting the Team

Anti-Slavery Australia is Australia’s only specialist law and research policy centre that works towards abolishing slavery, human trafficking and exploitation, providing access to a pro-bono law service for victims of human trafficking, slavery, forced marriage and severe exploitation, for people trafficked both into and out of Australia.

Olivia Chan met with some of the members of the team at the University of Technology, Sydney, where the organisation is based, to learn more about their work.

Grassroots Help for Women and Children Fleeing Burma - Interview with Mitos Urgel of WEAVE

Grassroots NGO, WEAVE, was founded in 1990 to address the influx of Burmese coming into Thailand 2 years after the student uprising in Burma.

More than twenty years later, WEAVE is still operating in refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border, providing women and children with vital services such as education and income support.

Olivia Whenman asked Executive Director, Mitos Urgel, about WEAVE's work to empower the women and children refugees, and the challenges they face.

'Never Again' - A United Call from Dublin

"A surreal and eerie silence filled the cold, damp air around Kildare Street in Dublin, as the crowd listened attentively and emotionally to the voice of Justine Murphy: “Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin, Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin, Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom, Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan”.

Savita was not given the option of a medical abortion, although she pleaded with professionals, but the people on Kildare Street were determined not only to grieve for Savita but to fight for the women of the future..."

Eimear Clabby blogs about a passionate protest in Dublin, Ireland, against the denial of abortion rights which led to the death of Savita Halappanava.

The Vulnerability of Indigenous Tribes: Traditional Custodians of the Land - Interview with Survival International

The ILO (International Labour Organisation) convention 169 is the only piece of international legislation that protects the rights of indigenous people, involves them in consultations over various development projects, and respects their right to land and self-determination. 

UK Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, has refused to ratify it, claiming it is irrelevant to the UK.

Courtenay Forbes interviewed Chloe Corbin, Press Officer of Survival International - a UK-based charity which raises awareness of the status and problems faced by indigenous tribes, and campaigns to bring such issues to the forefront of international politics.

Sex Trafficking - How Safe Are Our Children? Interview with Diana Scimone

Born 2 Fly was founded after Diana experienced a day in Mumbai which changed her life forever.

Born 2 Fly is a project aimed at raising awareness about trafficking across the globe, and especially the tactics and lies that traffickers use. With their 6-session community awareness campaign being rolled out across the world, they hope to reach children before the traffickers do.

Charlotte de Val asked Diana Scimone about her life and work. "I knew I couldn't rescue kids, counsel them, build a safe house, or arrest traffickers -- but I was a writer..."

Women's Brains. No Place in the UK Media?

A recent study showed national newspapers tend to seek expert opinions from men...

History presenter Mary Beard was described in a national paper as too ugly for TV, calling her grey hair “a disaster”, criticising her teeth, and describing her clothes as “an embarrassment”.

Claire Shaw writes about women's under-representation in UK national newspapers and mainstream broadcast media - and the implications.

Drawing the Line - Child Abuse, Grooming, and Age of Consent

Savile’s crimes have revealed a distressing undercurrent of abuse within the world of popular culture and celebrity.

Song lyrics from the period highlight extremely effectively the complete lack of understanding from show business personalities for the vulnerability of girls below the age of consent.

Peter Hilton reports on child abuse, grooming and underage sex.

Irish Grandmother Takes on Oil Giant, Shell

In the quiet and tranquil countryside of Mayo, in the far west of Ireland lies one of the most controversial gas projects.

“We were always ignored, politically, and every other way until we were discovered by Shell.... “We were considered bog-trotters.,” says Irish grandmother, Maura Harrington.

Eimear Clabby talked with Maura at a Friends of the Earth Ireland event in Dublin.

Day of the Girl - A Wake-up Call

"Our country... became united without any division under the banner of good will for Malala's recovery and condemning the terrorists who did it.

This unity to me is unprecedented; and just brought by a little girl, loved and respected by all…a divided country united, reason: a small girl",  said Jibran Khan, who had been at the hospital.

Courtenay Forbes writes about the first International Day of the Girl, which was preceded by the horrific attack on Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan, for speaking out about girls' rights.

Rape 'Justification' in South Africa

In a study, men were asked why rapes take place:

"She is your wife, but she only wants to sleep with you once a week... you will end up raping your own child. These women really get us into trouble..."

Dominique Roberts reports on attitudes to rape of women and children in South Africa.

Uganda - Supporting Older Carers & Those Who Rely on Them

January 23, 2010, was a very significant day for Abdu-Karim Kasozi. A day when a dream started to be realised.

On that day, Bakadde Foundation Network (BAFNET) was formed; an organisation which would address the challenges faced by older people and orphans in central Uganda.

Rukiya Tatu Makuma interviewed Kasozi Abdu-Karim about the particular challenges faced by older people in the rural areas of Uganda, who are often carers for Uganda's many vulnerable children and orphans.

Angola's Women and Children - Recovering from Civil War

Angola has witnessed decades of intense civil war, which has claimed approximately 1.5 million lives, as well as leaving many people displaced.

Millions of landmines are still littered over farmlands, roads and even in residential areas. the psychological and physical impact that these injuries have had on the victims, their families, as well as the people of Angola are unimaginable.

In addition, landmines have left previously fertile soil unusable due to the danger, as well as causing infertility to the land. Poverty is rife.

Dominique Roberts travelled from her home in South Africa to Menongue and spoke with the people there.

Sara Kruzan & the US Juvenile Justice System

Sara Kruzan was imprisoned for life without parole at the age of 16, after being coerced into fatally shooting her pimp George G Howard.

In 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger commuted her sentence to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole. The United States is the only country in the world that hands down life sentences to minors. Sara is still in jail.

Claire Poyser interviewed Kim Deanne, founder of the Free Sara Kruzan campaign, and former cellmate of Sara.

Tackling Pollution, Poverty and Patriarchy in the Niger Delta

Located in the south of Nigeria, in the oil-rich region of Niger Delta, Delta State is globally known for its conflict, corruption and crude oil. It is a state simmering with oppressed hatred: a prerequisite of war.

The oil spill in Nigeria has become a background that catalyses violence against women.

Lola Johnson interviewed Elsie Ijorogu-Reed of Delta Women about the problems faced by women in Niger Delta.

Pussy Riot Lawyer speaks out - Part 1

I see the internet as THE alternative to the government's media, which imposes censorship, and uses it for propaganda purposes.

Pussy Riot’s freedom is everyone’s freedom now. Our parents’, children’s, relatives’, everyone’s freedom.

Maria Stambler met with Victoria Volkova, lawyer for Pussy Riot, in an exclusive interview.

Pussy Riot Lawyer speaks out - Part 2

Citizens need to be protected so we are going to keep working, and keep fighting for their rights. So we do what we need to do, and then the rest does not depend on us. As they say, you can’t walk away from destiny.

The government sees a big risk coming from lawyers that gain high publicity from cases like the Pussy Riot one because we make society condemn its actions.

Maria Stambler met with Victoria Volkova, lawyer for Pussy Riot, in an exclusive interview.

Firsts for Muslim Women, London Olympics 2012

The 2012 Olympics is perhaps the most notable advancement, as it is the first games where every country has had female representatives competing.

In 1996, 26 countries competing in the Olympic Games in Atlanta did not include female competitors. However, in 2012, over 40 percent over competitors are female.

Claire Poyser reports on the participation of women at the Olympic Games.

Sex Trafficking, Men's Magazines and the Ad Agency

Sex trafficking is an extremely profitable business.  Victims cost virtually nothing and can be sold on, repeatedly. If something happens to them, they can be easily replaced.

Non-profits and profit-seeking businesses alike are raising their voices about the horrors of sex trafficking

Casey Dillon reports on sex trafficking and the media.

South Africa: The Legacy of Apartheid Lives On

The legacy of apartheid still lives on evidenced in the lack of addressing the social architecture created in apartheid –  something which sees black women still the most disempowered group of people in the nation, even today

Many people from outside of South Africa  who have observed the inequality wonder why people still choose to live here.

Dominique Roberts interviewed Koketso Moeti about her work in South Africa

Tackling Patriarchal Attitudes in Nepal

Sandwiched between India and China, landlocked Nepal is home to more than 30 million people. Emerging from a decade-long civil war, which ran from 1996 to 2006, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world.

There are not many ways for women to earn a living, they are perpetually trapped and dependent upon men.

Emily Wassell interviewed Dhruba Prasad Ghimre of RUWON Nepal about the challenges women face in Nepal.

Bosnia's Women - The Long Road to Recovery

All the women of former Yugoslavia, are all fighters and survivors, and the women of Bosnia have found a way to turn their hardship into friendship.

The lingering problems prevailing post-war Bosnia is that unity will not be achieved for another couple of decades, due to its indecisive political condition.

Ena Keco reports on the situation faced by women in post-war Bosnia.

Seeking Safety in Australia: Detention Centres, Abuse and Exploitation

This means that asylum seekers on their way to Australia by boat or by plane will be taken to Indonesia for processing. Here they are placed into detention centres. Several detention centres have been described as “cramped” and “unlivable”.

Potential refugees would stay in these detention centres for weeks, months, and even years at a time, and even then, it would be impossible to tell if they would ever arrive in Australia.

Olivia Chan reports on the situation faced by people trying to seek asylum and refugee in Australia.

USA: Anti-Violence Act Halted, Native American Provision Up in the Air

It is partly this endemic violence among Native American women that has prompted the Senate to pass its revised authorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

According to a survey, 34 percent of American Indian or Alaska Native women endured either a rape, or an attempted rape during their lives. This proportion dwarfs the rape ratios of other races.

Allison Griner reports on Indigenous women's rights in the United States of America.

New Life for Women and Children of Tamil Nadu, India

"Real empowerment for a woman is not only her economic development, but her development in all spheres. She needs to be developed socially, within her family and individually, as well as economically."

Tamil Nadu, despite having a relatively better reputation for women’s rights compared to many states in India, has been ranked as the second most corrupt state of India by Transparency International.

Charlotte De Val interviewed Beatrice Vanaja, Chief Administrative Officer of New Life about her work with women and children in Tamil Nadu.

Bulgarian Roma Women Express Their Concerns and Hopes

While formally every step is taken to ensure equality, many Roma people still live in ethnically defined communities, largely separated from the majority.

It is no secret that Bulgaria, being a small country where the prevailing attitude is still one of traditionalism, has had its share of problems with the integration of minorities.

Victoria Pavlova spoke with Roma Women, and reports on the situation they face in Bulgaria.

Farida Afridi: Paying the Ultimate Price for the Women of Pakistan

On the 4th of July 2012, Farida Afridi was travelling from her home near Peshawar to the NGO headquarters where she worked, in Khyber Agency, Pakistan.

Farida was under no illusion that a simple daily journey to work could cost her life. Tragically, on that fateful day, this risk became a reality.

Living in a FATA province, people are unprotected by the Pakistani constitution, and the strict traditions of the tribal society greatly limits opportunities for women and they have less protection.

Courtenay Forbes reports on the situation for women's rights defenders in the tribal regions of Pakistan.

'Black Gold' and Corruption in Nigeria - Women's Health Pays the Price

With 80% of its revenue coming from ‘Black Gold’ (Oil), one would expect Nigeria to be a metropolis of health and wealth.

In 2011, Adepeju Mabadeje, Nigerian Lawyer and advocate for Women’s Health Rights, lost a friend to childbirth due to “delay in getting skilled help”. This drove her to start her own organization fighting maternal mortality in Nigeria.

Lola Johnson interviewed Adepeju Mabadeje, Lawyer and Founder of Brown Button Foundation about  oil, corruption and women's health in Nigeria.

Ruhama: Highlighting Sex Trafficking and Prostitution in Ireland

Ireland has witnessed an increase in human trafficking in more recent years, with cases of sex trafficking and prostitution occurring regularly worldwide.

Patterns in sex trafficking and prostitution have become apparent, and those with disadvantaged social backgrounds are currently at the top of the list.

Eimear Clabby spoke to Sarah Benson, CEO of Ruhama about sex trafficking and prostitution in Ireland.

A Woman of Inspiration: Healing and Hope for Rural Rwanda

Marie created the Centre Ubuntu in 2009, an NGO based in a mountainous region called Bwira in Western Rwanda. Born in Bwira, she spent the first twelve years of her life there. Today, Centre Ubuntu is based in the house of her parents, the home of her childhood.

Violence can be an issue due to the trauma some teenagers have experienced during the war. They are without help and are left feeling angry and confused, but no one talks about this issue, and no one has attempted to reach-out to them.

Alice Caubriere interviewed Marie Goretti Mukakalisa Marsillac, Founder and Director of Centre Ubunto about the work she does in Bwira, Rwanda with women and children in the mountainous region.

Mexico: A Machista Culture of Corruption and Violence?

According to UN Women, 1,858 women were killed across Mexico in 2009, which was up by 500% from 2007. However, the levels of violence against women are unknown as the government of Felipe Calderón collected no official statistics

In Mexican culture, women are usually targeted and blamed for the violence committed against them. The local authorities have been known to denounce rape victims as ‘prostitutes’.

Emily Wassell reports on the cutlure of violence in Mexico.

UK Arms Trade is Booming, Amid Austerity Cuts

On the 2nd of July 2012, the United Nations convened in New York for a summit to discuss the ever more pressing need for an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

For the UK, the arms trade makes up a major part of its economy, with the income from military exports to the Middle East alone, generating £395 million in 2010.

Peter Hilton reports on the impact of the Arms Trade Treaty on women and children in the UK.

Sri Lanka: Thousands of Widows Still Traumatised and Vulnerable

The most recent civil war in Sri Lanka left the pearl of the Indian Ocean a blood bath. There are an estimated 110,000 persons still in camps, and several thousand unable to return, because their home areas have not been “demined”.

Amid the crowded camps, the lives of women and girls have been greatly violated during their time within these camps. Women have been harassed, raped and abused.

Heather Anthony reports on the ongoing impact on women and children survivors.

Small Arms - Big Profits. Big Problems for Women

"As civilians increasingly find themselves enmeshed in armed conflict, small arms threaten not only soldiers and militants, but women and children as well...

Both during and after armed conflicts, the sexual exploitation and domestic violence that can be perpetuated under the menace of small arms affect women and children the most."

Allison Griner reports on women, small arms and the international weapons trade.

Lambeth Women Protest, to Save Vital Resource Centre

Lambeth Women's Project, in London, has played a vital role in providing information, resources and support to women and girls for almost four decades.

However, recent cuts and austerity measures have culminated in an eviction notice from the school building which they use as their resource centre and meeting place.

"Like many organisations run by and predominantly for women, we found ourselves in an unsustainable position that is becoming worse as more and more cuts bite."

Claire Shaw spoke with Nazmia Jamai, a teacher and film programmer, who has been volunteering for LWP since 2007.

Arming Women with a Tough Arms Trade Treaty

From July 2nd through to the 27th, Member States will meet in New York to discuss an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) proposed by the United Nations - a “legally binding instrument on the highest possible common international standards for the transfer of conventional arms.”

Such an agreement would be unprecedented in the arms trade – a fact so astonishing, that Amnesty and Oxfam International have resorted to satire, and adopted the humble yellow banana as a symbol of lopsided global trade restrictions.

Allison Griner reports on the global weapons industry, armed conflict and its impact on women.

The Forgotten Plight of Pakistan's Women: The Aftermath of the Floods

When an unprecedented amount of rain fell in Pakistan in 2010, and caused devastating floods, the disaster was headline news.

Another devastating flood followed in 2011. For many, the aftermath of the floods have become the grim reality of everyday life: struggling to make it through the day without food, clean water, or warm shelter.  As is common in such situations, women suffered, and continue to suffer, the most. 

Courtenay Forbes interviewed Khadim Dahot, Managing Director of SDTS, about his grassroots work in Sindh Province, to gain an insight into the impact of the floods on Pakistani women.

Stolen Children: Investigating Forced Removal of Babies & Infants

In Spain, the abduction of thousands of babies and infants which persisted long after the end of Franco’s rein.

There are well documented cases of abductions in Argentina, Australia, North America and many other countries.

Peter Hilton interviewed investigative journalist, Lisa Sloman Moll, who is researching and writing a book on the subject.

Uganda: Women and Children Vulnerable to Effects of Climate Change

A recent flood in a rural warrior region of Karamoja, Uganda, saw many women and children tragically drown while trying to cross a river in search of food.

A few months later, a wildfire swept through Karamoja destroying over 50 homes, leaving families homeless, malnourished and consequently vulnerable to sickness.

Claire Shaw reports on gender-related effects of climate change in rural Uganda.

USA: Women Well-Poised to Act on Climate Change

The USA is the second biggest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions.

In the United States, farming and related activities directly produce 6-8% of the country’s emissions. Since 2002, the number of women-led farms has jumped by 30%. This means women will hold increasing sway in how the agriculture industry affects and is affected by climate change.

Allison Griner explores the role of American women: 'American women have increasing power to impact such a movement—an important power, since they might be especially affected.'

Rio+20: A Sustainable, Equal, and Just Future for Women?

Between 20-22 June 2012, over 50,000 people from across the globe are expected to descend on the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the Rio+20 UN summit.

What are the implications for the developing world, for women and for the world?

Peter Hilton provides an overview of the Rio+20 summit, women, the environment, sustainability and the global economy.

Cameroon: Focusing on Women for a Change - Interview with Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo

Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo is a Cameroonian activist and founder of Women for a Change (WFAC) Buea, based at the University of Buea.

WFAC Buea was formed in October 2009, to respond to the need to promote and protect the rights of young Cameroonian women.

Shannon Miller interviewed Zoneziwoh about her work and inspirations.

Women's Rights and the New Media

Julia Kennedy is Senior Lecturer of BA (Hons) Journalism at University College Falmouth, UK. 

Her particular research interests lie in the intersection of representations of crime, conflict and trauma with new media technologies.

Natalie Palmer interviewed Julia Kennedy about the influence of the new media on the women's rights movement.

Northern Uganda: The women who brought engineering to the desert

Teddy Curran, of AWARE Uganda, was the first female engineer in Kaabong, training young people, women, and constructing classrooms for the community during her job as programme engineer.

Claire Shaw met up with Teddy Loumo in London to ask her about her childhood experiences in Karamoja, working with AWARE-UGANDA, and her hopes.

Decimated: Spain’s Education Sector Crippled by Cuts

In April 2012 in Spain, savage cuts to the health and education sectors were announced.

A month later, news broke that this money had, in fact, gone to bail out Spanish bank Bankia. This has lead to a series of protests across the country.

Emily Wassell spoke with Spanish teachers to give an insight into the situation of women working in education in Spain... “Bankia is making off with our taxes that should be for our nation’s children”.

Russian Women: Housewives and Sex Objects?

Advertising, as an industry, is still relatively new in Russia.

The weak advertising laws are further undermined when the government itself blatantly breaks these laws, as in the 2011 election campaign video, 'Putin's Army'.

Russian student, Maria Stambler, provides an overview: "Bringing attention to these issues is the first step towards solving the problems that can affect any one of my female relatives or friends."

'Sweet Home' of Poverty, Overcrowding and Abuse - A South African Township

In 1942, “Kafferland” became known as Kayamandi, meaning “sweet home” in Xhosa, which is the main language spoken.

With the high incidence of deaths due to AIDS, as well as single mothers who are the sole bread winners of a family, girls are often required to drop out of school in order to look after their siblings, or elders.

Dominique Roberts writes about her time there. Dominique, a South African student, has worked in Kayamandi over the past three years and has got to know some of the women and girls living in very harsh conditions.

Australia: Virginity for Sale

Earlier this year, a Sydney-based escort company advertised the virginity of one of their teenage workers to potential buyers.  The young woman is a Chinese born 18-year-old international student living in Melbourne.

Claire Poyser reports on the Australian sex industry, the law, and the sexualisation of women...

Crime, Corruption, and Culture in Bulgaria - a Challenge for Women's Rights

For all its progress in the area of democratic and civic values in the past three decades, Bulgaria still remains a country of turbulence and pronounced irregularity, particularly with regard to ethnic equality and women’s rights....

Bulgaria still serves primarily as a country of origin for trafficking towards countries in Western Europe and the USA.

Victoria Pavlova reports on the situation for women in her homeland...

The Kony 2012 Campaign - Students' Views

The controversial video Kony 2012 was aimed at drawing attention to the attrocities of Joseph Kony, accused of ordering the abduction of children for use as child soldiers.

Anna Colgan provides an insight into the views of students from the University of Leeds....

Salha Kaitesi: Bringing Beauty Back to Rwanda

Long after the Rwandan genocide, there are many widows - impoverished, scarred, and in need of help.
Salha Kaitesi founded Beauty of Rwanda, an online social enterprise, offering poverty-stricken Rwandese women weavers a way of earning an income.

Claire Shaw interviewed Salha about her work and what it means to empower women in today's Rwanda.

Sri Lanka: Sexual Abuse of Girls and Women on the Rise

The final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009 claimed the lives of over 40,000 civilians, leaving over 80,000 widowed, 25,000 children orphaned, and 146,679 Tamils unaccounted for.

Heather Anthony investigates allegations of atrocities in the war and the ongoing situation for women and girls.

Domestic Violence in the UK

Domestic violence is an issue continuously re-surfacing in the UK press. Funding cuts of 50% threaten many women’s refuge shelters with closure, raisingquestions over government spending on the protection of victims.

We asked Natalie Palmer, Grainne Patterson, Rachael Fulton, and Anna Colgan to investigate...

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