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JUST IN: INEC Shuts Activities Nationwide Over Coronavirus

The Independent National Electoral Commission has suspended its activities in the country over the outbreak of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

Festus Okoye, National Commission and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement said the commission in line with directives of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control and the social distancing advisory of the World Health Organisation, will suspend all regular and non-essential activities for 14 days.

He added that the electoral commission values the health and wellbeing of all staff, officials and general public.

“Effective from Tuesday 24th March 2020, all regular and non-essential activities will be suspended in its headquarters and offices nation-wide for 14 days in the first instance.

“The regular quarterly meetings with stakeholders including political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and all other meetings, have been suspended until such a time when normalcy returns.

“The commission will no longer monitor the conventions, congresses, conferences or meetings of political parties until further notice,” Okoye said.

INEC noted that the suspension of its activities would not affect the activities for Edo and Ondo governorship elections scheduled for 19th September and 10th October 2020 respectively.

Recall that the government ordered all civil servants to stay at home with all schools closed down.

The country has 36 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country with one reported death.

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http://saharareporters.com/2020/03/23/just-inec-shuts-activities-nationwide-over-coronavirus-0

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March 24, 2020
Higher Education Ministry gives go-ahead for e-learning

PUTRAJAYA: The Higher Education Ministry (KPT) has given the approval for all higher education institutions (IPTs) Including public and private universities to conduct online teaching or e-learning.

KPT in a statement today said online teaching could only be conducted if all students have access to lecturers and all infrastructure requirements are in place.

“The ministry is aware of the level of readiness of some higher education institutions, in terms of infrastructure and lecturers as well as those offering programmes via Open and Distance Learning,” wrote the statement.

KPT hoped there would be no issue over connectivity causing some to miss the e-learning session adding that face-to face learning is strictly prohibited. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/higher-education-ministry-gives-go-ahead-for-e-learning-KB2164048

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March 20, 2020
PTPTN defers loan repayments until June 30

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to defer National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayments with immediate effect until June 30.

PTPTN in a statement today said the postponement was made in light of the Covid-19 outbreak, and is expected to benefit 1.5 million borrowers with total collection of RM375 million over the three-month deferment period.

“PTPTN is always concerned and sensitive of the welfare of borrowers,” the statement added.

For further information, PTPTN borrowers can contact corporation’s Careline at 03-21933000 which operates from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

More information can be obtained on its official website at www.ptptn.gov.my.

Earlier, after chairing the Special Ministerial Committee on the Movement Control Order (MCO), Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also the Defence Minister said PTPTN had agreed to suspend loan repayments for the time being. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/ptptn-defers-loan-repayments-until-june-30-JE2152083

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March 19, 2020
How big data is reshaping aging research and education

The age of big data is here: The world has created more data in the past two years than in the entire previous history of the human race. USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology researchers are dissecting treasure troves of information—from sources as diverse as brain scans and the human genome—to fuel groundbreaking research on improving how we age, and to reshape gerontology education to enable future scientists to make an impact in a changing field.

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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-big-reshaping-aging.html

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March 17, 2020
Mukhriz challenges Muhyiddin for Bersatu presidency (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) elections is set to be a mouth-watering affair with Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir challenging Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the party president’s post.

Another relative unknown in the party, Cheras division deputy chief Mohd Faiz Azlee Sham, will also contest the position, it was confirmed yesterday.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, meanwhile, will remain as the party’s chairman at the post was uncontested.

Bersatu elections committee chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said this in a press conference after nomination closed at 3pm today.

However, he said the party polls, which was supposed to be held on April 18 at the division level, has been postponed until at least June 30, after the Registrar of Societies ordered all party meetings and conventions to be suspended in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.

“The party’s supreme council members will decide and finalise on a new date,” he said.

Hamid said all nominated individuals would also be screened to ensure they were qualified to contest, while also urging all candidates to practise a clean and fair campaign and not resort to money politics.

The contest for party presidency comes amidst growing cracks in the party, with one faction supposedly led by Muhyiddin and the other by Mahathir and his son Mukhriz, who is the incumbent party deputy president.

This comes following a political crisis that saw Muhyiddin leading Bersatu out of Pakatan Harapan (PH) to form a new government with Perikatan Nasional.

The move, however, was not endorsed by Mahathir, who with several others, decided to remain with PH.

Other than the president’s post, the deputy presidency will also see a three-cornered fight with party secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya taking on Perak Mentri Besar and state Bersatu chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and Selangor deputy Youth chief Anas Akashah Nazri.

Interestingly, Marzuki’s name was nominated by Mukhriz and seconded by Mahathir.

The vice-president post will also see 15 people contesting for three positions, among the prominent names include Education Minister Radzi Jidin, party supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof and former Umno leader Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.

PKR defectors Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin’s names were nowhere to be seen as Bersatu’s constitution stipulates that a person has to be a party member for at least a year before they can contest for positions.

Meanwhile, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman will defend his position as Youth chief against his former special officer Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and Bersatu Youth exco member Mohd Muzammil Ismail.

Datuk Seri Rina Rahun will also defend her Women’s chief post against three others.

In an immediate response, political analyst Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Mukhriz’s decision to challenge Muhyiddin for president would be a do-or-die for the former.

“If Mukhriz loses, he will lose it all, but if he wins he will be able to forge a new direction for Bersatu.

“For Muhyddin, he is confident that he has the upperhand including support from the grassroots members as he is the president.

“Although the situation looks like it favours Muhyddin, there is also the presence of Mahathir in support of Mukhriz,” Awang told theSun, adding this would be a test of Mahathir’s influence in the party.

Awang, however, pointed out that there could be a different outcome altogether should the leaders negotiate and decide to withdraw their candidacy.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/mukhriz-challenges-muhyiddin-for-bersatu-presidency-updated-DF2135342

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March 16, 2020
Planning to open a 529 plan account for someone you love? It’s a smart move for education—and for your estate.

See how to use a 529 plan as an efficient way to save for education and a powerful estate planning strategy.

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https://investornews.vanguard/planning-to-open-a-529-plan-account-for-someone-you-love-its-a-smart-move-for-education-and-for-your-estate/

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March 16, 2020
COVID-19: IFRC, UNICEF and WHO issue guidance to protect children and support safe school operations
GENEVA/NEW YORK – The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) today issued new guidance to help protect children and schools from transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The guidance provides critical considerations and practical checklists to keep schools safe. It also advises national and local authorities on how to adapt and implement emergency plans for educational facilities.

In the event of school closures, the guidance includes recommendations to mitigate against the possible negative impacts on children’s learning and wellbeing. This means having solid plans in place to ensure the continuity of learning, including remote learning options such as online education strategies and radio broadcasts of academic content, and access to essential services for all children. These plans should also include necessary steps for the eventual safe reopening of schools.

Where schools remain open, and to make sure that children and their families remain protected and informed, the guidance calls for:
- Providing children with information about how to protect themselves;
- Promoting best handwashing and hygiene practices and providing hygiene supplies;
- Cleaning and disinfecting school buildings, especially water and sanitation facilities; and
- Increasing airflow and ventilation.
The guidance, while specific to countries that have already confirmed the transmission of COVID-19, is still relevant in all other contexts. Education can encourage students to become advocates for disease prevention and control at home, in school, and in their community by talking to others about how to prevent the spread of viruses. Maintaining safe school operations or reopening schools after a closure, requires many considerations, but if done well, can promote public health.

For example, safe school guidelines implemented in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola virus disease from 2014 to 2016 helped prevent school-based transmissions of the virus.

UNICEF is urging schools – whether open or helping students through remote learning – to provide students with holistic support. Schools should provide children with vital information on handwashing and other measures to protect themselves and their families; facilitate mental health support; and help to prevent stigma and discrimination by encouraging students to be kind to each other and avoid stereotypes when talking about the virus.

The new guidance also offers helpful tips and checklists for parents and caregivers, as well as children and students themselves. These actions include:
- Monitoring children’s health and keeping them home from school if they are ill;
- Encouraging children to ask questions and express their concerns; and
- Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth and nose.
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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/10-03-2020-covid-19-ifrc-unicef-and-who-issue-guidance-to-protect-children-and-support-safe-school-operations

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March 11, 2020
The unmet need for social context in family planning

New evidence on the relationship between sexual health and social context finds a strong association between gender equality, education and family planning

Twenty-five years ago, two global events – the International Conference on Population and Development and the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing – formally recognized that women’s health and reproductive choices cannot be separated from the social context of their lives.

Now, researchers have created a dataset which brings together national surveys from 74 countries, representing 3 million women. For the first time, it allows them to describe trends in demand/use of modern contraceptives alongside social and economic indicators.

The data is published in The Lancet Global Health and is authored by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the World Health Organization.

It shows that, over time, women are more likely to have their demand for modern contraception met in countries where gender equality and their educational opportunities improve.

Gender equality and education increases access to modern contraception

Trends in sexual activity and demand for use and use of modern contraceptive methods in 74 countries: a retrospective analysis of nationally representative surveys finds that met need for modern contraception is strongly correlated with positive shifts in social structures.
For every 0.1-point increase in a country’s gender development index, it found a 6.7% rise in women who were sexually active and did not want to conceive. Of those women, an additional 13.5% used modern methods to prevent a pregnancy.

Expectations of every girl’s right to education also made a difference. Each extra year in schooling is linked to an increase of 2.3% in demand, and a 4.7% increase in use of modern contraceptive methods.

“This study shows how every woman must negotiate her reproductive autonomy within the social framework in which she lives, responding to barriers and opportunities as they emerge,” says Dr Lale Say, one of the authors of the study and Unit Head at WHO and HRP.

“Gender equality is both a precondition and a driving force for securing women’s reproductive health and rights – as well as the sustainable development targets, which are our best chance for delivering health and well-being for all.”

Global trends reveal new challenges in family planning

Overall, the data reinforce global trends: more time spent sexually-active and single, postponement of parenthood, and the near-universal desire for smaller families.

The study also highlights where action is needed at country-level to avoid family planning services falling behind demand.

Out of the 74 countries analyzed, 42 showed an increase in demand for contraception. Only 37 countries show an increase in use of a modern method to prevent pregnancy.

Although unmet need for contraception declined in 34 countries, it increased in 14 countries. Significantly more progress is needed, and faster, to ensure each girl and woman is able to access the sexual and reproductive health services she needs.

Barriers and solutions to reproductive health and rights

Gender equality can affect contraceptive use in many ways. From the personal and political degree to which women are free to choose their sexual activity, to accessing family planning services it can also shape any power imbalances within personal relationships. This study supports recent efforts by WHO to adopt a broader, integrated concept of sexual and reproductive health – and to translate it into a framework for policy and practice.

The authors argue that family planning targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will not be met without a profound shift: from focus on ‘access to contraception’, to broader aspects of sexual health and social context.

Since reproductive health and women’s empowerment are intertwined, trends in contraceptive use can also reveal progress towards another global target: progress towards gender equality.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/10-03-2020-the-unmet-need-for-social-context-in-family-planning

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March 11, 2020
Women’s health and rights: 25 years of progress?

The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains the world’s most progressive blueprint for advancing gender equality worldwide. Twenty-five years after it was affirmed by 189 countries, what progress has been made in raising this blueprint
off the page?

On International Women’s Day the World Health Organization, United Nations University – International Institute for Global Health and the British Medical Journal have launched a special series marking ‘Beijing+25’.

It shines a spotlight on health, education, environment, work and other critical foundations of life as they empower or restrict the rights and well-being of girls and women.

Women’s rights are human rights

Every person’s right to control their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health is linked to their human rights. This makes sexual and reproductive health and rights a cornerstone of the Beijing strategy: both as a driver towards gender equality,
and a fundamental part of it.

The first article in the series, ‘25 years after the Beijing Declaration we need to reaffirm that women’s rights are human rights,’ highlights recent advances in gender equality and celebrates
the rise of a new and determined generation of activists, working together to empower girls and women.

It also expresses concern that progress has been superficial and not fast enough. Some critical areas of work have slowed or even been pushed back, such as comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, services and rights.

The authors ask for increased and direct investment in women and girls, to meet their specific health needs and accelerate equal rights for all.

Uneven progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights

The Beijing Declaration affirms that the human rights of women cannot be separated from the universal human rights of every person – but that without concrete actions to strengthen them, they will remain rights in name only.

Some advances in this area since 1995 can be measured by health outcomes, including a reduction in both maternal mortality and rates of female genital mutilation. Positive change is also reflected in public awareness: concepts of period poverty and sexual
harassment, once taboo, are being taken up in day-to-day language.

And yet today, sexual and reproductive health conditions remain one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity for women and girls. Violence against women and girls is the most frequent human rights abuse worldwide.

Twenty-five years on, the Beijing agenda is still relevant and still unfinished.

Defending the defenders of women’s health and rights

Although The Platform for Action is repeatedly affirmed in international and governmental forums, women and girls still face social, political and cultural barriers to controlling their sexuality, sexual and reproductive health.

Their decisions cannot be free from coercion, discrimination and violence if they are made in the context of power imbalances, harmful gender norms and inequalities.

The authors from HRP, the Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, the Supreme Court of Nepal, the WHO and Women Deliver call for a system of protection for women’s human rights defenders everywhere.

They celebrate new communities of frontline defenders, civil society movements holding governments to account, and vibrant coalitions such as Generation Equality as drivers of achievements in girls and women’s rights over the last twenty-five years.

An anniversary is an opportunity for change

Governments are preparing for the 64^th Commission on the Status of Women in late March, where they will review implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and challenges affecting full realization of the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.

They will recognize that no country has fully achieved equality, and that women and girls who experience multiple forms of discrimination throughout their lives are still the most held back.

If this collective reflection can be shifted into action, 2020 will become a new anniversary: a pivotal year for the accelerated realization of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, everywhere.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/08-03-2020-women-s-health-and-rights-25-years-of-progress

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March 8, 2020
Tunnel fire safety: With only minutes to respond, fire education really counts

Global risk management experts are calling for fire education initiatives to be included in driver safety programs so that drivers are better prepared for an emergency if faced with it on the roads.

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March 4, 2020