Emily Bowers, Author at Women's eNews

Ghana’s Queen Moms Hold Court on Abortion

By Emily Bowers ● Politics ● March 9, 2008

Traditional female leaders in Ghana are beginning to open their communal gatherings to discussions of women’s legal rights to abortion. The country has one of the most liberal abortion laws in the continent, but women are dying in ignorance of it.

FGM Practitioners Sway Elections in Sierra Leone

By Emily Bowers ● Crime & Law ● September 7, 2007

Fighting female genital mutilation is tough in Sierra Leone, where 90 percent of women have been cut and the current election season has shown the political clout of practitioners. Second in a series on African women and the rule of law.

In Togo, Female Science Faculty Actively Mentor

By Emily Bowers ● Employment ● July 31, 2007

At Togo’s University of Lome, female students and faculty are rare, particularly in the sciences. A student-faculty group is working to make the sciences more attractive to girls and women. Last in a series on women and higher education in Africa.

Burkina Faso Women Spin Trash Into Exports

By Emily Bowers ● Politics ● July 8, 2007

Female artisans in Burkina Faso have found a way to turn plastic litter into handcrafted dolls and woven goods. The women now sell their wares at markets and are beginning to export them to boutiques in the United States.

University of Ghana Forges Gender Advocacy Agenda

By Emily Bowers ● Arts & Culture ● June 4, 2007

The University of Ghana is forging a gender advocacy trail in West Africa by setting up a sex-assault crisis center, forming a policy on harassment and improving the campus culture for women. Sixth in a series on higher education in Africa.

Ghana Market Women Pay the Daily Micro Man

By Emily Bowers ● Politics ● February 26, 2007

In a bustling Ghana marketplace female entrepreneurs borrow small sums from a micro-finance institution. The loans aren’t cheap–annual interest rates are around 36 percent–but a few borrowers explain how the money still helps out.

Ghana’s University Women Start Going for Gold

By Emily Bowers ● Arts & Culture ● January 8, 2007

Female undergrads are still a small minority at Ghana’s University of Mines and Technology. An affirmative action program means their numbers are expanding. Third in a series on higher education in Africa.

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