Olu Alake

Doing what I love: Facilitating Gender Training Today I partnered with the Saint Lucia Planned Parenthood Association to facilitate training under the project "Gender Based Violence through Engagement of Women in Male Dominated Spaces" . The training was facilitated for Faith Based Organisations(FBOs) as these organisations play a major role in influencing, values, traditions and decision-making processes. Engaging FBOs on such a project helps religious leaders and faith-based leaning individuals to recognise signs of GBV, addressing its effects and advocating for changing the toxic norms and values that perpetuate GBV. It was such a great session, as participants engaged in healthy discussions while learning about gender and its relation to GBV. Key concepts like gender norms, social location, intersectionality, power were taught through interactive and participatory exercises. One of the major outcomes of the session was opportunities for continued collaboration with these organisations. Participants requested assistance in drafting GBV and Safeguarding policies, in addition to proposing collaboration on the provision of safe houses for GBV victims. I am certainly looking forward to the implementation of next steps. Thanks to the French Embassy for funding the project and unitecaribbean snd and Saint Lucia Planned Parenthood for implementing this project. #gbv #gender #fbos #plannedparenthood

25

This article in Third Sector is very pertinent. While we were all quick to make necessary statements of condemnation and support after the last riots, it is imperative that the introspection required of the sector focuses on the role that we need to play in ensuring that we are challenging perspectives and myth-busting and educating upstream. The sector has been too cowed in recent years to desist from making what was deemed political statements. The implicit and sometimes explicit threats of sanction and attendant financial implications meant that we did not challenge robustly enough the rhetoric amongst politicians that fed false narratives (LIES) and scapegoating of minoritised communities and immigrants to the country, a situation that the Far Right exploited to reinvigorate their racism and xenophobia. As a sector, we need to regain that sense of purpose to bravely and purposefully challenge anyone that uses lies and misinformation and strawman arguments to demonise and cause division, while simultaneously having conversations about how we can best educate the country about a more comprehensive sense of the UK's history and its contemporary manifestations and implications. We can start with dismantling nonsense like Kemi Badenoch's recent article in the Daily Mail where, having been cynically silent about the riots, she opportunistically attributes the recent riots to identity politics. https://lnkd.in/eJHyAk3m. Let's not wait till the next riots or social upheaval before we make our voices heard. If we feel that we can be picked off individually or our lone voices will be too small to be heard amongst the noise, then let's work with our collective associations and membership bodies to pushback on our behalf. As we saw when the people came out in counterprotest, we have the power. #ThirdSector #Locality #Belonging #Charities #Community #SocialAction #PeoplePower #Racism #Xenophobia

14

Please see the information below and share widely. As we approach a general election in 2024, we need to ensure that the concerns of Black Britain are articulated and heard by the political parties, and ensure that they commit to addressing these when in government. #Democracy #BlackBritain #UKpolitics #Representation #Equity #Justice #BlackVote #SocialJustice

25

1 Comment

https://lnkd.in/ex-5HuJV As we wrap up Black History Month, I wanted to take a moment to reflect and re-share my blog on the enduring impacts of slavery and colonialism. 🌍✊ This topic feels especially timely and important, as conversations around reparations are becoming more prominent on the agendas of many global leaders. 💬🌐 Understanding the legacy of colonialism and the deep-rooted effects of slavery isn’t just about acknowledging the past — it’s about actively engaging in discussions that shape a more equitable future. 🔎🤝 We must continue to address these systemic injustices and work towards meaningful change. Check out my blog for a deeper dive, and join the conversation! 📝👀 #BlackHistoryMonth #ReparationsNow #ColonialHistory #SocialJustice #EquityAndInclusion #EnduringLegacy #MakeChange

1

3 Comments

#Bold article about the inequities of global pandemic responses. Africa is once again faced with a health threat, with WHO announcing #Mpox as a public health emergency yesterday- the looming questions are 1. would we be prioritized to receive life-saving vaccines? 2. Should we expect unfair travel bans? I think we all know the answers from the #COVID19 experience. Most importantly, when will we invest in strengthening our systems for #pandemic response? When does the reliance on the global north to save us end? #foodforthought #mpox #pandemicresponse

12

As Black people, we often wear poverty with dignity and tend normalise it . We fill Churches to capacity hoping that our poverty will end, subsequently enhancing Pastors purses and their lavish lifestyles. Because the colonial Religious system emphasises that in order to achieve something, we must pray...yet Porverty persist. Are we, as Black people praying incorrect Deity? This passage is in my book.

2

1 Comment

A nice-to-read interview, highlighting a very important topic #refugee_led_organisations #funding_mechanism #donors #private_foundation #impact #refugee #humanitarian

3

Really proud of this one. Today, UK Youth is publishing a new report with Institute for Government that sets out a clear path for government to unlock the power of preventative services, including youth work. https://lnkd.in/e8vEYwDf Preventative local authority spending on services like youth clubs and children’s centres was cut by more than three-quarters (77.9%) between 2009/10 and 2022/23, while acute spending on looked after children and safeguarding services rose by more than half (58.1%) over the same period. This is bad economics and it is hurting young people. Rather than just point out the problem, this report sets out a clear roadmap for the next government to transform millions of lives and save billions of pounds. The rapidly rising needs of young people – with threats to their mental health, employment, and even physical safety – are not inevitable. We have clear evidence of what works to change this trend. Now we need policymakers to play their part and make the long-term commitment required.

89

2 Comments

Yesterday, I spent an insightful evening listening to Dr Belinda Nwosu FIH and Martin Punaks as they discussed building effective safeguarding in Nigerian NGOs. I was gutted I couldn’t stay until the end, but the conversation about the difference between intent and actual outcomes sparked a deeper understanding of the complexities of Safeguarding in various international contexts. While the term safeguarding might differ, the intention to keep everyone safe is shared, though it doesn’t always translate into effective outcomes, particularly when there are gaps in resources, systems, and infrastructures. The distinction between the UK's principles of safeguarding and the reality in countries with different social and institutional frameworks is crucial. We cannot apply a one size fits all approach, as this can potentially cause more harm than good, and while the strength of state institutions like police and social services is questionable, what they highlighted is that strength can be found in collaboration and partnerships with specialised NGOs, federations and activists. It was a inspiring evening and a reminder that safeguarding can be achieved everywhere, you just need to be a little more creative, resourceful, adaptable, and responsive to the specific needs and limitations of each country. #safeguarding #internationaldevelopment

17

6 Comments

Talking multiple brains Powered by Restream https://restream.io/ Chatting with Scofray Yeboah - head of the ICF Chapter Ghana. All about our multiple brains - the implications in our daily lives - at home and at work

10

2 Comments

Day 2 New Face in Defiance At A Girl At A Time Sierra Leone, we empower young people to stand against sexual and gender-based violence, including FGM/C. Our mission goes beyond advocacy; it’s about giving the youth the tools, knowledge, and support they need to stand against the injustices they face, particularly sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). Through education, community engagement, and peer mentoring, we equip the next generation with the knowledge and tools to protect their rights and advocate for change. In a country where FGM/C and other forms of GBV are still prevalent, our mission is crucial. our mission is to create a world where every girl can live free from fear and violence. We are committed to making that dream a reality by challenging harmful traditions, providing safe spaces for survivors, and advocating for policies that protect the most vulnerable. Join us in our mission. Stand with us in the fight against GBV and FGM/C. #EndGBV #GirlsRights #FGMCutFree #Empowerment #YouthForChange

3

What role should public service media play in strengthening democracy and reflecting the diverse voices of our communities? Explore my latest blog on the challenges and opportunities for renewing PSM in the UK, and join the conversation on how we can shape a more inclusive media future

1

Mindful that the social transformation agenda needs to be built on rigorous research in order to be effective, the Black Management Forum has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop research that informs policy and practice and leads to meaningful social change. Join us for this webinar when we outline the road map for the policy and research committee (PRC) of the Black Management Forum! Monde Lot Ndlovu (MBA), (PD) SA Boipelo Letlape Thulisile Buthelezi Lerato S Motimele Ayavuya Madolo

12

2 Comments

Africa’s moment is here – its creative and cultural sectors are booming globally. From Africa’s export of afrobeat sounds to the rising profile of African films and music on global platforms, the Creative Industries present an opportunity to propel innovation and unlock opportunities for the continent’s youthful and energetic population. On May 16 in Kigali, more than 20 leading practitioners from across several sectors will gather to discuss concrete ways to accelerate the growth of the industry.   Learn more: http://wrld.bg/5ftF50QUekp #ACF2024 #IFCCreativeIndustries

43

After Sixty Seven years of independence, we are still grappling with the fundamental challenges of development in Ghana We certainly deserve better than this as a people. Fellow Countrymen and women, to overcome our challenges I propose the following six fundamental considerations: 1. Ushering in a new type of Leadership 2. Implementing transformational policies 3. Making Private Sector the Engine of Growth & Development 4. Building a United Ghana 5. Putting Young People & Women at the Centre of our National Development Agenda 6. Inspiring a Revolutionary Change in the Mindset and Behavior of Ghanaians #GhanaWillRiseAgain  #JobsAndCashEconomy  #MovementForChange

65

1 Comment

Headline of the Morning - this is NOT a Black Woman or political issue. This is a journalism issue. The radio station owners did the right thing, but does appear they may have thrown her under the bus. The article says she did it without permission. If they broadcast it, that is permission. Meaning they knew. When the public watches an interview they expect the journalist is learning answers to the questions the same time they do. What makes the journalist asking the questions a journalist not just a member of the public , is training and experience. Getting the interview in the first place means the reporter specializes in the topic, has done some research and knows information the average person on the street might not know but would be interested to. Biden was in a tough spot. He was being criticized by opponents and folks in his party. His campaign was in crisis. When people in power fear threat of loss, they behave badly. The government left unchecked will always behave badly. It is the job of a journalist to keep the government and people in it in check. Allowing the subject of an interview, or a target of an investigation, to control the interview is not journalism. It is trying out to be a government public information officer. Or PIO. The reporter was fired for being unethical which stands to lose public trust. It is more than likely that everyone at the station knew she was given the questions and she only got fired when the info leaked out. Biden, like any other person with power , and his team , could always ask to pre draft the questions as a term for granting the interview and the station would have run it because they are benefiting from the advertising the election brings and don’t care either way who wins or loses the election. But that reporter didn’t have to accept and do the interview with pre drafted questions - but she did. Several judges and cops have expressed frustration off record and on about journalists not being licensed. This is why we aren’t. Journalists hold public trust as a condition of employment. If a journalist should break that trust , they never get it back. If they are given a second chance , they never hold public trust as completely as they did before they broke it by mistake or greed. The firing says - we will let the public decide if she agreed to do the interview our of greed or in the public interest.

4

8 Comments

Want to know what makes young people tick? ➡️ Swipe to learn the 6 key factors that drive youth engagement. Ready to empower the next generation? Support our mentorship and community programmes: www.himyouth.com #youthvoice #lambeth #mentoring #youthengagement

5