Volume 6 (No 1-2)
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Browsing Volume 6 (No 1-2) by Subject "Africa"
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ItemClimate displacement and the relevance of climate justice: A trend analysis of South Africa, Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Liberia(Global Campus Human Rights, 2022) Jegede, Ademola Oluborode ; Yeakula, Gerald Dan ; Ater, Justin Monyping ; Nare, Mosupatsila Mothohabonoe ; Fengu, Zanele ChristineDisplacement is a major consequence of climate change being faced by populations in Africa, as shown in the experiences of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Liberia and South Sudan. As a response to the injustices and inequalities experienced by vulnerable communities, the concept of climate justice has featured in academic writings and international policy documents on climate change. However, its reflection and application in domestic legal frameworks to the specific situation of climate-induced internal displacement in Africa are scant in academic engagement. Using a doctrinal approach in engaging with existing writings and instruments on displacement and climate justice, the study interrogates the extent to which the legal framework in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Liberia and South Sudan may apply in achieving climate justice for displaced persons. The study demonstrates that whereas there is a recognition of climate justice as a legal response to climate-induced internal displacement in international law, much remains to be achieved in terms of the reflection and application of the existing legal framework at the domestic level. It then makes specific recommendations on how to strengthen existing instruments to achieve climate justice for displaced persons.
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ItemCOVID-19 must accelerate African push for universal healthcare(Global Campus Human Rights, 2022) Mayamba, Johnson“The greatest injustice is the lack of access to equitable healthcare” Dr Martin Luther King Jr. In a bid to achieve equitable healthcare in Africa, a total of 46 African states met in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2001. In what came to be known as the Abuja Declaration, each African state pledged to commit 15 percent of public expenditure to health. More than two decades since the Declaration was signed, only two African countries have reached this target, leaving vast swathes of the continent vulnerable to emerging health crises such as Ebola and COVID-19. Poor response and management is exacerbated by unpreparedness due to lack of research and under-developed infrastructure. Limited healthcare funding has also led to other challenges such as exploitation of patients, especially by private health providers, who see public health crises as money-making opportunities. Unfortunately, even those entrusted with managing public funds dedicated to the response and management of these crises have resorted to corruption. Whilst we tentatively celebrate having finally survived COVID-19, Africa needs to learn lessons from its past and plan for a better future. Firstly, by increasing government funding towards the health sector and secondly by addressing other still-existing challenges to equitable healthcare. This article recommends building resilient healthcare systems; adopting individual and group participation in decision-making processes; and ensuring there is Universal Health Coverage. All these must start with political will and good leadership.