Neha Wadekar

A Sudanese Bassist for Change – CNN (image)

A Sudanese Bassist for Change – CNN

April 2, 2018Videos

Meet Islam Elbeiti, the 23 year old bass player who is striving for social change in Sudan through her strings.

The Designer Putting Sudanese Fashion on the Map – CNN (image)

The Designer Putting Sudanese Fashion on the Map – CNN

March 2, 2018Videos

Nafisa Hafiz, a fashion designer from Khartoum, uses her keen eye for detail to put Sudan’s stamp on the fashion world.

Women in Somalia Can Finally Use DNA Testing to Convict Their Rapists – NowThis Her (image)

Women in Somalia Can Finally Use DNA Testing to Convict Their Rapists – NowThis Her

October 27, 2017Videos

Somalia has opened its first forensic laboratory to test DNA in sexual crimes, and it’s a big step in protecting survivors of sexual assault.

Advance Afrika and Africa Prisons Project – ITN (image)

Advance Afrika and Africa Prisons Project – ITN

October 23, 2017Videos

Ugandan prisons are setting an example for how to rehabilitate and reform inmates thanks to nonprofit organizations like Advance Afrika and Africa Prisons Project that offer education, life-skills training and economic opportunities to prisoners across the country.

This Girls’ Basketball Team Wants to End FGM in Somalia – NowThis HER (image)

This Girls’ Basketball Team Wants to End FGM in Somalia – NowThis HER

September 30, 2017Videos

Female genital mutilation is a widespread problem in Somalia — this girls basketball team wants to end the harmful practice.

Somalia Opens First Forensic Laboratory Dedicated to Rape Investigations – Voice of America (image)

Somalia Opens First Forensic Laboratory Dedicated to Rape Investigations – Voice of America

September 14, 2017Videos

Somalia has opened its first forensic laboratory to process rape kits. Sexual assault is widespread in the country, according to human rights groups, but few victims come forward and few perpetrators are punished. The new forensic lab in Somalia’s Puntland region has been hailed as a step in the right direction, but a long road remains to end impunity for gender-based violence.

Graffiti Girls Kenya – Now This HER (image)

Graffiti Girls Kenya – Now This HER

June 1, 2017Videos

These female artists in Nairobi, Kenya are using graffiti as a form of therapy.

Somalia Drought Decimates Livestock – Voice of America (image)

Somalia Drought Decimates Livestock – Voice of America

April 6, 2017Videos

Severe drought is threatening the lives and livelihoods of Somali herders. Disease and starvation are killing their animals. I joined a team of veterinarians trying to save the remaining livestock.

Pastoralists in Somalia’s Drought-Stricken Puntland Fight for Survival – Voice of America (image)

Pastoralists in Somalia’s Drought-Stricken Puntland Fight for Survival – Voice of America

April 7, 2017Videos

Severe drought has displaced nearly half a million people in Somalia. In the Puntland region, herders who have lost their livestock are now seeking refuge in urban areas. Those towns are struggling to deal with the influx of displaced families. Neha Wadekar has the story for VOA from the town of Qardho.

This Is How Trump’s Abortion Policy Will Curb Life-Saving Health Care – ELLE (image)

This Is How Trump’s Abortion Policy Will Curb Life-Saving Health Care – ELLE

February 1, 2017Videos

Quinter Atieno, 17, nearly died from three self-induced abortions using the traditional method of ingesting harmful drugs because she could not afford to visit a hospital or clinic. She was lucky. Atieno is just one of thousands upon thousands of women worldwide who, lacking access to contraceptives and safe abortion services, have turned to dangerous and often life-threatening procedures to end unwanted pregnancies.