PHM Africa Learning Space

What’s happening in Africa? Share your News!! November 2012 There are a number of growing and active People’s Health Movement ( PHM ) country circles in Africa linked to the various PHM programmes that are in place. Country circles and interest has grown in at least 20 African countries with membership ranging from interested individuals, loose networks and PHM circles with organised committees. Country circles have had to operate in challenging environments dealing with advocacy and activism around the right to health, national health insurance, high maternal deaths, hunger and drought, war and conflict, high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, violations of patient’s rights, lack of water and sanitation, poor policy implementation, effects of climate change, decreasing funding and broadly social determinants of health. In this brief we share some highlights of PHM activities and activities happening in Africa. Please feel to contribute in the next monthly brie

CSOs call for referendum on Union before new law 2012 NOVEMBER 20th Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have said that avoiding referendum on the  Union before gathering people’s views on the new Constitution would deny Tanzanians a mother law that they want. The remarks were made recently in Dar es Salaam at the tenth conference that discusses the role of CSOs in the process of the new constitution making. According to the CSOs, people should have been asked first whether they wanted the Union and if the answer is yes then what kind of format they will prefer. Speaking at the conference, retired Judge, Thomas Mihayo, said “A more than 50 percent consensus from Zanzibar representatives and 50 percent from the Union parliamentarians is required before the matter is forwarded for discussion in the Constitutional Assembly. He added that in the new Constitution, the Union matter was a very important issue that needed wisdom to address, therefore, it would be better to

CSO’s role in new Tanzania constitution identified 2012 NOVEMBER 20th Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been challenged to address union structure, religion, tribe and equality in the new constitution, to ensure the new Katiba provides equal rights to all without discrimination. The Executive Director of the Foundation for Civil Society, John Ulanga, said civil based societies are best placed to provide public education on good constitution and encourage the public to participate fully in giving their opinions to the Constitution review commission. Ulanga who was closing the 10 th Civil Society Annual forum in Dar es Salaam noted that the CSOs should ensure that public opinions provided are incorporated in the new constitution. He said a good constitution is one that respects human rights, noting that this can only be achieved if CSOs prepare the public well to give their opinions in the ongoing Constitution review exercise. The ED also urged CSOs to prov