The ongoing series highlights women’s news and information from around the globe. This week’s post covered January 28- February 4.

Women In Tech

This week, Google introduced a women-focused accelerator programme in Africa, to help more African women break into the IT industry. A viable product or service, business concept, and team are required for applicants to be considered.

Beginning in March 2023, the 12-week programme will feature one boot camp each month, delivered via a combination of online and in-person sessions.

The selected firms will be given access to Google’s products, resources, tools, and technology, as well as coaching from industry experts, access to Google’s cloud platform, and connections to investors.

Read more here.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea has produced its first female prime minister after Manuela Roka Botey was nominated to the office by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

After being appointed to the position in August 2020, Botey oversaw all aspects of national and higher education and sports. Also at the National University of Equatorial Guinea, she served as Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Letters and Social Sciences.

“For the first time in Equatorial Guinea, a woman is appointed prime minister,” tweeted the vice-president and son of the head of state, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, aka Teodorin.

Read more here.

United States of America

The United States Secretary of State announced new visa restrictions against the Taliban.

This announcement was made on Wednesday by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

“I am taking action today to impose additional visa restrictions on certain current or former Taliban members, members of non-state security groups, and other individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, repressing women and girls in Afghanistan,” Blinken said in a statement.

Read more here.

The United Kingdom

The government’s response to the menopause in the workplace report was released on July 28, 2022, by the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee.

Some of the Committee’s suggestions are accepted in principle by the government in its response; these include the appointment of a Menopausal Ambassador, the beginning of a menopause public health campaign, and the inclusion of education about menopause in schools.

The Committee also draws attention to the government’s dismissal of low-cost but high-impact chances for menopause leave and role models in the workplace rules for handling the menopause.

Read more here.

India

Women came out in large numbers on Saturday to protest against the arrest of their husbands and sons as the Assam government launched a massive crackdown on child marriages.

Read more here.