On February 20, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan issued its third report. Despite the peace deal signed five months ago, it documented an increase in cases of rape and sexual violence over the past year, concluding that the crimes had “become quite normalized” in South Sudan. Driving much of this is oil. 

Women are responsible for 70 to 80 percent of all agricultural labor in Nigeria, and according to federal and state law, they have the right to hold and inherit land. But, only 10 percent of land owners in Nigeria are women. This discrepancy is also present elsewhere in Africa and around the world. African communities will be some of the hardest hit by climate change, but protecting women’s land rights can help mitigate the effects.

Voices from the Field features contributions from scholars and practitioners highlighting new research, thinking, and approaches to development challenges. This article is authored by Anna Applebaum …