05:00
HEALTH
Despite significant progress in improving access to integrated sexual and reproductive health services, particularly family planning, other factors such as climate change continue to exacerbate inequalities in access to integrated sexual and reproductive health services, family planning, and gender-based violence in Madagascar. Regarding gender-based violence (GBV), 35% of women report having experienced physical or sexual violence since the age of 15, according to the results of the fifth Madagascar Demographic and Health Survey (EDSMD-V). Efforts have been made to break the silence around GBV, but challenges remain in ensuring holistic and quality care for victims of violence, given the increasing number of reported cases. Additionally, the maternal mortality ratio remains very high, with 408 deaths per 100,000 live births (RGPH 2018). In Madagascar, a funding of 21.6 million dollars is needed to provide integrated reproductive health services, family planning, and protection against gender-based violence to 3 million women, girls, and youth annually over a period of five years, says UNFPA in its report on the state of the world population 2024 for the Indian Ocean islands, namely Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
06:00
TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME
Jugadores y representantes del Ministerio de Justicia, así como del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, recientemente participaron en una capacitación sobre la lucha contra el crimen organizado transnacional y el tráfico ilícito de fauna en Madagascar. La capacitación, respaldada por USAID Madagascar y organizada en colaboración con la Escuela Nacional de Magistratura y Secretarios Judiciales, reunió a 50 jueces y se centró en fortalecer sus habilidades para combatir el tráfico de fauna, técnicas de investigación, enjuiciamiento y condena de traficantes, y desmantelamiento de redes involucradas en este tráfico. INTERPOL también compartió su experiencia y mejores prácticas en la investigación del tráfico ilícito de fauna. Esta capacitación tiene como objetivo fortalecer los esfuerzos para combatir el tráfico ilícito de fauna, que representa una amenaza significativa para la biodiversidad de Madagascar.
07:00
POLE STAGE MADAGASCAR
The Syndicate of Industries of Madagascar (SIM) and its partners launched the seventh edition of the Pôle Stage Madagascar program from 8th to 11th July at Anosy to promote entrepreneurial and industrial spirit and prepare young students for the professional world. This year, 154 students from eight public and private higher institutions received training on topics such as entrepreneurial culture and professional success. The objective is to contribute to the professional integration of young people by preparing them to meet the requirements of companies from their internships and first jobs. SIM and its partners are committed to training a new generation of entrepreneurs and skilled workers for the future of Madagascar.
08:00
MADAGASCAR – CHINA
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar, Rafaravavitafika Rasata, participated in the Second High-Level Conference of the Global Action Forum for Shared Development in Beijing, China, on 12th and 13th July 2024. This conference, organized by the Center for Global Development Promotion of the Chinese Agency for International Development (CIDCA), strengthened cooperation between Madagascar and China, particularly with CIDCA. Madagascar’s participation also highlighted the priorities of the Malagasy government in terms of human capital development, industrialization, and governance, which are in line with the Global Development Initiative launched by the Chinese President in 2021.
09:00
PROTECTION OF WHISTLEBLOWERS
The 2024 African Day Against Corruption (ADAC) focused on the need to protect whistleblowers. The Committee for Integrity Safeguarding (CIS) emphasized the importance of defining whistleblowers and noted discrepancies between international conventions and national law on anti-corruption in Madagascar. Although it provides some protective measures for whistleblowers, such as identity protection and rules of evidence to ensure their safety, it does not include measures for the physical protection of whistleblowers or the provision of a new residence. The CIS concluded that the current law is insufficient to protect whistleblowers and recommended the adoption of legislative measures for the physical protection of whistleblowers, the provision of rules of evidence to guarantee their safety, and the establishment of agreements to provide a new residence.
10:00
ARCHIVES AND ENTERPRISE
A roundtable on the theme “The management of archives as a guarantee of good corporate governance” was recently organized at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Antananarivo (CCIA). During the session, officials from the Department of History at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Antananarivo presented the importance and necessity of good archive management for the public and private sectors, as well as the training path in the IDAM (Information, Documentation, Archival Science, Museology) Bachelor’s and Professional Master’s programs. Guests from the École nationale des chartes presented the history of their collaboration with African countries, including Madagascar, to strengthen the training of archivists. At the end of the roundtable, several proposals were suggested, such as the revitalization of collaboration between CCIA and the Department of History to raise awareness among companies about the importance of good archive management, the conduct of a survey to identify the needs of companies in terms of archive management, and the implementation of training programs for professionals specialized in the field of archives, in collaboration with national and international partners.
11:00
RNT14
A team from the Department of Environmental Studies and Assessment (DEEE) of the Ministry of Public Works (MTP) and the Regional Directorate of the Ministry in Vatovavy (DRTP) conducted a survey on the RNT14 road connecting Ifanadiana and Ikongo as part of an environmental impact study this week. According to the MTP, this step is necessary before starting the road repair works. The study focused on the kilometer points PK14+300, PK 12+000, and PK 10+000, where major projects are planned. Furthermore, due to recent rains, rocks have been scattered and mud clearance works have been carried out at the black spots of this road to facilitate the movement of transporters. The company TSARA has also started repair works at PK17 of this axis.
12:12
SEAMAN IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT
A cooperation agreement for the printing of seaman identification documents (SID) between the Maritime and River Port Agency (APMF) and the National Police as the issuing authority of the digital identity of Malagasy citizens has recently taken place. The State aims to provide every Malagasy sailor with an SID this year. According to the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology, there are 11,000 Malagasy sailors, including 5,000 working internationally. Possessing an SID helps strengthen the trust of employers, shipowners, and foreigners in Malagasy sailors. It also allows for easier movement of sailors and increases job opportunities.
13:00
AIRPORT SECURITY
A workshop on risk management in airport environments was recently held at the ENEAM Madagascar premises to assist the Malagasy government in establishing a risk mapping in airports in order to identify, analyze, evaluate, and enable the authority to take risk mitigation measures. The training, attended by 21 participants from the Civil Aviation of Madagascar – ACM, the National Police, the National Gendarmerie, airlines, airport managers, and security operators, was conducted by two safety auditors-instructors from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Funded by the Security Implementation and Development Support Program (ISD-SEC), its goal was to establish the risk evaluation commission to facilitate their task.
14:37
ALBATROS PROJECT
The European Union will invest $500,000, equivalent to 2.5 billion ariary, in the framework of the Albatros project in Madagascar for rapid resilience to climate change. The Big Island is one of the 5 African countries, along with South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, where the EU finances this project with $10 million. After thorough investigations, it was decided that the project will be implemented in Toamasina and Morondava. A mangrove planting campaign in the Kirindy MIKEA reserve will also be scheduled in the meantime, as indicated by the National Bureau for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC). The announcement of the implementation of this project was recently made at the Radisson Blue Ambodivona.
15:00
BIODIVERSITY
According to the Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity of Madagascar, the financing granted in 2023 to 64 protected areas, covering a total area of 5.3 million hectares, has preserved 500 animal and plant species, the majority of which are endemic to Madagascar and listed on the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The conservation status of these targeted species has remained stable, with some of them even experiencing an increase in density and/or abundance in certain protected areas. This has been made possible through the protection of their natural habitats and the reduction of hunting activities.
16:00
ENERGY TRANSITION
UNICEF Madagascar has started transitioning to solar energy in its field offices since January 2023. This initiative aims to address the challenges of climate change, which particularly affects Malagasy children according to a 2021 report. The use of solar energy allows UNICEF to promote sustainable operations, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure reliable power supply. Additionally, it enables the organization to save resources to better meet the needs of children. For example, in Tolagnaro, the installation of solar energy has allowed the team to work more efficiently without interruption, thus responding more quickly to the needs of children.
17:20
RFC
Four Golden Zebus were awarded to the best short films at the 19th edition of the Rencontres du Film Court (RFC) on July 12th. “Kreme” by Magaye Gaye received the Golden Zebu for Pan-African Fiction Competition, while the Golden Zebu for Pan-African Documentary Competition was awarded to Gourio Laurino Raoelijaona for “Les Sentiers du Doute” (“Paths of Doubt”). “Womlin and the Daemons” by Roland Oka received the award for Pan-African Animation Competition, and Fanasina Randriamiharisoa was rewarded with the Golden Zebu for National Competition for “Engrenage” (“Gear”). The Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication and Culture, Fetra Rakotondrasoava, highlighted the government’s commitment through this department to collaborate in the promotion of the cultural and creative industry during the award ceremony.
