World Press Freedom Day

On the 3rd of May, the world reunites to reflect on the importance of press freedom. International organizations, including Broken Chalk, urge media officers and regular citizens to remember journalists who lost their lives, got arrested, or are forced to live under fear because they chose to follow the truth. Moreover, we want the day to act as a reminder of the dangers of restraints and censorship. In 2024, 361 journalists were arrestedi. However, threats to freedom of the press are not confined to arrest and detention; they include harassment, intimidation, monitoring of communications, and economic, and political pressure.

Freedom of speech does not impact only journalists and media personnel, but everyone else partaking in information seeking. It affects how global citizens seek, speak, and receive sources.

At Broken Chalk, we recognize how freedom of the press impacts academic freedom and viceversa. Both are pedestals for societies and communities where knowledge is shared and pursued without restrictions, fear, and limits. Scholars and journalists must be able to explore, critique, examine, and propagate topics and articles without restraints. Academic and journalistic voices being silenced or lowered entail a loss in reasoning, innovation, and democracy.

 

Broken Chalk wants to express its solidarity with US news outlets, journalists, scholars, and students who are experiencing damaging consequences due to their stances which question President Trump’s notions. Broken Chalk also conveys its solidarity to all those news outlets, journalists, scholars, and students who live and work in countries all around the world where their work puts them in danger and whose names and acts of bravery are often overlooked.

Photo by Larry Alger on Unsplash

ICC Seeks Arrest Warrants for Taliban Leaders as Global Advocacy Grows

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step in the fight for Afghan women’s rights, seeking arrest warrants for the Taliban’s supreme leader and Afghanistan’s chief justice on charges of crimes against humanity. This unprecedented move recognises the Taliban’s systemic oppression of women and girls as a grave international crime, offering a rare moment of validation for Afghan activists who have long fought against their erasure. Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghan women have faced sweeping restrictions affecting every aspect of their lives—from education and employment to healthcare, public spaces, and access to justice. 1. A newly released interactive graphic sheds light on their reality, offering a harrowing glimpse into life under the Taliban’s gender segregation. Through the lens of a burqa, the visual tool provides a comprehensive overview of Talibanimposed restrictions, linking directly to the United States Institute Of Peace’s extensive documentation of their rules and orders. In response to the deepening oppression, Guardian Live will host a special panel discussion on March 26, featuring renowned journalist Emma Graham-Harrison, Afghan journalist and activist Zahra Joya, bestselling author Elif Shafak, and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig. The discussion will explore the historical and ongoing silencing of women, the resilience of those resisting oppression, and the urgent need for gender apartheid to be officially recognised as an international crime. The Guardian Live will donate 50% of the event proceeds to Rukhshana Media, an Afghan women’s media organisation that reports on and for Afghan women, amplifies their voices, and campaigns for their rights on the global stage. As Afghan women continue to be pushed into invisibility and silence, this moment demands international action. Will the world finally listen? *For more information about the Guardian Live event, please click on the link below. https://www.theguardian.com/guardian-live-events/2025/jan/08/the-silencing-of-women-withsandi-toksvig-elif-shafak-and-zahra-joya  

To download this as a PDF, click here

Image by ©Leticia Cox

International Mothers Earth Day press release

On April 22, the world comes together to celebrate International Mother Earth Day, recognising our shared responsibility to protect the planet and live in harmony with nature. For Broken Chalk, this day serves as a crucial reminder that access to education is essential to building environmentally conscious, resilient, and sustainable communities.

The right to quality education, enshrined in Article 1 of Protocol No. 2 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Goal 4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, extends far beyond the classroom. It equips individuals with the knowledge, critical thinking, and civic awareness needed to face the realities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Without inclusive and equitable access to education especially in vulnerable and marginalised communities meaningful and effective climate action remains out of reach.

From understanding the science of climate change to engaging in environmental policymaking, Broken Chalk believes that education is one of the most powerful tools in empowering individuals to contribute to a more sustainable future especially in an era where misinformation undermines genuine climate action. Yet today, millions of individuals, most notably children, around the world are denied the access to basic and quality education due to conflict, poverty, political repression, and increasingly, climate-induced disasters.

Rising sea levels, wildfires, droughts, and displacement not only destroy homes but also disrupt schooling threatening the futures of entire generations, more so with marginalised communities that have fewer resources. Such communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis are often those most excluded from education systems. This inequality perpetuates a vicious cycle of disempowerment and environmental vulnerability. Environmental justice and educational justice are deeply interconnected.

Due to this, Broken Chalk endorses global efforts made that integrate climate education and environmental literacy into all levels of learning. We advocate for the inclusion of sustainability principles in national curricula, calling for urgent action to safeguard educational institutions and academic freedom in the face of environmental and political crises.

As we mark International Mother Earth Day, Broken Chalk urges governments, institutions, and civil society to recognise that protecting the planet requires protecting education. Ensuring that every child can access a quality education that includes climate awareness is not just a policy choice it is a moral imperative. Climate education allows individuals to better comprehend and utilise effective ways to reduce emissions than many other single solutions. For this reason, to disarm individuals with the learning opportunities to better protect their environment and the world around them is to strip away their ability to develop personal connections to climate change solutions and change their behaviours accordingly throughout their lives.

 

Photo by Ijaz Rafi on Unsplash

Broken Chalk’s Press On Release Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights in South Africa

Leticia Cox / Broken Chalk Media Department

Durban—On this significant day, Broken Chalk joins the global community in celebrating South Africa’s Human Rights Day, which honors the nation’s hard-fought struggles for dignity, equality, and justice.
This year’s theme, “Deepening a Culture of Social Justice and Human Rights,” reminds us of the ongoing commitment to protect fundamental freedoms and dismantle systemic inequalities.
On March 21st 1960, 69 unarmed protesters were brutally killed while demonstrating against apartheid’s oppressive pass laws.

The Sharpeville Massacre has made March 21st an enduring symbol of democratic South Africa’s legacy. This day serves as a sad reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and underscores the ongoing struggle against injustice.
While South Africa has made significant progress since the fall of apartheid, many challenges persist: poverty, gender-based violence, xenophobia, and corruption continue to impede actual impartiality.


Broken Chalk urges collective action to address these issues by:


• Ensuring Access to Quality Education

Education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty and discrimination.
• Protecting Press Freedom and Democracy

Journalists and human rights defenders must be safeguarded from threats and violence.
• Combating Inequality and Discrimination

Women, children, and refugees continue to face structural barriers; policies must actively promote inclusion and justice.
• Strengthening Justice Systems

Law enforcement and judicial processes must ensure fairness, impartiality, and accountability for all.
As we commemorate Human Rights Day, Broken Chalk stands in solidarity with all South Africans working toward a more just and equal society. The fight for human rights is not over—it is a continuous journey that demands active participation from all sectors of society.

Featured image by Leticia Cox

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Broken Chalk Calls for Urgent Global Action to Protect Education in the DRC

Statement by Panashe Mlambo, Department Head of Research and Journalism

Education is every child’s right, yet for millions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it remains a distant dream. Right now, an estimated 7.6 million children are out of school, and shockingly, half of all girls aged 5-17 are unable to attend classes. This is not due to a lack of ambition or willingness to learn but because of deep-rooted challenges poverty, conflict, and chronic underfunding that make education nearly impossible for so many.

The Cost of Conflict: A Generation Left Behind
Across the DRC, schools are not just closing they are being destroyed. Nearly 1,700 schools have been forced to shut their doors due to persistent insecurity, particularly in areas controlled by armed groups. In just the past year, another 540 schools were lost to escalating conflict. Schools should be places of hope and safety, yet at least 160 were looted or burned in a single year, erasing opportunities for thousands of children.
Without access to education, young people become even more vulnerable to recruitment as child soldiers, to forced labour, to trafficking. Many experience the trauma of violence firsthand, leaving deep psychological scars that make learning even harder. The impact is devastating, not just for individual children but for the future of an entire generation.

Hunger, Displacement, and Failing Systems
The crisis extends beyond education. Families already struggling with displacement due to war now face worsening food insecurity. 1.3 million children suffer from severe malnutrition, a crisis that affects their growth, concentration, and ability to thrive in any learning environment. Meanwhile, for those fortunate enough to remain in school, education quality is critically low, with the DRC ranked among the countries where children’s education is at “extreme risk”. Instead of increasing support, the government has cut education funding from 21.6% to 18.4%, further straining an already overwhelmed system.

The World Cannot Stand By
The war in the DRC is not happening in isolation. It is being fueled by external actors—notably Rwanda and Uganda, who have been linked to the armed group M23. Despite Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict, it continues to receive foreign aid from nations like the United States and institutions such as the World Bank. This contradiction is unacceptable.

We call on the international community to condemn Rwanda’s role in the war, halt all military and financial support to aggressor states, and take urgent action to protect the rights of Congolese children. Schools must be safeguarded, funding must be restored, and every child must have the chance to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.
This is not just an education crisis it is a humanitarian emergency. We must act now, before another generation is lost.

Photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash

Press Release: International Day for Education

Children in classroom with food

On the 24th of January, the world celebrates the importance of education for peace and development with the International Day of Education. In light of this celebration, Broken Chalk reiterates the importance of education as a human right, and reaffirms its mission to address human rights violations in the educational field today. 

UNESCO has declared the theme for this year ”Learning for Lasting Peace” and is dedicating this year’s International Day of Education to the crucial role education and teachers play in countering hate speech. Education is a powerful tool that has the potential to influence future societies. If inclusive and of quality, it promotes understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among individuals and communities.

Today, a staggering 250 million children and youth find themselves out of school, while 763 million adults grapple with illiteracy. Access to education is highly unequal, meaning not every child has the same opportunity for development. Broken Chalk deems this situation unacceptable, recognizing that the right to education is being violated on a massive scale.

Broken Chalk reiterates its commitment towards Goal 4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG4), in ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. Considering the theme of International Day of Education 2024, “Learning for Lasting Peace”, Broken Chalk recognises that the worryingly high number of international conflicts in the last year has detrimentally affected the ability of people to access equitable and quality education. Broken Chalk calls for all stakeholders to do their utmost to focus on peaceful resolutions and policies in order to allow for greater educational accessibility and peace for students around the world.

On this International Day of Education, it is essential to recognise the importance of teachers for their role in the journey towards inclusive and equitable education. Regrettably, there is a growing shortage of teachers across the world, significantly impacting educational access and quality. Broken Chalk commits to continuing its practice of publishing “Educational Challenges” articles. Broken Chalk hopes that these articles will bring to light the difficulties teachers and other stakeholders face in their respective countries. By ensuring that the narrative around education development is broadened to include the perspectives and challenges of teachers, Broken Chalk believes that there will be more significant progress towards achieving universal education accessibility, quality and equity.

In addition to its ongoing efforts, Broken Chalk will publish several articles in celebration of the International Day of Education. Broken Chalk will continue to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, address human rights violations in education, and drive action to achieve quality education for all. 

Broken Chalk announces it to the public with due respect.

Signed,

Broken Chalk

Broken Chalk Condemns Escalation in Lebanon, Urges Protection of Children

Panashe ML Mlambo and The Journalism Department.

Broken Chalk Condemns Escalation in Lebanon, Urges Protection of Children. Broken Chalk, an organisation dedicated to improving access to education, is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Lebanon and its devastating impact on children.Thousands of innocent civilians have been displaced, and children are bearing the brunt of the conflict. The recent attack has resulted in the tragic loss of young lives and left countless children traumatised.Broken Chalk emphasises the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and calls upon all parties involved to prioritise the protection of children. The psychological well-being of children is being severely compromised, and the uncertainty surrounding school openings due to the ongoing bombing is causing further distress.Broken Chalk appeals to the international community to take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of Lebanese children. Humanitarian aid must be provided to support displaced families and address the urgent needs of children, including access to education, healthcare, and mental health services.

Research and Journalism Department

Email: research@brokenchalk.org

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Broken Chalk’s Press Release on concerns regarding the proposed amendments to Iraqi personal status law No. 188 of 1959.

Panashe Mlambo and The Journalism Department.

Broken Chalk is deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to the Iraqi Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959 and appeals to the government to safeguard the interests of children. If enacted, these amendments would pose a significant threat to the rights of women and children in Iraq.The proposed changes aim to reinstate religious laws over the current constitutional laws that govern Iraq. A particularly alarming aspect of this proposal is that it would allow for the legal marriage of girls to be 9 years and boys 15 years. Currently, Iraqi law prohibits marriage under the age of 18, ensuring a level of protection for children.The enactment of this proposal would have far-reaching consequences, not only economically and politically but also in terms of education. Every child has the right to education and to be treated as a child. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Iraq is obligated to protect the interests of its children. This proposal represents a serious deviation from Iraq’s commitments under the UN Convention and would likely result in grave human rights violations.Research has consistently shown that child marriages reduce educational opportunities, increase school dropout rates, and restrict the freedom of children. Moreover, this law would likely exacerbate gender-based violence and further diminish accountability for perpetrators who target children.Broken Chalk strongly urges the Iraqi government to safeguard the interests of children and to protect their childhood and freedom by rejecting this harmful proposal.

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Broken Chalk’s Press Release on concerns regarding the proposed amendments to Iraqi personal status law No. 188 of 1959.

Panashe Mlambo and The Journalism Department.

Broken Chalk is deeply concerned about the proposed amendments to the Iraqi Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959 and appeals to the government to safeguard the interests of children. If enacted, these amendments would pose a significant threat to the rights of women and children in Iraq.The proposed changes aim to reinstate religious laws over the current constitutional laws that govern Iraq. A particularly alarming aspect of this proposal is that it would allow for the legal marriage of girls to be 9 years and boys 15 years. Currently, Iraqi law prohibits marriage under the age of 18, ensuring a level of protection for children.The enactment of this proposal would have far-reaching consequences, not only economically and politically but also in terms of education. Every child has the right to education and to be treated as a child. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Iraq is obligated to protect the interests of its children. This proposal represents a serious deviation from Iraq’s commitments under the UN Convention and would likely result in grave human rights violations.Research has consistently shown that child marriages reduce educational opportunities, increase school dropout rates, and restrict the freedom of children. Moreover, this law would likely exacerbate gender-based violence and further diminish accountability for perpetrators who target children.Broken Chalk strongly urges the Iraqi government to safeguard the interests of children and to protect their childhood and freedom by rejecting this harmful proposal.

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Broken Chalk’s Press Release on World Refugee Day 

Mamta Rao, Rieke Lahrsen

Every year on June 20th, the world comes together to commemorate World Refugee Day – a day to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and celebrate their courage, resilience, and contributions to societies around the globe. It is a day marked by various events hosted globally that are organized by or include participation of refugees, government officials and inclusive communities.

This year’s theme is “Hope away from home”, emphasizing the importance of enabling refugees to pursue education, employment and healthy living in their place of refuge. Inclusion stands at the forefront as the most effective way to help refugees not only rebuild their own lives, but also contribute to their new communities and place of safety.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are currently over 100 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and internally displaced persons. These individuals have been uprooted from their homes due to conflict, violence, human rights violations, and increasingly, the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

The journey of a refugee is one marked by unimaginable hardship, loss, and trauma. They have fled their homelands in search of safety, leaving behind everything they once knew and loved. Yet, in the face of such adversity, refugees continue to demonstrate an extraordinary capacity for resilience and hope.

World Refugee Day is an opportunity to honor this resilience and to remind ourselves of our shared responsibility to support and protect those seeking refuge. It is a day to amplify the voices of refugees, to listen to their stories, and to recognize the immense contributions they make to host communities.

Refugees bring with them a wealth of skills, knowledge, and cultural diversity that enriches the societies in which they settle. They are entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and community leaders, whose determination and perseverance inspire us all.

On this World Refugee Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of refugees. Let us advocate for policies that promote their inclusion and integration, and work towards creating a more just and compassionate world where no one is forced to flee their home.

Here are a few ways you can make a difference this June 20th and beyond:

Educate yourself and others: read, listen and learn about the refugee crisis and how it impacted innocent lives worldwide

Support refugee organizations: donate or volunteer your time and energy to help refugees through organizations such as UNHCR, IOM, IRAP or local assistance groups

Advocate in your community: advocate for policy changes through local engagement, support refugee-owned businesses, participate in awareness campaigns or engage with schools to integrate refugee issues into their curricula

Spread positive stories: success stories and positive personal experiences of individuals can highlight the resilience of these strong individuals and fight the negative stereotypes portrayed in the media!

Remember, refugees are not just statistics; they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters seeking a better life and a haven. Their stories remind us of our shared humanity and the power of hope in the face of adversity.

Together, we can build a world where refugees are welcomed, supported, and empowered to rebuild their lives and thrive.

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