Myth or Medicine? Why Men Suckling Women’s Breasts Won’t Prevent Breast Cancer

 It’s one of those myths that just won’t go away. You’ve probably seen the claim circulating on social media or heard it whispered in a barbershop — that men suckling women’s breasts can somehow prevent breast cancer.

Now, the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has come out to set the record straight: there’s absolutely no scientific evidence to support this idea.

During a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event at the Uganda Media Center, Dr. Naghib Bogere, an oncologist at UCI, addressed the growing misinformation head-on. “We know that breastfeeding is one of the proven ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer,” he said. “The longer a woman breastfeeds, the more her breast cells mature, making them less likely to develop cancer. But these changes cannot happen if a husband is the one suckling the breasts.”

In other words — men, you can show your support in better ways.

Dr. Bogere explained that such myths may seem harmless, but they can actually prevent women from taking meaningful steps to protect their health. “Misinformation like this gives people false hope,” he warned. “It distracts from real prevention — like early screening and regular check-ups.”

He encouraged men to be allies in the fight against breast cancer by reminding their partners to examine their breasts monthly, watching out for any unusual lumps, pain, or discharge, and seeking medical help right away. “When breast cancer is detected early, up to 90% of cases can be successfully treated,” Dr. Bogere noted.

And here’s something many people don’t realize: men can get breast cancer too.
According to UCI data, about one in every 25 breast cancer patients in Uganda is male. “Men also have breast tissue and should not ignore changes in their chests,” Dr. Bogere said.

Throughout October, the Uganda Cancer Institute will hold free breast cancer screening camps and awareness drives across the country — an effort to promote early detection and counter the flood of misinformation that often circulates during awareness campaigns.

Dr. Jackson Orem, the Executive Director of UCI, emphasized that breast cancer remains the leading cancer among women in Uganda, with over 4,000 new cases each year. “Many of these women come to us too late,” he said. “We want to change that — and part of the solution is making sure the right information reaches the public.”

So, the next time you hear someone say men suckling women’s breasts prevents cancer, you’ll know the truth — it doesn’t. What really saves lives is knowledge, early screening, and timely treatment.

DRC Rolls Out Digital "E-trace" Platform

At the African Mining Week 1-3 October, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took a significant step toward transforming its vast mineral sector, launching a digital platform designed to bring unprecedented transparency to its critical supply chains. 

The state-owned mineral certification agency, the Centre d’Expertise, d’Evaluation et de Certification (CEEC), announced the new platform, titled "E-trace," which promises to track minerals from the moment they are mined until they are exported.

Asene Didier Musiripu, Director and South Africa Representative, CEEC, said the tool helps mining projects align with national and international sustainability norms. “One of the major aims is to empower and formalize artisanal and small mining operations, ensuring they abide to the Mining Code and responsible practices,” he said.

Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines, DRC speaking at the event, acknowledged that to secure capital, the country must reform its image and its practices. "If you want investment FDI to flow in the country, we've got to make sure we demonstrate good governance," he said.

This initiative is a direct response to longstanding global concerns over the origin of minerals from the region. The stated goals of E-trace are to ensure responsible sourcing, curb illegal mining, and improve the contribution of mineral resources to the national economy. 

CEEC has also over the past two years commissioned an ultra-modern and chemical lab in Musompo to analyze mineral substances and trading through data capture across the mining value chain. CEEC operates six subsidiaries across the DRC’s mining value chain, ensuring certification in gold, diamond, copper, cobalt, colored stones and rare earths.

Kabamba said the sector is a massive driver of the nation's economy and social fabric. "The mining sector is a very big contributor to DRC economy," he stated, noting that it directly employs over 100,000 people.

He emphasized the profound ripple effect of this employment, explaining that in an African context, each job supports a large extended family. "You can easily multiply every worker in the mining sector by 15 or 20," he said, illustrating the immense social impact of the industry. Beyond jobs, the sector provides critical revenue to the national treasury through direct and indirect taxes and royalties.

The benefits are also designed to reach the local level directly. The DRC's mining law mandates that at least 0.3% of a mining project's annual turnover must be allocated to community development projects. Furthermore, a portion of royalties from every mineral sale also trickles down to local communities, making the health of the sector vital for grassroots development.

The DRC is also investing in AI technology to maximize and simplify mineral exploration and production. “We want to use advanced technology to unlock lithium potential. We are also second to Chile in copper production and we want to be first,” added Kabamba.

The government is also focused on shifting its economic model away from simply exporting raw materials. The minister described the current system as an "extractive model" where semi-finished products are shipped abroad. "By doing so, we're exporting our jobs, we're exporting our profits," he stated. The new vision is for "local beneficiation," or local value addition, to ensure more economic benefits remain within the DRC.

To facilitate this, the government is creating Special Economic Zones with favorable tax regimes and "one-stop shop" facilities to make it more competitive and secure for investors to process minerals locally.

The opportunities for new investment are immense. The minister revealed that less than 10% of the DRC's mineral endowment is currently under exploration or being exploited, meaning "over 90% is out there brand new... as virgin as the first day of creation". These opportunities exist not only in "green field exploration" but also in injecting new capital into existing assets that may be in financial distress.

Moses Engadu, Secretary General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), urged African nations to embrace collective mineral diplomacy for the continent to capture greater benefits from its resources.

He highlighted the need to accelerate mineral beneficiation by developing local processing and refining facilities which would secure jobs, retain wealth, increase tax revenues and strengthen local expertise.

Engadu called for the adoption of digital traceability and tokenization technologies to combat illegal mining and resource mismanagement. “We launched the Madini tokenization initiative to give every African mineral a secure digital twin, ensuring transparency in origin, value, and custody,” he said.

FfD4 Falls Short on Feminist Financing Goals, But Global South Advocates Push Back

The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), held in Seville, Spain, has been sharply criticized for failing to deliver on gender equality and the feminist agenda. 

Feminist leaders and civil society actors say the meeting fell far short of reforming the international financial architecture and missed the opportunity to address key challenges impeding progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At a parallel session hosted by SHE & Rights—Sexual Health with Equity & Rights—advocates emphasized how the outcomes of FfD4 did little to influence decisions on taxation, debt relief, trade, aid, and public financing, all of which disproportionately affect women, girls, young people, and gender-diverse groups.

“FfD4 failed to restructure the global economy and financial systems to serve all equitably. Women and girls were viewed as economic tools rather than as individuals with fundamental rights,” said Shobha Shukla, SHE & Rights Coordinator. “There was no genuine commitment to addressing systemic gender injustices, labour rights, or violence in workplaces.”

Shobha will be the only lead discussant for SDG 3 at the upcoming UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025), where these themes will continue to take centre stage.

The SHE & Rights session, “Did FfD4 Deliver on Gender Equality and the Feminist Agenda?”, was convened ahead of both HLPF 2025 and the 13th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025). 

It was co-hosted by organizations including the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025), IPPF, ARROW, WGNRR, and the Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media), among others.

The second edition of the SHE & Rights Media Awards was also launched during the session. Journalists covering feminist issues in Africa and the Asia Pacific are encouraged to apply (www.bit.ly/sheandrights2025). First prize winners will attend ICFP 2025 in Colombia.

Despite these ongoing efforts, participants expressed deep frustration with FfD4. Many argued that the final outcome document represented a step backward compared to the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (2015), the Doha Declaration (2008), and even the original Monterrey Consensus (2002). 

“It compromised on long-standing global commitments, including ICPD 1994 and the Beijing Platform for Action,” said Sai Jyothirmai Racherla of ARROW.

For Mabel Bianco, a physician-activist and founder of FEIM (Argentina), the conference’s failure was personal. “The so-called compromise text doesn’t even mention sexual and reproductive health. Without these rights, how can we achieve the SDGs?” she asked.

Worse still, participants revealed that the FfD4 outcome document had been finalized weeks before the event even began. “The negotiation process was opaque, exclusionary, and driven by Global North countries that actively blocked progress on debt relief, aid architecture, and gender equality,” said Lidy Nacpil of the Asian People’s Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD).

Civil society organizations also faced serious restrictions in Seville. “From surveillance and censorship to being physically segregated from government delegates, the shrinking space for civil society at FfD4 mirrored global power disparities,” said Zainab Shumail of the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD). Even handheld fans with slogans like “Debt Kills Development” were confiscated.

Despite this, speakers emphasized that the feminist movement remains undeterred. “We didn’t lose. We only lose if we stop fighting,” said Bianco.

Several participants highlighted the disconnect between stated commitments to peace and rising military spending. “During FfD4, NATO nations pledged to increase defense budgets by 5%, even as they refused to endorse debt cancellation for the Global South,” said Swetha Sridhar of Fos Feminista. “These decisions pull funding away from human rights, health, and gender equality.”

Activists underscored the urgent need to reform global financial governance, not just in terms of policy but power. “Debt justice, climate justice, and gender justice are inseparable. The Global North owes reparations. Feminist financing is not charity—it’s justice,” said Racherla.

The road ahead is clear, if steep. “We will keep pushing for a decolonial, intersectional, and people-centered economic model—one that values care, redistribution, and accountability,” concluded Racherla. “True financing for development must guarantee flexible, inclusive, and equitable funding. Anything less fails us all.”

Foreign Investment in Developing Countries Hits Lowest Level Since 2005

Foreign direct investment (FDI), one of the most powerful engines of growth for developing countries, has slowed dramatically — dropping to levels not seen since 2005, according to new World Bank research. In 2023, developing economies attracted just $435 billion in FDI, while wealthier countries also saw sharp declines. 

The report warns that rising trade and investment barriers are choking the flow of capital exactly when it's most needed to fund development, create jobs, and raise living standards.

“It’s not a coincidence that FDI is plumbing new lows while public debt is soaring,” said Indermit Gill, the World Bank’s Chief Economist. “Private investment has to drive growth now—but governments are busy putting up barriers when they should be pulling them down.”

The World Bank’s new analysis comes ahead of the Financing for Development conference in Seville, Spain, where global leaders will discuss how to fund development goals in a world struggling with slow growth and shrinking aid budgets. Alarmingly, half of all FDI-related policy moves in developing countries so far this year have been restrictive — the highest share since 2010.

FDI is especially critical for developing nations because of its long-term growth benefits. The World Bank’s research shows that a 10% rise in FDI can boost GDP by 0.3% over three years, and even more — up to 0.8% — in countries with stronger institutions, better human capital, and more open economies. But the benefits aren’t evenly spread: 10 countries, including China, Brazil, and India, captured two-thirds of all FDI to developing economies over the past decade. The poorest countries received just 2%.

The report calls for urgent action. First, countries need to attract more FDI by improving their investment climate and lifting restrictions. Second, they should amplify FDI’s benefits by investing in human capital, trade integration, and women’s participation in the workforce. Third, stronger global cooperation is vital to steer investment where it’s most needed, especially as geopolitical tensions rise.

“The sharp drop in FDI should sound alarm bells,” said M. Ayhan Kose, the World Bank’s Deputy Chief Economist. “Reversing this slowdown is essential for growth, job creation, and achieving global development goals.”

Gender Gap Narrows at Fastest Pace Since Pandemic – But Full Equality Still 123 Years Away

 The world is inching closer to gender equality—but at a pace that means true parity is still more than a century away.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, released today in Geneva, the global gender gap has closed to 68.8%, marking the strongest annual improvement since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, at the current rate of progress, it will take 123 years to fully close the gap.

Iceland remains the world’s most gender-equal country for the 16th consecutive year, followed by Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. These top-performing economies have all closed more than 80% of their gender gaps.

Yet, the report also lays bare persistent inequalities, particularly in economic participation and political empowerment—the latter still the largest barrier, with only 22.9% of the global gap closed. Women continue to outnumber men in higher education, but just 28.8% make it to senior leadership positions, revealing a deep underutilization of talent that’s hampering innovation, resilience, and growth.

“At a time of economic uncertainty and technological transformation, achieving gender parity is not just a moral imperative—it’s an economic one,” said Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum. “Countries that invest in closing gender gaps are setting themselves up for more sustainable and inclusive growth.”

Regional and Economic Trends

Northern America leads globally with a parity score of 75.8%, showing particularly strong results in economic participation. Europe follows closely at 75.1%, driven by gains in political empowerment. Latin America and the Caribbean recorded the fastest overall progress since 2006, now ranking third globally with 74.5% parity.

In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa ranks sixth with a 68.0% score, but shows promise: women now hold 40.2% of ministerial positions and 37.7% of parliamentary seats across the region. Bangladesh leads in Southern Asia (77.5%) and is the only economy from the region in the global top 50. Meanwhile, the Middle East and North Africa, though lowest-ranked, has more than tripled its political empowerment score since 2006.

Notably, income does not guarantee equality. While high-income countries average 74.3% parity, several low- and middle-income nations—such as Ethiopia, Ecuador, and Bangladesh—have made faster progress than many wealthier economies, proving that focused policy interventions and inclusive growth models can make a difference at any income level.

Progress Still Too Slow

Despite signs of acceleration, parity remains elusive. Political empowerment, although the fastest-improving area, would still take 162 years to close at the current pace. Economic parity would take 135 years, and disparities in leadership continue to widen even as women advance in education.

A key challenge is the failure to translate education into leadership. “Women dominate higher education but remain underrepresented in top management. That’s a structural inefficiency,” said Sue Duke, Global Head of Public Policy at LinkedIn. “With AI transforming the global economy, diverse leadership is more critical than ever.”

LinkedIn data reveals that modern leadership paths are increasingly nonlinear—requiring cross-sector moves, adaptability, and re-entry after career breaks. Yet women are 55% more likely than men to take career breaks, mainly for caregiving, and these breaks can become long-term setbacks in traditional career structures.

A Call to Action

As the global economy adapts to new risks—from technological disruption to trade fragmentation—gender parity must remain central to recovery and reform strategies. The report underscores that when countries prioritize parity, they unlock growth, innovation, and a more resilient future.

“Rapid progress is possible,” the report concludes. “Countries that treat gender parity as a cornerstone of economic strategy—not a side issue—are those positioning themselves for long-term success.”

📘 Read the full Global Gender Gap Report 2025 here: https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2025
📢 Join the conversation using #gendergap25

Kenya and MindHYVE.ai Forge Path Toward Ethical and Inclusive AI Governance

Kenya has taken a significant step in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) governance with the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MindHYVE.ai, DV8 Infosystems, and the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet). 

The agreement was formalized in Nairobi, underscoring a joint commitment to co-develop Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy and position the country as a global leader in responsible, sovereign AI development.

The tripartite partnership brings together unique strengths. MindHYVE.ai, a California-based AI firm, is globally recognized for its pioneering work in agentic artificial general intelligence (AGI)—a paradigm that merges decentralized intelligence, ethical alignment, and national-scale adaptability. 

Its integration partner, DV8 Infosystems, specializes in designing and deploying AI systems for government transformation, built on swarm intelligence and real-world multi-agent orchestration. 

KICTANet, Kenya’s leading think tank on ICT policy, will anchor the initiative with its extensive multi-stakeholder networks and expertise in promoting open, rights-based digital ecosystems.

At the core of the MoU is the co-creation of Kenya’s National AI Strategy for 2025–2030. This strategy will go beyond technical frameworks, embedding ethical, regulatory, and participatory components rooted in local context. 

Together, the partners will contribute to a comprehensive policy that reflects Kenya’s constitutional, cultural, and socio-economic values.

A Joint Policy Task Team may be constituted to coordinate stakeholder engagement and interface with government authorities.

“This is not just a policy document,” said Bill Faruki, Founder and CEO of MindHYVE.ai, during the signing ceremony. “It’s a national protocol for intelligence itself. Kenya is not merely responding to global AI trends—it is positioning to set them. We are honored to help architect cognitive infrastructure that is sovereign by design and exponential by nature.”

Dr. Grace Githaiga, CEO of KICTANet, echoed the importance of the moment: “KICTANet views this MoU as a pivotal moment in our national journey toward responsible AI. We are pleased to align with technical partners who recognize the societal weight of this policy work and the urgency of getting it right.”

The agreement also affirms Kenya’s ambition to lead in Africa’s digital transformation by setting a precedent for homegrown, ethically grounded AI governance. 

With this strategic collaboration, Kenya aims to demonstrate that artificial intelligence can be developed in a way that is not only technologically advanced but also socially inclusive and aligned with national priorities.

UK and US Stereotypes Still See Africa as a Place of Animals and Safaris, Study Finds

Africa continues to be seen more as a place of animals and hardship than of people, progress, or potential — and now, a groundbreaking study has the data to prove it.

A new report titled Stereotypes About Africa in Britain and the United States: A Social-Psychological Study of Their Impact on Engagement with Africa reveals that outdated and negative stereotypes still dominate how many people in the UK and US perceive Africa. The consequences are real — affecting cultural curiosity, economic choices, and the willingness to engage with the continent at all.

Conducted by Africa No Filter in partnership with Dr. Adam Hahn of the University of Bath and researchers from the US and Germany, the study surveyed 1,126 participants across the UK and US to uncover what people really think about Africa. 

It also explored how those thoughts shape engagement — from buying products to exploring cultures. An additional 863 Americans were surveyed to test whether positive storytelling could shift these perceptions. It did.

What Do People in the UK and US Think About Africa?

The findings are stark. When asked to name three things that come to mind when they think about Africa, 57.9% of participants mentioned wildlife or nature — often with words like “dangerous,” “hot,” or even “uninhabitable.” Hardly anyone referenced African people, cities, or innovations. In comparison, thoughts about Europe were linked to modern infrastructure, architecture, culture, and stability.

Africa, in the minds of many, is not a place where people live, work, and innovate — but a distant, wild land of animals and instability. Its society and economy were described using terms like “corruption,” “poverty,” and “dictatorship.” Europe, meanwhile, was considered prosperous, liberal, and globally influential.

“This report shows that Africa still exists as an abstract concept for many — one that is defined more by animals and hardship than by people, progress, or potential,” said Dr. Adam Hahn, the study’s lead researcher and senior lecturer in social psychology at the University of Bath.

Why Stereotypes Matter

These views are more than just uninformed — they directly influence behaviour. The study found that negative thoughts about Africa made people less likely to buy African products or engage with its cultures. While many participants said they found Africa “beautiful,” that didn’t translate into action. Aesthetic appreciation of nature wasn’t enough to inspire economic or cultural interest.

Crucially, people who associated Africa with societal challenges like poverty and conflict — and failed to think about its cultures or tourism opportunities — were the least likely to engage with the continent in any meaningful way. The data suggests that shifting this narrative is essential to unlocking Africa’s global potential.

Positive Stories Can Change Perceptions

The good news? People’s perceptions can change — and storytelling is the key. The study tested whether positive narratives could reshape views. When participants were exposed to stories that emphasized Africa’s cultures, tourism, and innovations, their interest in African products and engagement increased.

“We now have hard data showing that the stories told about Africa — and the ones left untold — have real-world consequences,” said Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter. 

“This research is a wake-up call and a roadmap. It tells us that we must go beyond economic data and media headlines — we must reframe how we talk about Africa to truly unlock its potential and opportunity.”

Rethinking the Narrative

This study adds a critical psychological layer to conversations about Africa’s place in the world. It makes clear that tackling economic inequality or media bias isn't enough — we must also confront and rewrite the deep-rooted perceptions held by the everyday person in the UK or US.

What does this mean in practice? It means showcasing African tech innovators, spotlighting cultural leaders, promoting African-made products, and telling nuanced stories about African societies that go far beyond animals and poverty.

Because until we do, the mental image of Africa will remain outdated — and so too will the world’s engagement with the continent.

The full report is available for download here: https://www.africanofilter.org/stereotypes-about-africa-us-uk-english