Gendertalk211: Talking feminism in South Sudan

Earlier this month, South Korea held one of its most closely contested presidential elections in recent history. Conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol weaponised a sexist blacklash against feminism and won the race by just over 263,000 votes. Despite the slim margin, South Korean feminists fear the consequences for women will be severe, especially for a country that already has the largest gender pay gap among developed nations. Journalist and author Hawon Jung joined us on Perspective to tell us more.

A new film paints a portrait of the woman known in South Sudan as the "mother of the nation". The film follows Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, who is the widow of revolutionary leader and national hero John Garang de Mabior, in her role as the country's vice president amid a fragile peace deal in the country. The portrait is remarkable for its intimate access as its director is also her daughter, Akuol de Mabior. She joined us for Perspective to tell us more about "No Simple Way Home".

Annette Young meets Haitian-Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist, Mélissa Laveaux, whose latest album celebrates strong women. Also we head to El Salvador which bans abortion in all cases, and where terminating a pregnancy can send a woman to jail for up to eight years. Plus why the Japanese sushi chef has traditionally been a man and the women who are working hard to change that.

A desperate lack of funding has forced the World Food Programme to suspend some food aid in South Sudan just as the country needs it most. We speak to the WFP's acting country director, Adeyinka Badejo. Also, survivors of one of the most brutal extremist attacks in Burkina Faso say that government forces left them helpless. At least 79 people were killed in the massacre in Seytenga on Saturday. And there are calls for an extension of MINUSMA's mission in Mali after this week's UN Security Council briefing.

South Sudan's independence in 2011 was supposed to bring hope for a better future after decades of conflict. Instead, the world's youngest nation descended into civil war, with violence continuing despite a 2018 peace deal. As hope in the government's ability to end the conflict dwindles, civil society is stepping in with grassroots peacebuilding efforts. Thomas Sametin co-directed the documentary "For the Sake of Peace", which profiles two of these peacebuilders. He joined us on Perspective to tell us more.

We report on a growing and dangerous divide between feminism and transgender rights. Annette Young talks to Dr Finn Mackay, the British sociologist and campaigner who believes that it is possible to back both women's and trans rights. Also #MeToo in the world of athletics where we meet one former French athlete who's shining a spotlight on cases of sexual abuse and violence.

On World Humanitarian Day, we talk to the UN's coordinator for aid work in South Sudan about the perils of humanitarian work there. Five aid workers have been killed in the country since the beginning of the year.

South Sudanese model Majda John Peter has been crowned the winner of the world's most prestigious modelling competition, as the event held by global agency Elite returned on Tuesday.

Two thirds of South Sudan's population may face severe food shortages during next year's April-to-July lean season due to floods, drought and conflict, United Nations agencies said on Thursday (November 3). Rachel Judah reports.

The leader of the Catholic Church travels to Juba along with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the moderator of the Church of Scotland. The three leaders are hoping to push for peace amid continued fighting.

In the first papal visit to South Sudan, Pope Francis is highlighting the plight of women in the young nation who face the world's highest material mortality rate and are subject to widespread sexual violence.

France 24 Videos Thu, 4 May 2023 at 11:19 am GMT+1 Ione Gamble was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when she was 19, right around the time when a new wave of internet-driven "girlboss" feminism took off. Managing a chronic illness opened her eyes to the movement's blind spots, and led her to reconsider her own relationship with femininity and empowerment.