Violence against women and children by warring groups in Darfur is reaching alarming levels. Extreme violence has been a feature of the civil conflict since it erupted in 2003. However, in the past months, attacks on women and girls, both within and outside camps for the displaced, have soared. The rising rate of violence against women and children is increased by the participation of many different groups in these crimes.

Denial and ignorance of HIV/AIDS are still major problems in post-war Sierra Leone, hindering care and support for people living with the virus."When I tested positive in 2002 and told my family, they'd never heard of HIV/AIDS; they didn't know it existed and they didn't want me in the house, so I had to leave," HIV-positive Ibrahim Kargbo, 41, told IRIN/PlusNews in the capital, Freetown.

The Freedom of Expression Institute is very concerned about the state of freedom of expression and academic freedom at the University of KwaZulu Natal. Free expression and academic freedom are in severe decline at the university. The latest incident causing concern is the matter of Fazel Khan, who is being hauled before a disciplinary committee.

Much information on PRSPs, where available, is provided by groups heavily involved in the process: governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Press releases on PRSP negotiations are typically written in dry, technical language.But are ordinary people aware of the challenges at stake in discussions on dealing with poverty?

Policy-makers state that economic growth is vital to poverty reduction and that trade is critical to growth. But is the relationship that simple? In countries across the world, debates rage as to who loses and who gains as changes in trade policies open or protect national markets. The media can inform people on whether trade reforms can help tackle poverty.