Latest news with #DREAMS
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
How sexual violence survivors in South Africa are now collateral damage of Trump's aid cuts
Donald Trump 's decision to slash international aid has had a crippling impact on HIV services – with a lifeline linking rape and sexual violence survivors to support now becoming collateral damage. In Sub-Saharan Africa, girls and young women are more than twice as likely as their male peers to contract HIV, driven in part by an increased risk of facing sexual exploitation. Funding to tackle the virus is often also used to fund gender-based violence services. Take the Networking HIV and AIDS Community of Southern Africa (NACOSA) based in South Africa. NACOSA received 40 per cent of its funding thanks to the DREAMS programme run by the United States Agency for International Development. Standing for 'Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored and Safe', the DREAMS programme provided two million young people in 15 African countries with a wide range of initiatives from the more direct – HIV testing, condoms and medication – to less obvious ways to address viral spread, like mentoring, life skills, financial literacy training and free sanitary products. Although DREAMS was set up as an HIV prevention programme, the close link between sexual violence and the virus meant it ended up providing a crucial link to rape crisis support, regardless of survivors' HIV status. 'Young women are more vulnerable if they are dependent. If they are in poverty [they are] more vulnerable to both gender-based violence and HIV,' explains Sophie Hobbs from NACOSA. Research found some girls were being coerced into sex in exchange for period products. In sessions to help them to understand what abuse and harassment looks like, girls and young women would often tell their mentors about experiences of abuse – and be linked to emergency contraception and counselling services. 'It would have been disclosed to us, 'my stepdad has been doing this for the longest time and I didn't realise it was wrong',' explains Tarryn Lokotsch, chief executive of the Greater Rape Intervention Program (GRIP) in eastern South Africa, which works with NACOSA and received half of its funding via the DREAMS programme. 'We would be able to link them to care at the hospital, test them for any sexually transmitted diseases, link them to care if they needed it. 'So, the prevention programme fed very nicely into the response programme,' she adds. The DREAMS funding supported a network of care rooms in hospitals, police stations and magistrates' courts. Care rooms allow people can report assaults privately, rather than, 'standing in a long queue,' Lokotsch says, and, 'having to report what's happened to you with every other person that might just be coming to get a document certified'. In hospitals, Lokotsch's group provides care packs to help give survivors back a sense of dignity after the ordeal of a forensic examination, which can include having to hand in their underwear as evidence. These packs include toiletries, sanitary products and spare clothes, as well as emergency money to get home safely. 'Basically we are trying to hold the victim's hand from the moment that they report right through to their day in court,' Lokotsch says. GRIP makes sure survivors who test negative for HIV can begin and complete a full course of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) which prevents the virus developing. 'The majority of our rape survivors remain HIV negative only because we've managed to [link them to] PEP medication,' she says. Those testing positive are linked to antiretroviral treatment — care they might otherwise struggle to access. But all that is at risk. 'You just disappeared' 'This month we did have to close down one of our care rooms,' Lokotsch says. With the rest of the network 'not sustainable forever' with more cuts to come if new funding isn't found. 'We still receive phone calls to ask, where are you guys? We relied on you so much and you just disappeared,' she adds. Without these support services, 'people are beginning to get a little bit more reluctant to report [gender-based violence], which is really scary', Lokotsch says. A State Department spokesperson said: '[The US] continues to support lifesaving HIV testing, care and treatment, and prevention of mother to child transmission services approved by the Secretary of State. This includes lifesaving HIV treatment for adolescent girls and young women,' adding that, 'ensuring we have the right mix of programmes to support US national security and other core national interests of the United States requires an agile approach. We will continue to make changes as needed.' Lokotsch herself is a survivor of sexual violence. After being attacked while on a run, she didn't know where to go, and sought care at a private hospital which wasn't set up to conduct forensic examinations. 'I had people taking photos of me and someone saying they need to do a medical forensic examination, and people are touching you everywhere. It's the most uncomfortable thing in the world and no one is telling you why they are taking photos or what they are doing,' she recalls. That experience eventually led her to GRIP. Years later, she took over running the service where she works to stop others having the same trauma-compounding experience she had. In South Africa, emergency contraception and PEP are available in public facilities, but people often don't know they are there. 'In theory, post-violence care services are not interrupted [by the US cuts],' says Dr Ntlotleng Mabena, a public health doctor who worked with NACOSA. 'But in practice, we know that survivors need a safe place to go to before they get to that service.' Specialist post-violence centres are also not always accessible to people in rural areas. 'In certain provinces there's only one in the region and probably a three-hour taxi ride. Who's going to want to take a three-hour taxi ride after you've been raped?' Dr Mabena asks. 'I didn't know where I was going' Bongi, a 41-year-old mother of five, met Lokotsch's team in a police station after fleeing a violent relationship. 'I stayed there being violated,' she explains to The Independent, because, 'the person who violated me is the one who gave me food'. She had three kids with him by the time the violence started. 'I didn't know where I was going. I didn't have enough money. I went to the police station,' she says of the day she left with her younger children, after her partner threatened to burn down their house with her inside. For two nights they slept at the police station, and then on the floor of a garage, without being offered help. It wasn't until a police officer finally connected her to GRIP that she was offered comprehensive medical checks, and afterwards, a place in a shelter. Bongi is HIV positive, but had been on and off treatment for years and did not want to reveal her status over fears it would only lead to discrimination. 'I lied because I didn't get help in the police station,' she said, so when she met the GRIP team she thought: 'Here are some ladies who want to help me. If I maybe speak about my status, I'm not going to get the help that I need.' Once she realised they would help her no matter what, she resolved to, 'see what I can do so I can get back on medication'. Dr Isolde Birdthistle at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who has carried out evaluations of DREAMS in a number of places, say the benefits included the social support and empowerment of girls, and in some cases changes in sexual behaviours such as condom use. The biggest effect was on participants knowing their HIV status, Birdthistle explains, which is the first step to link them to treatment or prevention. Girls also reported feeling less scared to test for HIV and more supported if they had experienced violence, Birdthistle says. While the loss of 'safe spaces' in areas where there are often no formal refuges for victims of violence is also a 'big loss,' she adds. For Lokotsch, it is the speed of the change in the wake of Trump's aid cuts that is most jarring. 'I do understand the perspective that the South African HIV crisis and [gender-based violence] crisis is not necessarily America's problem,' she says. 'But America did choose at the start of this to lead the fight against HIV. They took that step to lead the fight internationally. 'And then to pull out and decide that they don't want to lead that fight anymore... We could have got some warning.'
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Time travelling now?': Fans voice concern for former Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns after bizarre post referencing 1994 Pulp Fiction premiere
Daniel Johns has seemingly alluded to time-travelling in his latest social media post, leaving fans concerned and confused. The former Silverchair frontman, 46, took to Instagram on Monday to share a photo of himself draped in a pink paisley robe jacket, sitting against a plush green velvet backdrop. With his striking purple-and-blue hair and a knowing stare into the camera, Johns also showed off his neck tattoo that reads "DREAMS" a nod to his musical project with Luke Steele from Empire of the Sun, as well as a rose inked on his left hand. "Just got back from Cannes, the 1994 Pulp Fiction premiere was incredible- I always wanted to see it on the big screen!" he wrote. "Great job @tarantinouniverse and cast @johntravolta @samuelljackson #brucewilliss @umathurman / heading to a rave next week!" While the post quickly amassed nearly 16,800 likes (at time of writing), its strange caption raised eyebrows. "Time travelling now?" one fan asked, while another wrote: "1994DanielJohns is that you?" Another fan noted this isn't the first time Johns has referenced time travel, pointing to an earlier post marking his birthday on April 22, where he wrote: "I have to go back in time to finalise something and as a result I won't be on socials… All is love xx." Others saw deeper symbolism in his reference to 1994- the year Silverchair exploded into fame after their breakthrough single 'Tomorrow' hit number one on the ARIA charts. Originally named Innocent Criminals, the band was formed in Newcastle in 1992 by Johns and his childhood friends Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou. Rebranded as Silverchair in 1995, the trio would go on to become one of the country's most successful rock acts, selling more than 10 million albums and winning a record 21 ARIA Awards from 49 nominations. But by May 2011, the band announced they were going into "indefinite hibernation", citing a "lack of spark" between members. In 2023, Ben and Chris released a memoir titled 'Love & Pain: The epic times and crooked lines of life inside and outside Silverchair', detailing the rise and fall of the band and their complicated relationship with Johns. The book was supported by a two-part episode of Australian Story, which aired on ABC, but Johns was notably absent from the special and later claimed he was denied a chance to preview the memoir despite being asked to approve several of his songs for use. "I was told again that Ben and Chris would not give me a copy to read. That's why the iView use was denied," Johns claimed in a statement at the time. "I have never sought to block their book, I merely asked to receive a copy in advance to fact check it. "I was concerned about my personal health records being discussed, I don't think that's unreasonable." Since Silverchair's disbandment, Johns has launched a solo career with two albums, TALK (2015) and FutureNever (2022). He has been open about his struggles with anxiety, addiction, anorexia, and arthritis, particularly in his 2021 Spotify podcast, "Who Is Daniel Johns?'. In the series, he spoke about his five-year marriage to Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia from 2003-2008, describing it as "the best marriage ever." In a notable episode, Johns famously stated, "I wouldn't even get Silverchair back together for a million dollars with a gun to my head." More recently, he described himself as "a truly independent artist" who loves "making everything on my own terms". It's understood that Johns still lives in Newcastle. If you or anyone you know needs help: Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 Lifeline – 13 11 14 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pindi's water demand outpaces supply
Six out of nine water filtration plants are in disrepair in Karachi city, where only 150 cylinders of chlorine are available each month. PHOTO: PIXABAY With an expansion in population, groundwater depletion and migration of people to the garrison city, Rawalpindi faces water availability challenges and urgently requires a multi-faceted approach. These approaches include expanding water storage capacity through dams and reservoirs, improving water distribution networks, promoting water conservation measures, and addressing issues like tanker mafia and infrastructure maintenance. Recognising these challenges, the city's civic agencies have been taking measures for the construction of new dams like Chahan and Daducha dams, and side by side steps for maintaining the storage capacity of existing Rawal and Khanpur dams. Managing Director (MD) of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Muhammad Saleem Ashraf says the Garrison City needs a total water supply of around 51 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) in winter, 30.5 MGD of which is through 480 tube-wells, 10 MGD from the Rawal Dam and 6 MGD from the Khanpur Dam. The city has to face a shortfall of around 7 MGD in winter, which rises to around 19 MGD during summer, with the daily water demand reaching over 70 MGD, he added. Both the cantonments (Rawalpindi and Chaklala) also receive some 12 MGD water from the Rawal Dam, the WASA MD said. For overcoming the water shortage, Saleem says work is already underway on the Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS-I) project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project's overall scope involved the treatment and transportation of 14.5 MGD water from Chahan Dam to Rawalpindi city, besides the improvement and replacement of the city's existing water supply system, he added. Moreover, he said, the rehabilitation and upgradation of Rawal Lake filtration plants were also in process to supply an additional 5 MGD of water to the Garrison City. Similarly, he said, two new heavy pumps are being installed at the Khanpur Dam to increase water supply to 8 MGD. The project to provide a 24/7 water supply to three union councils of Khayaban-e-Sir Syed was also underway." This project (DREAMS) of public importance will be completed in two years instead of the stipulated period of three years," he added. The MD further said that work on the Chahan Dam treatment plant had been kicked off, which was expected to provide 10 MGD of water to Rawalpindi city. He said the feasibility of setting up the Daducha Dam had been included in the Punjab Annual Development Plan, which would hopefully provide 30.5 MGD water to meet the future needs of the city. As regards water losses, he said that water leakage and theft from the distribution network were major sources of water loss and needed to be addressed. He said the Punjab Government had banned the establishment of new car washing stations across the province. In compliance with the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Punjab Environmental Agency (EPA) had imposed a ban on non-essential use of underground water and violators, including car wash/service stations, would have to face heavy fines, he warned. Chief Executive Officer of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Syed Ali Rizvi says the RCB provides some 1.50 MGD water to its residents from 55 tube wells, 11.28 MGD from the Khanpur Dam and 0.03 MGD from the Rawal Dam. The RCB's distribution network includes eight overhead reservoirs and 34 underground tanks, he says and adds the Board provides clean drinking water to the people through 52 filtration plants. MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmed says the construction of modern underground tanks having a capacity to store 1 MGD water has entered the final stage. The project aims to provide a lasting solution to the longstanding water shortage in local communities of RCB areas, ensuring improved supply and overcoming the seasonal scarcity, especially during the summer months. He says every year, with the onset of summer, the residents of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonments face severe water shortages due to the lack of storage facilities, but allocated funds are now being prioritised for the timely completion of the vital projects. The construction of underground tanks at Bhata Chowk, with a storage capacity of 200,000 gallons per day, and Gawalmandi, with a capacity of 100,000 gallons per day, are rapidly progressing, the MNA adds. Additionally, he adds, projects are underway at Naseerabad, Barf Khana Chowk, Ghazi Abad, Afshan Colony, Tench Bhatta, Tahli Mohri, and Wards 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Chaklala Cantonment, each designed to store 50,000 gallons daily.
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi faces acute water crisis
As the summer begins and heatwave persists, residents of Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas are worried about bearing another spell of water scarcity as the mushroom growth of housing societies and rising population continue to exert extra pressure on this precious resource. Despite repeated claims of the civic agencies' masters to ensure a smooth water supply, water shortage and water rationing continue to leave consumers at the mercy of the growing tanker mafia. Name any area of the city, including Shah Nazar, Dhok Chiragh Din, Dhok Hassu, Ratta Amral, Dhok Ratta, Pir Wadhai, and one finds residents complaining of water scarcity or water rationing, with the supply and demand gap widening during summer. No matter that civic agencies remain on their toes during the peak season to meet the water needs of residents, they also face unavoidable challenges like water availability, construction of new reservoirs and ample funding. The Managing Director (MD) of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, says the Garrison city needs a total water supply of around 51 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) in winter, which is met through 480 tube-wells, Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam. But, during summer, this demand rises to 70 MGD, so if the shortfall is around 7 MGD in winter, it rises to around 19 MGD in summer, he adds. Saleem further says it is understood that water demand increases during summer, and all resources are employed to ensure that consumers' problems are addressed. In this regard, he mentioned ongoing work on a project "Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS-I)" project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). "The project's overall scope involves treatment and transportation of 14.5 MGD water from Chahan Dam to Rawalpindi city, besides improvement and replacement of the city's existing water supply system," he said. Saleem also referred to the rehabilitation and up-gradation of Rawal Lake filtration plants to supply an additional five MGD of water to the Garrison City. "Similarly, two new heavy pumps are being installed at Khanpur Dam to increase water supply to eight MGD and provide a 24/7 water supply to consumers." He said the DREAMS project will be completed in two years instead of the stipulated period of three years, while work on Chahan Dam treatment plant has also been kicked off and is expected to provide 10 MGD of water to residents. "Moreover, the feasibility study for Dadhocha Dam has been included in the Punjab Annual Development Plan and will hopefully provide 30.5 MGD to Pindi residents." However, he was sceptical of consumers' behaviour who least bother about water conservation practices. Therefore, the Punjab government had banned the setting up of new car washing stations across the province. In compliance with the orders of the LHC, the Punjab EPA had imposed a ban on non-essential use of underground water and violators would be penalised accordingly.
Technical.ly
28-04-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Startups often struggle with grant applications. A new group wants to change that.
A new coalition wants to make sure Pittsburgh companies don't leave federal money on the table. The Pittsburgh Technology Council and Keystone Space Collaborative have teamed up to launch the Data, Robotics, Energy, AI, Manufacturing and Security (DREAMS) Coalition, an initiative designed to help local companies in that industry cluster better apply for federal grant funding. The application to be considered for the coalition, announced last week, is open to companies at all stages to apply — and it comes at just the right time. Local companies need help applying for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding, especially in the current 'uncertain federal funding environment,' said Justine Kasznica, founder and board chair of Keystone Space Collaborative. Bringing businesses together in a coworking space and connecting them with government agencies and investment stakeholders provides the foundation to score more grants. 'There [are] a number of these companies that really need support,' Kasznica said, 'identifying what opportunities exist and then sitting down and figuring out what they need to do to maximize their chances of getting critical early-stage [research and development] dollars.' From startups that are first-time applicants to seasoned businesses, the DREAMS coalition is seeking companies with expertise in data, robotics, energy, AI, manufacturing and security that can apply their skills to solve problems identified by federal agencies. Along with offering federal funding assistance, the coalition will provide a collaborative workspace in Bakery Square and facilitate connections to industry stakeholders and investors to propel advanced technology startups in aerospace, robotics, AI and manufacturing. 'If you take the assets we have in this region, both historical and recent, there's not one industry that's going to take us to the next iteration of Pittsburgh,' Audrey Russo, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, told 'The diversity of the [coalition's] industries are only going to make us stronger.' As applications roll in, companies could begin receiving support at the coalition's coworking space as early as next month, according to Kasznica and Russo. The coalition is currently in a six-month pilot phase, but if it proves successful, the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Keystone Space Collaborative plan to extend the initiative and establish a more permanent location. 'We're calling it a pilot because we want to test out this broader industry cluster,' Kasznica said. 'How we evaluate ourselves is based on how many new projects and funding dollars we can bring to new technologies or existing companies.' Instead of supplying access to cash like accelerators and incubators, the coalition relies on the importance of building connections and providing hands-on guidance through the grant application process. A tough fed funding landscape still rife with opportunities Despite the uncertain federal funding landscape, Russo and Kasznica both said they were optimistic about local companies securing grants moving forward. Since the creation of the SBIR and STTR programs, Pittsburgh companies have received over $400 million for innovation research and new technology development across over 1,000 grant awards. The early-stage, non-dilutive funding has allowed Pittsburgh to compete with larger cities that have more private capital and has helped numerous local startups get off the ground. The coalition will specifically target agencies in aerospace and defense, Kasznica said, which aligns with the type of funding Pittsburgh companies have received to date. A majority of the grants to Pittsburgh companies have come from the Department of Defense, with the other top agencies being the Department of Health and Human Services, NASA, the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. 'We're anticipating even more opportunities, in some cases, particularly for the future technology development that we're looking at doing in this region, which is advanced manufacturing, robotics and AI,' Kasznica said. 'There's a real appetite for that, even with this administration.' Through DREAMS, Kasznica and Russo want to keep those dollars flowing into the region. What early-stage companies often get wrong when applying for grants, according to Kasznica, is approaching the process with a product-first mindset and trying to pitch a product they've already built. The coalition aims to shift this approach early on by encouraging companies to first understand the needs of potential customers and then apply their expertise in robotics, manufacturing, or AI to solve those specific problems. 'It's really important to have good processes intact and people around you that have experience doing this kind of work,' Russo said, 'so that you can understand what you're able to leverage and what you need to make it happen.' Plus, a free coworking space to spread knowledge even further With a $60,000 grant from the Benedum Foundation, the coalition is leasing space at Spaces Bakery Square, utilizing the coworking hub with 11 rooms, including private offices and flexible conference and working areas that could accommodate up to 30 people. Staff from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Keystone Space Collaborative and innovation research firm Parallax will all be onsite to work with participating companies. Through the no-cost coworking space, companies will gain access to mentorship and open office hours with a Parallax team member who specializes in connecting universities, businesses and government. Also, eligible members will be able to access Keystone Innovation Zone tax credits, further incentivizing growth. Additional programming could include workshops on scaling innovation and networking events designed to build a strong, connected entrepreneurial ecosystem, according to a recent press release. 'We need a better concierge system, which is what we're trying to set up here with this coalition,' Kasznica said. 'This isn't a traditional accelerator … we're not giving money out, but we're providing a place to come and participate, meet potential partners and funders.'
