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African women's rights activist is visiting scholar

Sept. 7, 2006

KALAMAZOO--John Akuri, a social worker and lawyer who has crusaded for women's rights in central Africa, especially Cameroon, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Western Michigan University.

Akuri's presentation is the first in WMU's 2006-07 Visiting Scholars and Artists Series. It is open to the public, free of charge and will be held in Room 4010 of the College of Health and Human Services building on WMU's Oakland Drive Campus.

Some traditional practices pertaining to women in Cameroon and other countries of the region infringe on women's health and thus become an issue for children's health and for social and economic development in Central Africa. Akuri is expected to argue for international acceptance of women's health as a fundamental human right.

As the sub-director of personnel management of the Cameroon Ministry of Forests and Wildlife, Akuri works for equal opportunity for women, including equal pay for equal work and maternity leave with compensation. His responsibilities also include eliminating corruption within the ministry. Previously, he served as the regional chief of service in charge of women's rights in the Cameroon Ministry of Women's Affairs.

Akuri has lectured frequently and conducted workshops on rights of women, written legal briefs in support of women that influenced court decisions, and counseled women experiencing oppression. In addition to his public presentation, he will be meeting with faculty and students during his 10-day visit to WMU, Sept. 11-22.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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