Today is International Women’s Day -- and we’re looking at how women are stepping up in different sectors, despite the many challenges they face. A Rwandan banking executive tells us how women are breaking barriers in the financial sector by building financial safety net for their families. And – U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his third State of the Union address and highlights the importance of defending democracy at home and around the world. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

South Africans weigh in on Russia’s influence across Africa placing the continent at the center of the growing geo-political battle between the Kremlin and the White House. The war in Sudan continues to shatter the lives of millions of people – and humanitarian aid organizations are warning that it could turn out to be the world’s largest hunger crisis unless the fighting stops. U.S. President Joe Biden is set to deliver his election-year State of the Union address -- he is expected to discuss the economy, reproductive rights, immigration, and conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a group of young volunteers is using song and dance to help thousands of displaced children cope with the trauma of war. U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump moved closer Tuesday to a rematch of their 2020 presidential election with victories in party primary elections across the country. And – in our technology report, we explore the possibilities of using Artificial Intelligence to fight corruption in Africa. Tech correspondent Paul Ndiho speaks to Dr. Sombo Muzata. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

Female activists, including three from Africa were honored at the White House for their activism in defense of human and women’s’ rights. Hundreds of Liberian refugees in Ghana's capital Accra have been left homeless after their decades-old camp was abruptly demolished. And-- in our health report- we will look at the dangers of breast ironing – a practice that involves the flattening of a young girl's developing breasts using hot objects. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, in one of the strongest appeals yet from the White House. We get an insight on how the U.S. is countering Islamist extremists and the expanding Russian influence in West Africa. And, an initiative works to provide clean drinking water to Eswatini’s rural communities. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

Kenya and Haiti signed an agreement on Friday on the deployment of 1,000 police officers to lead the Multi-National Security Support Mission the Caribbean nation. Chad's Prime Minister tells VOA he is committed to strengthening the country's institutions as a priority for his new administration. And-in our entertainment segment, Music time in Africa host Heather Maxwell features a multi-award winning South African musician Thandiswa Mazwai. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

We’ll tell you about one woman’s battle to restore a 150-year old African-American cemetery. Survivors of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army rebel group express disappointment after the International Criminal Court decision. And, a young Somali man tackles the difficult job of feeding neglected dogs and cats on the streets of Mogadishu.

All this and much more coming up on today’s Africa 54!

United Nations peacekeepers begin pulling out of war-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo amid accusations that it has been ineffective in protecting civilians from armed groups and militias. Millions of Kenyans are facing skyrocketing living costs due to efforts by government to tame surging public debt. We speak with Irũngũ Houghton Executive Director for Amnesty International Kenya on how the administration is handling the situation. And – In our technology report, an expert tells us what role Artificial Intelligence and Big Data should play in spurring development across Africa. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

The United Nations Environment Assembly is meeting in Kenya to chart solutions to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, bio-diversity loss and pollution. Two people are killed in Guinea unrest linked to a nationwide strike – among their demands, workers are seeking higher wages. And - The World Health Organization says Cardiovascular Diseases are the number one cause of deaths worldwide. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!

ECOWAS says it is lifting sanctions on Niger as it seeks a new strategy to dissuade three junta-led states from withdrawing from the political and economic union. The European Environment Agency says more than 40 percent of used textiles exported from the European Union end up in an African country. And -- it’s Black History Month in the United States. Black artists in Los Angeles share their experiences of growing up in America. All this and much more coming up in today’s Africa 54!