标签： Africa

In an unprecedented global movement, nations across the world are implementing stringent age-based restrictions on social media access for minors. Australia has emerged as the pioneering nation, enacting a landmark legislation in November 2024 that effectively bans children under 16 from accessing major platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook since December 10, 2025. This radical approach imposes severe penalties of up to A$49.5 million ($34.3 million) for non-compliant companies.

The Australian model has triggered a domino effect across continents. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on January 20 that the government is considering similar restrictions, though specific age thresholds remain undefined. France’s National Assembly approved legislation on January 26 to ban social media for under-15s, while Denmark is moving to prohibit access for children under 15 with parental exemptions possible from age 13. Malaysia has declared intentions to implement bans for users under 16 starting 2026.

European nations are adopting varied approaches. Germany requires parental consent for minors aged 13-16, Italy mandates parental approval for those under 14, and Norway proposes raising the consent age from 13 to 15. The European Parliament has advocated for a harmonized EU digital age limit of 16 for social media access, though this resolution remains non-binding.

Asian responses demonstrate regional diversity. China has implemented a comprehensive ‘minor mode’ program with device-level restrictions and app-specific screen time limitations based on age. India’s tourist state Goa is evaluating restrictions mirroring Australia’s approach, signaling potential nationwide implications.

The United States maintains its Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act prohibiting data collection from children under 13 without parental consent, though state-level initiatives for broader restrictions have faced legal challenges on free speech grounds.

Despite tech industry self-regulation requiring users to be at least 13, child protection advocates argue these measures prove insufficient. Official European data reveals significant numbers of children under 13 maintain active social media accounts, highlighting the enforcement challenges facing these new regulatory frameworks.

At a prominent fashion showcase in Ghana, 33-year-old model and writer Abena Christine Jon’el commanded attention not merely through her presence on the catwalk, but through her powerful statement about disability visibility. Her prosthetic leg, elegantly wrapped in vibrant African kente cloth, became both a cultural symbol and a declaration of identity during last month’s Rhythms on the Runway event in Accra.

Abena’s journey to the runway began decades earlier when a rare rhabdomyosarcoma tumor appeared on her right calf at age two. Faced with the impossible choice between radiation treatment that might leave her wheelchair-dependent or amputation, her mother chose the latter. “It was the best decision she could have made,” Abena affirms without hesitation, speaking from a restaurant in Ghana’s capital surrounded by friends and family.

Her early life in Chicago was shaped by treatment and recovery, with movement becoming both a measure of survival and a means of rebuilding confidence. Contrary to stereotypical narratives of inspirational disabled children, Abena describes herself as “loud, a little black girl running around on one leg” who refused to be pushed around despite academic struggles.

This unapologetic authenticity became her professional strength. After working as a poet and public speaker in the US, a transformative visit to Ghana’s Assin Manso slave river site in 2021 triggered what she describes as “a moment that rearranged my entire understanding of myself.” The profound connection to her ancestral land led to her permanent relocation just three months later, despite experiencing deep depression upon initially leaving Ghana.

Now embracing her identity as “Ghanaian by ancestry and adoption,” Abena has found belonging through a Ghanaian mother who introduces her as her own daughter. Her advocacy work has shifted focus to addressing the stark contrast between disability representation in the US and Ghana. While acknowledging America’s imperfect progress toward inclusion, she notes that Ghana remains at the beginning of this journey—not from lack of compassion, but from lack of representation.

“In Ghana, disabled people have not been widely showcased in a positive light,” she explains. “So stigma thrives. People do not see us in powerful or beautiful or joyful positions, they see us only in struggle.”

Her runway appearance marked a deliberate intervention in this narrative. After directly approaching event organizers, Abena understood her presence would force a long-delayed conversation about inclusion. The resulting moment became one of the evening’s most discussed highlights, with Ghana’s Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie noting that “her strength showed right through, speaking volumes.”

Fashion show organizer Shirley Emma Tibilla described Abena’s walk as “a powerful affirmation that talent, beauty, and confidence know no limitations,” while entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng celebrated it as demonstrating “what true inclusion looks like.”

For Abena, the applause mattered less than the message: disabled people were not mere spectators but center stage. Standing at the intersection of identity, disability, heritage and fashion, she represents a new path forward for Ghana—one where inclusion is boldly demanded rather than quietly suggested.

Her journey from cancer patient to cultural icon represents not just survival but reclamation: of identity, mobility, belonging, and place in a country that “fought for me before I even stepped foot here.” Whether on runways, behind microphones, or mentoring young amputees, Abena refuses to dim her light—or let others like her be dimmed.

As she states definitively: “Disability is not a limitation. Having a disability is not what makes you disabled. Lack of support, lack of accessibility—that is what disables you.”

Dubai has significantly enhanced its religious infrastructure through the inauguration of 29 new mosques in 2025, representing a major development in community facilities. The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department oversaw this Dh250 million project, creating capacity for approximately 24,000 worshippers across 28 different areas of the emirate.

This expansion forms part of a comprehensive strategy to accommodate Dubai’s growing population and their religious needs. Beyond the completed structures, the department has allocated 56 land plots across 37 areas for future mosque construction. Simultaneously, 53 additional mosques are currently under development with an investment of Dh480 million, projected to accommodate 32,000 worshippers upon completion across 36 locations.

The infrastructure expansion has prompted innovative solutions to manage increased foot traffic. Recognizing parking challenges during peak prayer times, particularly on Fridays, Dubai has implemented a reserved parking system for imams and muezzins to ensure uninterrupted access for religious leaders.

In August 2025, Dubai introduced a sophisticated parking management system featuring new M and MP parking signs at mosque facilities. This initiative, part of Parkin’s managed parking system, affects over 2,100 parking spaces across 59 mosques. While implementing paid parking, the system maintains free access during prayer times, balancing revenue generation with religious accommodation.

This dual approach of physical infrastructure expansion and smart management solutions demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to both religious accessibility and urban planning efficiency, addressing the needs of worshippers while maintaining orderly urban development.