My area of interest is centered on francophone Africa, the status of minorities and immigrants in Europe & media biases. Raised in Madagascar, I hold a Master of Public Policy from Princeton University at the Woodrow Wilson School of International Affairs with a focus on international development & international relations and PhD in Medical Sciences from Purdue University. I can be found on twitter at twitter.com/lrakoto.
Latest posts by Lova Rakotomalala
French Activists Say If You Are Harassed or You See Harassment on the Street, Speak Up
One 2014 study revealed that 85% of women in Paris "have little faith" that anyone would come to their aide if they were assaulted on the metro.
A Little-Known Perspective on the Life of Homeless People in France—Their Own
"Why would a homeless person make a website? ...I will say that I am a computer programmer first and a homeless person second."
‘Let's Not Give In to Fear': An Interview With Hugues Lawson-Body, Photographer of Celebrities and Parisian Youth
"I try to photograph young people just as they are. They are just as important as the adult generation, yet they suffer from neglect and need to be inspired."
A Side-by-Side Look at Prison Life in France and Madagascar
The life of prisoners in Madagascar and France.
Poet and Activist Hanitr’Ony Discusses the Malagasy Language and Culture in a Changing World
An informal chat with the poet Hanitr'Ony on the Malagasy language and culture.
‘Barber Show’ Web Series Offers an Honest and Funny Glimpse of Paris's African Community
"The series shows an under-represented community. The aim was to show the cultural richness of this community."
From Madagascar, Four Poems on Impossible Love for Valentine's Day
"My whole heart has been driven wild as well, and refuses to forget. Silence remains around the one whom I love, but I continue to believe."
‘Improving Social Cohesion’ Through Dance, Art, and Gwen Rakotovao
Global Voices speaks to Gwen Rakotovao, whose whirlwind career as an artistic director, CEO, model, and author of children’s books has taken her all over the world.
The Nazi Plan to Relocate Jews to Madagascar, One of World War II's Forgotten ‘What Ifs’
Madagascar is not known for its role in World War II. Yet it was a central part of one of the darkest events of the war.
Defiant, Disappointed, and Mourning—Burkina Faso Remembers Victims of the January Attacks
Burkinabés are making a vow to resist, now and always, all forms of extremism and violence.
The African Legacy of Alan Rickman and the Harry Potter Series
Reducing the wide range of his talents to a few blockbusters doesn't do justice to Rickman's career, which involved supporting charities that benefited people all around the world.
The Tragic Rise of Child Abduction as a Business in Madagascar in 2015
"I would not wish such a nightmare on my worst enemy. The Malagasy population feels completely helpless in the face of this wave of children kidnapping."
The Francophone World's Uplifting Stories in 2015
We collect collects a few of the happy events you might have missed while distracted by so much of the gloom in 2015.
Mapping for Niger, as Told by One of the Project's Volunteers
The project faces limited logistical, financial, and human resources as well as a general ignorance of Open Data, making each activity realized a feat of volunteer passion and activism.
Following Hostage Crisis, Mali Celebrates Its Heroes and Gets Back to Work
Grateful for its heroes, Mali has already resumed its ordinary economic activities, ignoring the risk of more attacks and the national state of emergency (which is still in force).
The Best of Paris Shines Through During Its Worst of Times
"In times of adversity, the true character of a community shows through. To those offering #PorteOuverte, you make me proud to be a human."
The Crisis in Burundi Takes a Troubling Turn for the Worse
"...if the Burundian population remains poor, with all of the problems that come with a large population and a small territory, the country will always have violent cycles."
Sassou-Nguesso on the Path of Other African Presidents-for-Life After Congolese Referendum
Young citizens of Congo (Brazaville) protests the President Sassou-Nguesso's attempt to run for an additional term.
French Citizens Are Raising Their Voices for More Respect, Less Hate in Politics
"There is no longer anything to expect from those who govern us." Citizen movements want to take the lead in changing politics in France.
3 Keys to Understanding the Burkina Faso Coup
Learn who is behind the coup, what this has to do with upcoming elections and why all eyes are on citizen movements' reactions to the crisis.
Refugees Met with Generosity and Suspicion in France
Despite enduring fear and suspicion towards refugees, many citizens initiatives have been launched or scaled up in France to meet their needs.
