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Our biweekly news bulletin on issues related to international women's health and human rights. Click on the headlines to read the full story. Nigeria abducted schoolgirls: Malala Yousafzai urges action May 7th (BBC News) Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani women’s education campaigner who survived a shooting by Taliban insurgents, urges the world to not stay silent over the abduction of 200 girls in Nigeria. These girls were kidnapped over three weeks ago by Islamist Boko Haram militants who are strongly against women’s education. The international community has taken action action working to find these girls, including dispatching teams of experts to the country, organizing campaigns such as #BringBackOurGirls, and providing support from international intelligence and satellite services. Maternal deaths in childbirth rise in the US May 2, 2014 (The Washington Post) The United States is one of eight countries in the world that had an increasing rate of maternal mortality. This is most likely due to an increase in the number of pregnant women with diseases, underreported and mischaracterized maternal death reports, and risky pregnancies. Regardless, the United States maternal death rates is almost at the highest in a quarter of a century. Report on global maternal deaths: United Nations agencies report steady progress in saving mothers’ lives (WHO, May 6, 2014) Maternal mortality down 45% globally, but 33 women an hour are still dying May 7, 2014 (By Leila Haddou, The Guardian) A recent WHO study reports steady progress in maternal deaths; in fact, there has been a 45% reduction in maternal deaths since 1990. Although this is promising, there are still many hundreds of thousands of women dying worldwide due to maternal mortalities. This is primarily due to pre-existing medical conditions including HIV, malaria, obesity, and diabetes as well as death from severe bleeding in childbirth. These articles describe many of the causes of maternal deaths, provides data on the countries with highest maternal deaths, and articulates some preventative measures. Education Protects Women From Abuse May 15, 2014, By Olga Khazan (The Atlantic) This article, in response to the kidnapping of nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls, discusses reasons for why extremists are opposed to empowered women. It cites research that educating women reduces sexual violence, where each additional year of schooling leads to a 1% increase among women who refuse forced sex with their partner and lowers violence by up to 36%. Unfortunately, the Boko Haram kidnapping could lead to Nigerian girls being nervous about attending class, but the article emphasizes that it’s crucial to change social norms and laws in countries with domestic violence. This could be done by partnering with men’s groups to lead to a paradigm change concerning “acceptable” violence against women. Closing Japan Gender Gap May Boost GDP 13%, Goldman Says May 6, 2014 (Bloomberg) Japan is currently working to increase women’s participation in the workforce. According to Goldman Sachs Group, if the gender employment gap were to close and women were to work equally to men, the country’s workforce would increase by as much as 13%. Women currently make up 62.5% of the labor force, which is low in comparison to the majority of other countries across the world, particularly in leadership positions. Toyin Saraki, Isha Sesay, others pledge to inspire next generation of women May 6, 2014 (The Guardian) This May, the Women Inspiration & Enterprise (WIE) Africa Symposium was held in Lagos. The symposium was led by the founder of WIE, Toyin Saraki, and businesswoman Bola Adesola; additionally, it featured many other inspiring women in media, design, television, and philanthropy. The theme of the conference was “The Global Leader” and the aim was to inspire women to shape the “Africa of tomorrow” and change perceptions of women in Africa. A Point Of View: The Paradox of growing old May 9, 2014 (BBC News) In this article, Mary Beard reflects on the way the elderly are treated in society. She analyzes the many faces of aging, where on the one hand, people age in a relatively healthy and affluent process while on the other hand, aging is a long decline to death. Beard also discusses the role of a caregiver in society and causes readers to reflect upon their treatment of the elderly. Boxer, Menendez, Collins, Kirk, Shaheen Introduce International Violence Against Women Act May 8, 2014 (Press Release from U.S. Senator Boxer) California Senator Barbara Boxer is among a group of senators to introduce the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) that makes reducing the levels of violence against women and girls across the globe a US diplomatic priority. This legislation was catalyzed as a result of the recent kidnapping of Nigerian school girls, and works to empower and stop violence against women. The act would, among other things, require the development of a 5 year US global strategy, authorize the US assistance to respond to violence against women and girls, and codify in law many pre-existing acts combatting women’s violence. Indonesian gang-raped women could be caned for breaking religious laws May 6, 2014 (The Independent) An Indonesian woman was brutally gang raped as a punishment for having an affair with a married man. However, this sexual assault is not being taken into her punishment for her crime, and officials are currently determining her punishment, which would likely be caning. Canada orders extradition to India over bride killing May 9, 2014 (BBC News) Fourteen years ago, a Canadian woman was allegedly killed in an “honor killing;” now, officials are seeking justice. The mother and uncle of the murdered women have been extradited to India to stand in trial for this murder, which authorities believe was due to familial anger that the women had secretly married another man rather than the older man her family had reportedly preferred. Indian Court Says Forced Marital Sex Is Not Rape May 12, 2014 (By Malavika Vyawahare, The New York Times) A recent Delhi court ruled that sex between a husband and wife, “even if forcible, is not rape.” Women’s rights activists have been demanding to make marital rape a crime for years, and this recent ruling (in response to a woman seeking the criminalization of her husband who forced her into sex) will bring awareness to the table that forced sex in marriage exists. Female genital mutilation parties being held in UK, MP told May 8, 2014 (The Guardian) This article describes how health care experts have recently been reporting to British Member of Parliament that female genital mutilation parties are being held across the United Kingdom. In these parties, cutters are flowing into Britain and operate on as many as a dozen girls at one time. What complicates the situation is that by the time the place are alerted, cutters are already on the way back to their home country. Authorities are struggling with ways to cope with these crimes. US female genital mutilation petition collects nearly 37,000 signatures May 15, 2014 (The Guardian) 24 year-old Jaha Dukureh has created an online petition urging the United States to create a comprehensive plan to end FGM and to aid people who have been victims of this practice. The petition has collected more than 38,000 supporters since Thursday, and has been supported by UN secretary general Ban Ki - Moon. Although the US government outlawed FGM in 1996, hundreds of thousands of women are still thought to be affected by the crime. Op-eds & Events Op-Ed: Gender equality starts in childhood – with the chores
May 8, 2014 (By Lucy Fisher, The Guardian) A new law in Spain forces children to help with different household tasks. What makes this law revolutionary is that the tasks are the same regardless of gender. This gender neutral chore transformation gets rid of many gender stereotypes beginning at a young age, and demonstrates Spain’s commitment to enforcing gender equality beginning in childhood. EVENT: Women Water Seeds: Advocating for Women Empowerment May 5, 2014 (República) A new art exhibit in in Kathmandu titled “Women Water and Seed” highlights the leadership role that women play in farming communities. Organized by Australian artist Fern York, these works demonstrate “advocacy for feminism and human justice along with the conservation of mother nature.”
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We've compiled a series of articles related to women and health/medicine, development, law, culture and human rights. Click the headlines to view the original articles. You are welcome to share this news brief with friends. We would love to hear your feedback on the articles in the Piazza discussion forum.
Featured Column The Untold Story of the Ukrainian Revolution Foreign Policy in Focus (Natalia Karbowska) - February 27th, 2014 Anti-government protests have rocked Ukraine, where the government has responded with violence. In just a week, over 80 people were killed when the government cracked down. Many citizens are looking to try President Viktor Yanukovych [since deposed] on charges of mass murder. During the uprising, women refused to stand by the sidelines or defer to male activists by "working in the kitchen." Women broadly mobilized in support of the opposition, acting as lawyers, teaching self-defense courses, and braving government-sanctioned violence and the threat of arrest. Women in the Workplace & Economic Development 20 years of progress and challenges in women’s equality and empowerment - report Thomson Reuters Foundation (Lisa Anderson) - February 12th, 2014 A recent report from the United Nations Population Fund finds that, although women have gained rights in many countries, in no country do women have as much political or economic power as men and many challenges still remain. The report was released 20 years after the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development that “changed the face of women’s rights.” This article discusses many of the report’s positive and negative findings. Saudi Newspaper Appoints First Female Editor Wall Street Journal (Ahmed Al Omran) - February 17th, 2014 A Saudi Arabian English-language newspaper recently became the first Saudi newspaper with a female editor-in-chief when Somayya Jabarti took on the role last week. The former editor-in-chief of the newspaper appointed Jabarti and said, "It was not a question of gender but of merit that decided and earned her this opportunity." Politics Counts: Why ‘Women’s Issues’ Won’t Bridge the Gender Gap Wall Street Journal (Dante Chinni) - February 14th, 2014 This article has an informative chart that shows the issues that "should be an absolute priority for 2014" separated by gender. More women than men believed that increasing minimum wage and withdrawing almost all combat troops from Afghanistan qualified as absolute priorities, while more men than women believed that reforming intelligence system with more oversight should be a priority. "Women's empowerment, women's rights must be part of development agenda" Association For Women’s Rights in Development - AWID (Forum of Women’s NGOs of Kygryzstan) - February 24th, 2014 Forum of Women’s NGOs of Kyrgyzstan Statement to 58th Session on CSW. The Forum of Women’s NGOs of Kyrgyzstan is a non-profit that recently released a statement outlining many of the discriminations and discrepancies that women in Kyrgyzstan face. The statement continues to describe many changes that need to be implemented to empower women in Kyrgyzstan among which include political empowerment, education for girls, enforcement of anti-violence laws, the halt of bride kidnapping, and polygamy. Sustainable Development Goals: Where Do Gender Equality and Women’s Rights Stand? Association For Women’s Rights in Development - AWID (Alejandra Scampini) - February 28th, 2014 AWID takes a close look at to what extent a series of conversations between governments and civil societies about sustainable development goals have considered women's rights and gender equity. Law & Policy Hamid Karzai orders changes to draft law amid fears for Afghan women The Guardian (Emma Graham- Harrison) - February 17th, 2014 President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, has listened to protestors who are against the newly proposed Afghani law that would prevent relatives of victims of domestic violence from testifying in court. Karzai has "backed away from [the] law" and has decided that the law must be amended. Fighting for Women’s Rights in Swat Valley France 24 (Taha Siddiqui) - February 27th, 2014 In one region of Taliban-controlled Pakistan women are standing up against the existing practice of elderly men controlling justice and enforcing the law. Women have formed their own justice system, known as the jirga, so that women's legal issues, such as those regarding honor killings and dowry, are no longer resolved by men alone. Rollback of Women’s Rights: Not Just in Afghanistan National Geographic (Eve Conant) - February 20th, 2014 In Afghanistan, 87% of women have experienced violence and only 2% own land. This article details some of the rollbacks of women's rights in the Arab world, including the new controversial domestic violence law in Afghanistan that prevents relatives of a battered woman to testify on her behalf in court even if they witnessed the crime. The article also describes a series of new Indonesian laws that require that women wear the hijab, ban them from straddling motorcycle, and legalize FGM. Virginity tests have also been proposed in Indonesia. Women’s Rights Advance in Morocco Israel National News (Dalit Halevy, Tova Dvorin) - February 24th, 2014 A women's rights advance happened in Morocco when the government banned a loophole in the law that previously allowed men guilty of sexual assault to girls under 18 to escape jail time if they married their victim. The suicide of one such 16 year old girl who were forced to marry her attacker prompted the changes to the law. South Africa’s Law to Stop Hate Crimes Against Gays Association for Women’s Rights in Development - AWID (IPS News) - FEbruary 14th, 2014 In South Africa, some lesbians fear becoming victims of "corrective rape," during which men rape lesbians in the name of making them straight. A new policy called the "Policy Framework on Combating Hate Crimes, Hate Speech and Unfair Discrimination" will be the foundation for a new law that will punish hate crimes, including those against the LGBT community and racial attacks. Violence Against Women and Sexual Minorities For Defying Village Rules in India, A Penalty of Rape Wall Street Journal (Preetika Rana) - February 20th, 2014 A village chief and 12 other villagers raped a local woman when they learned about her plans to marry a Muslim man who was not a part of their community. The article describes how this "rough justice" is common across many parts of rural India as a means to "enforce traditional social norms." The woman was also made to pay a $800 fine for wanting to marry outside of the community. One man from the same village stated, "I think it's a very lenient punishment for the crime they committed." He also believes that the woman faked the rape and that she "should have been prepared to face the consequences of having relations with a man outside her community." Sri Lanka Denounces Push to Open War Inquiry New York Times (Gardiner Harris and Dharisha Bastians) - February 25th, 2014 The Sri Lankan government recently denied the UNHCR's call for an "independent international investigation" regarding international war crimes committed in Sri Lanka. Increased sexual violence in the northern part of Sri Lanka was among the issues that the UNHCR wanted to investigate. Reproductive Health Many in China Can Now Have a Second Child, but Say No New York Times (Dan Levin) - February 25th, 2014 Due to the rising cost of childrearing, many families are not expressing interest in having more children, despite the changes to the One Child Policy which would allow them to do so. The new policy enables married couples in which just one parent (instead of both) is an only child to have a second baby. While the policy enables between 5-20 million couples to have more kids, only about half are planning to do so according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Seven months pregnant and working in the fields BBC News (Sonia Narang) - February 23rd, 2014 This article discusses the issue of pregnant women in Nepal having to perform intense agricultural work throughout their pregnancy. Although maternal mortality has been decreasing in the country, it is still common for women to perform strenuous labor throughout their pregnancy, which both negatively impacts women’s health as well as the health of the unborn baby. Although husbands are beginning to notice this detrimental impact on their children’s health, in many communities, labour continues to define women’s contribution to society; thus, pregnant women feel responsible to continue to work and improve their family’s status. Secret Societies Make Liberia One of the Hardest Places to End FGM VOA News (Emma Batha) - February 7th, 2014 Female gential mutilation (FGM) is an ancient and engrained part of Liberian culture. Many FGMs are organized and led by Sande, a woman's secret society that has tremendous power within the country. Their power, influence, and political clout hinders other leaders and journalists to speak out against these human rights violations, for in this country where 2/3rds of women have been cut, speaking out has even led to death threats. Many activists are therefore shifting their advocacy efforts to counties within Liberia that are not as influenced by Sande. Op-ed The End of the “Developing World” The New York Times (Daya Olopade) - February 28th, 2014 This opinion piece discusses why describing countries as ‘developing’ or ‘developed’ is no longer useful. Rather, it argues that we should describe the world as “fat” or “lean.” Countries that are “lean” are those which keep scarcity in mind regarding consumption and work to be innovative due to limited resources. On the other hand, “fat” economies are surrounded by abundance and plenty. This new description of countries challenges the preconceived notion of “impoverished” and “hopeless” developing countries that should follow developed, “fat” economies; rather, this new terminology embraces “lean” economies’ ability to be efficient and innovative with limited resources. This bulletin is a publication of International Women's Health & Human Rights (IWHHR). It was prepared by Ashley Jowell, Lara Mitra and Kevin Hsu. For more information, please visit www.internationalwomenshealth.org We've compiled a series of articles related to women and health/medicine, development, law, culture and human rights. Click the headlines to view the original articles.
You are welcome to share this news brief with friends. We would love to hear your feedback on the articles in the Piazza discussion forum. Equality UN Report Says Progress for Women is Unequal The New York Times (Somini Sengupta) -- February 12th, 2014 A recent UN report states that although there has been progress over the past twenty years worldwide in women’s health and rights, these advancements have been “unequal and fragmented” and occur dramatically more often in wealthy countries. Women in poor countries and poor women in wealthy countries have not had such progress , and this is exacerbated by societal ignoring of gender inequality. For more information on the report, visit UN's press release. Demanding Public Transportation in Saudi Arabia, Women Drive Home A Point Association for Women’s Rights in Development (Arab News) – February 11th, 2014 Saudi Arabian women who work far away from their homes and currently pay very high transportation costs (from hiring private drivers or using taxis) demand a public transportation system so that they can travel between home and work in an affordable way Economic Development & the Workplace Hong Kong Court Denies Refugees Right to Work Wall Street Journal (Te-Pink Chen) – February 18th, 2014 This article describes Hong Kong's recent decision to deny refugees living there the right to work. Many of the refugees already live in poverty, and this law could worsen their conditions. Furthermore, it has sparked debate over whether the "right to work" is a fundamental human right. After Farmers Commit Suicide, Debts Fall on Families in India The New York Times (Ellen Barry) – February 22nd, 2014 This article describes the cycle of debt and poverty for rural farmers in India. As suicides among male farmers rise, more and more wives are left with the burden of the family's debt. Reproductive Health Forced Sterilization and Impunity in Peru Association for Women’s Rights in Development (Open Democracy) – February 14th, 2014 This article describes the history of forced sterilization in Peru. Between 1995-2000 300,000 women were forcibly sterilized by the government; most of these women were poor and lived in rural communities and did not speak Spanish or understand the implications of what was happening to them. Recently, the case against the government in power at the time was dismissed for a second time. And Surrogacy Makes 3: In New York, a Push for Compensated Surrogacy New York Times (Anemona Hartocollis) – February 19th, 2014 This article describes a gay couple's experience using a surrogate to have a child. One of the men is a New York senator, who is making strides to overturn a law in New York that makes compensated surrogacy illegal in the state. Those in favor of legalizing compensated surrogacy argue that doing so would make surrogacy more widely available and reduce the costs (currently roughly 100,000 dollars per baby). Violence against Women Somalia: Women Shouldn’t Live In Fear of Rape Association for Women’s Rights in Development (Human Rights Watch) – February 19th, 2014 Human Rights Watch released a report called "Here, Rape is Normal: A Five-Point Plan to Curtail Sexual Violence in Somalia" which describes how the Somali government and international agencies can reduce rape in Somalia. The report includes 27 interviews of women who have been raped since August 2012. Beyond Investing In Women And Girls: An In-depth Look At The Funding Landscape For Women’s Rights And The Powerful Impact Of Resources In The Hands Of Women’s Organizations Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) – February 21st, 2014 AWID just completed part three of a new research project that "provides an in-depth analysis of the current funding trends and factors impacting women’s rights organizing, the financial status of women’s organizations around the world, and the collective impact of women’s rights organizations.” The study looks at ways the international community can support women’s organizations in strategic ways to empower women to advance women’s rights. This bulletin is a publication of International Women's Health & Human Rights (IWHHR). It was prepared by Ashley Jowell, Lara Mitra and Kevin Hsu. For more information, please visit www.internationalwomenshealth.org International Women’s Health & Human Rights
We've compiled a series of articles related to women and health/medicine, development, law, culture and human rights. Click the headlines to view the original articles. You are welcome to share this news brief with friends. We would love to hear your feedback on the articles in the Piazza discussion forum. New Afghanistan Law to Silence Victims of Violence Against Women The Guardian (Emma Graham-Harrison) – February 4th 2014 A new law in Afghanistan prevents family members from testifying against each other on issues regarding domestic violence. Because most violence against women takes place in the home, this new law, which has been passed by parliament but not yet signed by President Karzai, makes it nearly impossible for perpetrators of violence to be punished for their crime. Mobile Phone Usage Explodes in Africa, Spurring Innovation PBS News (Martin Seemungal) – February 15th, 2014 This fascinating news update describes the incredible impact and capability of the mobile phone in Kenya. The mobile phone’s ability to impact women, particularly on the use of SMS texts between a midwife and pregnant mothers as well as reducing the reliance of women upon middlemen, is incredibly inspiring and highlights the positive impact technology can have. Vast Study Casts Doubts on Value of Mammograms New York Times (Gina Kolata) – February 12th, 2014 A recent study of 90,000 women in Canada (which took over 25 years to complete) found that mortality rates of women who had breast exams and no mammogram and women who had breast exams and mammograms were the same. Thus, the study calls into question the effectiveness of mammograms. In fact, 1 in 5 of the women who received mammograms and were found to have cancer underwent treatment and/or medical procedures that were unnecessary, suggesting that sometimes mammograms can do more harm than good. U. N. Report Says Progress for Women is Unequal New York Times (Somini Sengupta) – February 12th, 2014 In the last two decades, women worldwide have fewer children, higher literacy, and are less likely to die while delivering babies. However, the improvements have disproportionately benefitted wealthy countries. In poor countries, childbirth is still the leading cause of death in women between 15-19, for example, and little overall progress has been made in women's health. Is Some Talk Too Gay for Singapore? Wall Street Journal (Chun Han Wong) – February 6th, 2014 Singapore's Health Promotion Board recently published an online brochure on sexuality, which sparked debate about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights in Singapore. Petitions have emerged, some calling upon the government to remove the brochure because it promotes homosexuality, and others applauding the brochure. In Pakistan, Valentines are Exchanged in Secret Washington Post (Naila Inayat) – February 13th, 2014 This article describes Valentine's Day in Pakistan, a country where the punishment for adultery is death and public displays of love are banned. Couples celebrate the holiday secretly and use the day as a "form of rebellion." Clinton launches data drive on women’s empowerment Washington Post (Associated Press) - February 13th, 2014 The Clinton Foundation, Gates Foundation and New York University are evaluating the progress of women's rights since the 1995 Beijing conference. The effort is spearheaded by Hillary Clinton, who wishes to obtain data that guides what needs to be done to increase female presence in education, politics, and the economy across the world. The president should clarify ‘Helms’ law to allow abortions for wars’ rape victims Washington Post (Brian Atwood and Peter Fenn) – Febrary 13th, 2014 The Helms Amendment of 1973 restricts the use of U.S. foreign aid for abortions "as a method of family planning." This opinion piece argues that because pregnancies that result from rape have nothing to do with family planning, the law should be clarified to allow foreign aid to help victims of rape, incest, and life-endangerment find resources for abortions. Women Who Are Refused Abortions More Likely to Face Poverty The Wire (Lucy Wescott) – February 14th, 2014 This article comments on the declining rate of abortions in the United States. Abortion rates have reached their lowest level since 1973. Some 50% of pregnancies in American women are unintended, but only 21% end in abortion. Women who have had a baby, but did not intend to, are three times more likely to be living in poverty compared to women who have undergone an abortion instead. Hong Kong’s Indentured Servants New York Times (Gratiane de Moustier) – February 13th, 2014 This opinion piece discusses women in Asia who travel outside of their homeland to work as domestic laborers abroad. Lack of regulation and laws regarding the rights of these women often leave them vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment. Kenya’s Battle To End Sex for Fish Trade BBC News (Mark Lowen) – February 17th, 2014 Women in Kenya have been negotiating with fishermen for generations. When buying the fish sold at markets, they pay half with currency and half with their bodies. This practice is gradually being eradicated as women are empowered through micro-enterprise business practices to own their own fishing boats. Spanish women protest against new laws limiting the availability of abortions The Independent (Alasdair Fotheringham) – February 16th, 2014 Women across Spain are protesting prospective new laws that would limit abortions to only rape victims or those under serious health risks. To protest this prospective law, women's rights activists are symbolically "registering their bodies as property" at offices across the country to demonstrate how this new law treats them as property and strips them of fundamental human rights. Activists claim that this law is emblematic of women's treatment for years in Spain, stemming from the authoritarian Francoist period, and although thousands of protests have occurred and regional parliaments have voted against the reforms, the ruling Partido Popular party remains committed to passing these restrictions. Embracing Shame: turning honour on its head Open Democracy (Heidi Basch-Harod) – February 14th, 2014 This article, authored by a participant in the International Women's Health and Human Rights open online course (MOOC), discusses the concept of “honour” in many societies, and how upholding “honour” leads to violations of women’s rights. Basch-Harod explores the growing number of both women and men in these communities who question pre-conceived notions of “honour” (particularly in the context of FGMs and forced marriages) and instead “embrace shame” and act in a truly moral fashion. This bulletin is a publication of International Women's Health & Human Rights (IWHHR). It was prepared by Ashley Jowell, Lara Mitra and Kevin Hsu. For more information, please visit www.internationalwomenshealth.org |
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