NEWS BULLETIN [FEB 24, 2014]

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.

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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