News Bulletin [June 12, 2014]

Our biweekly news bulletin on issues related to international women's health and human rights. Click on the headlines to read the full story.

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Violence Against Women

Indian minister criticises lax policing in gang-rape case
Jason Burke, The Guardian (May 30, 2014)

The rape of two girls and their consequent suicide in Katra, India has led the Indian government to pledge to set up a “rape crisis cell” to help women who have been sexually assaulted. Villagers across Katra protested the lack of police action, and their demonstrations have led to anger across the country for police laxity regarding violence against women. Rape is a huge problem in India: there is huge social stigma attached to rape, and violence is rising against women. A third of rape victims in the country are below the age of 18, clearly signaling a time for change and reform.


PHOTOS: In Some Places, This is What Happens When a Woman Turns Down a Marriage Proposal
Alexander Grove, Ryot

This compilation of shocking photos by photographer Emilio Morenatti documents the abuse that Pakistani women can receive when refusing to participate in arranged marriages. Morenatti published these photos with the aim of raising awareness about domestic violence as well as giving a voice to the victims of this abuse, who suffered from acid attacks.

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Economic & Political Rights

When will women achieve gender equality in leadership at work?
D.G. McCullough, The Guardian (June 4, 2014)

This article discusses gender inequality in women's leadership in the workforce. In American and European companies, men hold over 80% of executive committee positions.  One organization working to fix this imbalance is the global gender consulting firm 20-first, which believes corporate leaders, not just women themselves, should tackle the problem. The firm provides information and makes suggestions for improving this imbalance through steps such as manager education. The company recommends against the idea of “adapted women,” where women are asked to behave in a more masculine fashion. The CEO of 20-first says, "If companies want to balance, those in power must lead the change, reframe gender balance as a business not a women's issue."

Reclaiming the Commons for Gender and Economic Justice: Struggles and Movements in India
Ana Abelenda, AWID (June 6, 2014)

In India, women lack access to the “commons” which are natural as well as knowledge resources, culture, and heritage that are outside of the private domain that they are dependent on. This article argues that women that women need to work to reclaim these commons by recognizing their right to these resources and allowing them a process in deciding how to allocate these resources in order to get rid of gender inequality.

You Can’t Have it All: 40% of Women Professionals are “Hanging On By A Thread”
Cheryl Conner, Forbes (June 8, 2014)

A study by Megan Dalla Camina surveyed 1,000 American women professionals about their well-being. It found that 70% of women believe the concept of success at both home and work is a myth and are struggling to be both top professionals and run a household. However, the same is true for men who care for the home. Therefore, societies should think about the needs of today’s professionals and how to help them balance and organize the many facets of their lives.

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Features

What would a feminist Internet look like?
Rochelle Jones, AWID (May 30, 2014)

This past April, the Association for Progressive Communications held a global meeting on gender, sexuality, and the intent focusing on developing the understanding of what a feminist internet looks like. In this interview, AWID talks with a representative from APC about the symposium as well as their EROTICS project focusing on Sex, rights, and the internet. This research and work focuses on the concept of a “feminist internet” as well as getting rid of violations and human rights violations against women, misogyny, and sexism.


Engagement Féminin: Women, Education, and Contemporary Dance in West Africa
Emily Coates, Huffington Post (June 7, 2014)

Engagement Féminin is an initiative working to offer contemporary dance training to women across West Africa, a region of the world where dancing is primarily a male sport. Engagement Féminin is based in Burkina Faso, where women face many economic , social, and political challenges and discrimination. The article tells the story of Salimata Wologem, a member of Engagement Féminim and describes the author’s upcoming journey to Burkina Faso to help teach dance.